Recruitment agencies

Find out how recruitment agencies can be part of your job search.

What are recruitment agencies?

They are agencies that help connect employers with job-seekers, streamlining the job-hunting process by matching candidates to suitable vacancies.

Employers may use an agency for all their recruitment, taking advantage of their expertise in recruitment support. Their roles may only be found on the recruitment agency site. 

Other employers may find agencies offer an effective way to recruit for specialist posts. This can be beneficial to you if you are interested in roles that require specific skills. 

Using recruitment agencies to find work can be an effective way of finding a broader range of opportunities. Recruitment agencies operate in a wide variety of industry sectors and advertise both temporary and permanent positions, so they can be used at any stage of your career. 

Types of recruitment agencies

Not all agencies are the same so it’s important to do your research and approach the right ones for you: 

  • Specialist graduate agencies - large employers outsource their graduate recruitment to these agencies, giving you access to opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise have known about.
  • Industry specific – they have insights into particular sectors and strong links with employers.
  • Generalised – offer roles at all levels. 

How does it work?

  1. Search the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) member directory to find an REC accredited member. You can search by sector, location or company name: 

    REC member directory

  2. Register with an agency either through their website, by email or by telephone – have your CV ready to submit.
  3. Attend a short interview with a recruiter to find out more about the roles you’re interested in. Dress smartly - it’s not a job interview, but go business casual or smart casual.
  4. Complete skills tests if required to assess your Ievel of literacy and IT proficiency.
  5. If the agency think you may be a suitable candidate for its client companies, they will add you to their database and contact you when relevant vacancies arise.
  6. Register with three to four agencies - although there is no limit to the number of agencies you can register with, it’s best to restrict yourself to a small number so you can build an active relationship with each one. 

  • Who pays them? In the UK it is illegal for an agency to charge you to help you find work. The employer on whose behalf they are recruiting pays them, not the applicant. Ask them for confirmation of this - are there fees, and if so what are they for?
  • Which employers do they recruit for? It is standard policy for many recruitment agencies to not name the employer that they are recruiting for. Ask them which employers and sectors they normally recruit for. This will help you decide if the agency is likely to advertise vacancies that appeal to you.
  • What will they do with your data? Before you can apply for the jobs they are advertising, many agencies ask you to sign up to their site, often by uploading your CV and other personal data. An agency’s website should state their policy on how they handle clients’ data. 

  • If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of an agency, you can look for them on the Companies House website, where all registered companies are listed:

    Companies House


Top tips

  • Keep in touch with the agency. Recruiters register new candidates on a daily basis so it’s advisable to check in every 10-14 days to build a rapport with your recruiter. That way, your name will spring to mind when new opportunities come up.
  • Respond promptly when they contact you – timing can be crucial so make sure you get back to them quickly or you might miss out.
  • Keep an open mind – if you’re put forward for an interview that isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, don’t dismiss it -  it could be a stepping stone to your future career.
  • Use agencies as a part of your job-hunting strategy, not as your sole approach. 

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