Finding the Right Recruiter
By
Zona McManusA key component of the job search strategy
is accessing the right recruitment or search consultant, who will listen and
understand your employment requirements and partner with you during your job
search.
When looking for recruiters, keep in mind
that there are two types of consultants:
Search Consultants or “Headhunters”
Headhunters work on a retained basis,
charging their client (the employer) a fee based on the salary of the
position to be filled.
Contacting a headhunter who deals with
your particular field of expertise can be difficult, as they usually
prefer to initiate contact themselves. When looking for an individual with
specific skills and attributes, the headhunter will know who you are and
where to find you.
Some headhunters focus on specific
markets, while others are generalists who deal with vacancies across a
broad range of industries.
Headhunters focus on senior level
appointments over the $150k salary bracket.
A good headhunter will get referrals to
help family, friends and colleagues from candidates they have successfully
placed.
They do not respond to unsolicited
CV/resumes, unless you are particularly suitable for a position they are
handing at that moment in time. They may refer you to someone else within
the industry who might be able to help you.
Recruitment Consultants
These consultants work on a contingent
basis, and are only paid once they have successfully filled the position
with a suitable candidate.
They place advertisements in newspapers,
trade publications and the Internet for candidates
Some recruitment consultants are
generalists, whilst others have an industry or position focus.
They normally deal with positions over
the $25k salary range.
Generally, they will accept unsolicited
CV/resumes.
Identifying Recruitment Consultants
Networking is essential to identifying the
key recruitment consultants most relevant to you and your job search.
The most effective ways to identify
appropriate and relevant consultants include:
Asking family, friends, former work
colleagues and acquaintances for a referral to a specific individual
recruitment consultant, not just a recruitment agency.
Speaking to someone within your previous
employer’s Human Resource Department and asking who they have worked with
and who would they recommend.
Making “Which recruitment consultant
working in this field have you been particularly impressed with?” one
of your networking questions.
Looking at job advertisements in your
local and national newspapers to identify recruitment consultants in your
field.
Searching the yellow and white pages to
identify recruitment agencies by industry specialization.
Checking website job boards for
advertisements by recruitment agencies in your particular field of
interest and identifying individual recruitment consultants contact
details
ASSOCIATIONS
Associations exist around the world to help
you find contact details for recruitment companies and consultants. In
Australia and New Zealand, for instance, the RCSA (Recruitment Consulting
Service Association) is the professional body for the recruitment
profession, and can put you in contact with their corporate or individual
members. More information can be found by contacting RCSA at:
RCSA
P O Box 18028
Collins Street East
MELBOURNE
VICTORIA
8003
Tel: +61 3 9663 0555
Fax: +61 3 9663 5099
Email:
info@rcsa.com.au
Website:
http://www.rcsa.com.au
There are also various directories of
recruiters published. One example is Recruitment Extra, an
independently-owned, monthly trade publication for the recruitment industry
that publishes an annual directory of recruitment firms and industry
suppliers for Australia. You can subscribe to the magazine or purchase a
yearbook from:
Lesley Horsburgh
Recruitment Extra
78 Canberra Street
Randwick
SYDNEY
NSW
20
Tel: +61 2 9399 3905
Fax: +61 2 9399 3506
Email:
loudhouse@optusnet.com.au
Regardless of where you are around the
world, the right recruiter can help you find the right job opportunity.
Knowing who to contact is the first step; the next step is up to you!
About Author
Zona McManus, FREC, MAACC, MAACMP, has over 5 years experience in the recruitment sector in Australia. Her professional qualifications include the IEC Foundation Vocational Award in Employment Agency Practice; a Fellowship in the Recruitment & Employment Confederation UK; Membership in the Australian Association of Career Counsellors; and Membership in the Asian Association of Career Management Professionals. As Director of Career Directions, she helps people assess their capabilities and investigate prospective markets for their talents; works with people who want to change their career directions, or who have been laid off; and assists people who want a career check-up to see if they’re getting the best possible rewards from their work. She can be contacted at
zmcmanus@careerdirections.com.au.
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