Newcastle University

Recruitment Agencies

What are recruitment agencies and why use them?

Recruitment agencies manage the recruitment process for organisations and companies who have chosen to outsource vacancies. Agencies can provide an additional source of employment opportunities during your job hunt. Recruitment consultants work to match your skills and qualities to suitable roles.

How does the recruitment process work?

    1. Register with an agency (face to face or online).

    2. Upload or send your CV.

    3. An initial interview with the agency to assess your aptitudes and types of work you are looking for.

    4. The agency matches your skills to suitable jobs.

    5. Interviews with potential employers.

    6. Hopefully, a job!

Useful tips

Make sure you know your rights as an agency worker - read this leaflet from the Trades Union Congress on Agency Workers Rights.

• Using a recruitment agency is not the easy option – you can’t sit back whilst they find you a job! You need to clearly communicate through your CV and in the initial interview what skills, qualities and abilities you possess and the type of work you want.
• You are under no obligation to accept a role if you think it is unsuitable.
• Never pay for a recruitment agency’s services, particularly if they offer to overhaul your CV (remember, the Careers Service will check it for FREE).
• Don’t be afraid to accept temporary work. It is often offered by agencies and may enhance your CV by providing you with skills and experience required for a permanent position
• Be proactive and keep in contact with the agency – giving a good impression should spur the agency into action and increase your chances of finding the right job!
• If you are concerned about using a particular agency, you might want to check if they are a member of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).
• AllAboutCareers offers additional advice on using recruitment agencies.
  

Finding an agency

Resources to help you look for recruitment agencies:

• REC Directory of Members - search for a member agency by specialism or UK region.
• Agency Central - detailed search facility for agencies by sector, level of skill and region.
• The Careers Service's Exploring Occupations pages include sector-specific recruitment agencies.
• Yell.com - search for recruitment agencies by location.
• North East Graduate Directory includes details of recruitment agencies in the North East.
• The Evening Chronicle includes a jobs supplement every Thursday, which lists local recruitment agencies on its back page.