Having been within the recruitment game for a number of years, I can honestly say that it is one of those industries that can be incredibly rewarding and also incredibly frustrating! When I first entered the world of recruitment, I was given some words of wisdom that have rung true throughout my career – “recruitment can be a very thankless job”.

The role of a recruitment agency and consultant is to match the ‘right candidate’ to the ‘right role’. As we are the party in the middle, we work closely with clients and candidates and constantly seek open and honest communication from all involved. It is our responsibility to update candidates in regards to the process and to update clients on our search progress. Without open communication, the expectations of both parties cannot be met. We are guided by the information provided to us from both parties and therefore the more we know the more we can advise.

Unfortunately the upsetting and frustrating side of recruitment occurs when a strong relationship has not been established and open communication does not exist. In these situations candidates do not show up for interviews, decline a job offer or change their position requirements at the ‘11th hour’.

For candidates who are registered with an agency, please remember that the agency plays a very important role in securing you a position. So make sure you become your recruitment consultant’s best friend! You do not have to woo them or bribe them with gifts; you just have to ensure you form a strong professional relationship with them and work with an agency/consultant you trust! At the end of the day, you need to be comfortable and confident in the consultant, as they are the ones that have a say in the positions you are put forward to and represent you to potential employers.

If you do not attend an interview set up by your consultant or do not show up and commit to a temporary assignment, you are essentially burning your bridges for any future positions that may arise. This not only makes you look bad to a potential employer, but you are also seen in a negative light by your consultant. If you have a good working relationship with your consultant, you should be able to discuss your concerns/hesitations and voice that you are no longer interested in a position without reprimand!

If you don’t have good rapport with your consultant, or feel like they aren’t listening to your requirements, register with another agency. Your recruitment consultant should understand the type of work you are seeking, the type of work environment you wish to work in and your salary expectations. Ensure you stay in regular contact with your consultant, maintain open and honest communication and update them on any changes to your availability or requirements.

Remember, good recruitment consultants work in partnerships with the client and candidate and seek the best results for both parties – not themselves.

Written by Linda Lewin