The recruitment industry works with candidates to help them gain employment (and with employers to fill their vacancies). It can be quite a complex industry, so here are some candidate FAQs to help you out, including what the recruitment industry does and how it works. 

Read on to find out more about this booming industry.

What does a recruitment agency do?

To put it simply a recruitment agency works with both clients and candidates. For their clients they will find job-seekers to fill vacant roles. For their candidates they will find a new role or help with the next steps in their career path. 

However, behind the scenes there is really a lot more to it. Read on!

What does a recruitment consultant do?

A recruitment consultant builds relationships. They are your ultimate people person. Excellent at reading people and matching that person with a role.

They help job seekers (or candidates) by sourcing them for prospective employers, updating their resumes and running job interviews.

A typical day in a recruitment office will include reading through resumes, conducting phone screenings with candidates, sorting through applications and interviewing qualified candidates. Then of course passing all this information on to their clients. A recruiter is typically always speaking to someone!

A consultant must be able to accurately and effectively assess skills, experience, expectations for salary and culture fit on behalf of their candidates. 

How does a recruitment agency help me find work?

Your recruitment consultant will do a skills-based assessment and match you with potential employers. The recruiter will discuss your desired role and salary, before talking to the hiring manager in order to make sure it's a good fit for both of you. Plus, if there's not a suitable opportunity, they'll look for another one or get in touch with other agencies who may be able to help.

Your consultant will have access to a huge range of opportunities and they'll find one that matches your skills, experience and preferred salary. They might arrange an informal meeting or invite you in for an interview straight away.

Our team also is up to date on industry trends so we will ensure to always get you the best suited opportunity for you.

Do recruiters charge their candidates?

Of course not!

Is it just about commission?

Recruiters are people too and yes earning commission on a placement is great, however it certainly is not everything. The best recruiter wants to be busy and wants repeat business. They get this by providing the best service possible. In this industry word of mouth referrals are huge!  

Do recruitment agencies help with CV writing?

In short, yes we do. But we don’t do it for you! Here at Cox Purtell, we can help you improve your CV, and other documents if required.

We also provide interview coaching and a lot of collateral on interviewing techniques, and after your interview with the employer, you’ll get feedback.

Can I just do it myself?

You can do anything. However, we do it better. Try it out.

We may know what you should be doing after a discussion about your skill set and set you on a path you hadn’t considered!

Why is the recruitment industry experiencing so busy right now?

There are so many reasons why it’s a busy time for recruiters. Many candidates are bored of current roles, experiencing burn our pr just after a change. They also want to make sure their next role is the right one and a recruiter is often your best bet to ensure this is the case.

How can I help a recruiter help me?

By presenting yourself honestly. Tell the recruiter your exact skill set, what you’re looking for and what makes you feel fulfilled in a role. Anything other than honestly can lead you into a role you don’t