Experiences of recruitment agencies differ widely and what it comes down to, at the end of the day, is the individual agency and the way the team deals with its clients. A great recruitment agency can make the process of fitting applicants to roles simple and swift for everyone involved – it’s the key to ensuring smooth transitions and great matches. So, what makes a good recruitment agency and how do you find one?

A personable approach 

Dealing with people is one of the key requirements for any recruitment agency and the ability to do that well is what sets a good agency apart from a less effective one. Strong communication that strikes a balance between informative and salesy is key – you need a team that is able to get its candidates placed, as well as securing the best people for its roles, but one that isn’t too pushy or overbearing, and knows when to stop.

Expertise

Recruitment agency expertise is demonstrated in many forms, from being able to provide in-depth feedback on how to make a CV shine, to interview preparation. A good recruitment agency has the skills to help candidates get seen – the team should know what an employer is looking for and how to present a candidate in the best possible light.

Industry experience

There is simply no substitute for industry experience, particularly for those working in niche sectors. One of the principal qualities of a good agency is that the team will have a thorough understanding of the industry and the roles available within it. Strong relationships are essential for a good recruitment agency, with the key employers in an industry, as well as niche employers, other recruiters and a wide range of candidates.

PMA 

Positive Mental Attitude – it may be something of a cliché but working with a recruitment team with a negative attitude feels like (and often is) a complete waste of time and effort. Recruiters should be motivating and enthusiastic, looking for opportunities rather than focusing on obstacles and problems.

Longevity

Recruitment agencies that have established longevity are usually able to offer most of the above as standard. Choose a recruiter that has created standing in the industry over a number of years but has not become such a stalwart that it is stuck in its ways – the best recruitment agencies are able to offer the experience of a well-established business with the enthusiasm and ideas of a brand new agency.

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