Recruitment Agencies

Managing your recruitment process

Recruitment agencies manage the recruitment process for organisations and companies. They are paid by an employer to find the right candidate for a role.

You can use recruitment websites to search and apply for specific roles or register with an agency. They can then add you to their database to be matched with suitable vacancies.

Recruitment consultants also approach potential candidates directly. They source candidates with specific skills and experience by searching on LinkedIn or CV Library.

Joining a recruitment agency

The process for joining a recruitment agency is:

Send in or upload your CV
You will be invited to a meeting where a recruitment consultant will ask about your skills and experience. They will also ask about the types of roles you are looking for. This meeting could be in-person, online or by phone.

What happens next?

If the recruitment consultant thinks that you are a good match for a position, they’ll send your CV to the employer.
If you’re offered an interview by the company, consultants can help with interview preparation and advice on what the employer is looking for.

You should never have to pay to use a recruitment agency. They may charge a fee to review and develop your CV, however - remember, the Careers Service provides this service for free.

You don’t have to accept a job from an agency if you think it is unsuitable – ask lots of questions to find out more about the role.

It’s worth considering temporary work this can enhance your CV by providing you with the right skills and experience for a permanent position.

Finding an agency

Recruitment agencies cover a wide range of industries. They advertise vacancies for both temporary and permanent positions. Some specialise in specific sectors such as science or engineering. Others focus on specific roles, such as teaching or administration.

There are a few agencies which focus on graduate or entry-level opportunities. Others advertise roles at a more experienced level. It’s important to find ones which are relevant for you.

Specialist agencies have in-depth knowledge of their industry. They can provide valuable advice on what employers are looking for. You can find links to some specialist recruitment agencies in our Explore Occupations pages.

Recruitment agencies can also be helpful if you’re looking for local, part-time work. Areas such as hospitality and catering, admin and clerical, and healthcare often recruit through an agency. There are several agencies in Newcastle. This includes small independents to national chains such as Reed and Manpower.

To find recruitment agencies for both graduate and part-time opportunities:

MyCareer – click on ‘Organisations’ under the Search tab and select ‘recruitment’ under Occupational Areas
REC: Member directory - search for a member agency by specialism or UK region
Yell.com – UK business directory. Search using ‘recruitment consultancy’ as a keyword to find agencies in a particular location

Top tips

Research each agency before registering. Check if they’re a member of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, the professional body for the UK recruitment industry.
Be proactive and keep in contact with the agency. Giving a good impression and building a rapport with them can help increase your chances of finding the right job.
Regularly review the vacancies posted on the agency’s site and ask to be considered for the ones that interest you.
Update your CV regularly. If you’re applying for a specific vacancy on a recruitment site, make sure you tailor your CV and covering letter to ensure that they’re relevant to the role.
Ask about the current job market and how employers will view your qualifications and experience.
Be flexible – both in terms of the roles you’re applying to and with your availability for interviews, to increase your chances.
Research the role and company before any interview and think about how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the position. See Preparing for interviews for advice.
Don’t rely exclusively on recruitment agencies to find a job – they should be used as just one of your methods for job searching.