There is a huge
recruitment industry in the UK, and recruitment agencies in just
about every imaginable sector. There are common elements to all types
of work in recruitment, but there is a range of options within the
industry in terms of the type of recruitment agency that you can find
yourself working for. This article explains some of the principal
types of agencies, with a description of some of their main features
for you as an employee.
Large
multinational recruitment agencies. Such companies have hundreds,
even thousands, of staff across the globe, and can take advantage of
the economies of scale that large companies enjoy. Often they will
have highly established brands in their markets, so requirements for
business development may be low, and generally speaking a business
development specialist will be employed to manage this. Recruitment
consultants in these firms will usually have quite a narrow role;
resourcers may be involved in initial database searches with
consultants working on the final selection for submission to the
client. The consultant will manage the relationship with the
recruiting manager.
Larger
recruitment agencies will also usually have robust internal training
programmes already set up, from initial training courses to in-role
training. There will also be development opportunities for
recruitment consultants, openings higher up the organisation,
promotion possibilities in other offices or other firms. That said,
there will always be stiff competition from other consultants within
the organisation.
Smaller but
cross functional recruitment agencies. Many of these exist in the UK
market. Usually they are the product of a niche agency that has
grown and diversified into other areas. Examples might be a
recruitment to recruitment agency which sets up a graduate section,
or a catering agency that diversifies into the hospitality sector.
In such companies you may find you have a more independent and
wide-ranging role in charge of a desk in one particular area, or as
part of a much smaller team than in the larger companies. The
benefits to you of greater responsibility may well be higher, but
this will also bring its share of pressures. The level of training
may not be as good in a smaller organisation, and as a result these
agencies may tend to employ staff who already have prior experience,
to reduce their need to provide training.
Temporary
recruitment agencies. These tend to be high street agencies or those
in market sectors where contract work is common, for example nursing
and healthcare, or construction. In these companies you will have
agency workers employed by your agency on behalf of clients, each
worker generating regular, but smaller, income. These roles involve
a larger element of account management instead of the one off big
hit of the permanent recruitment agencies, since you will always be
seeking to fill vacancies for your clients. There is also the need
to manage candidates, who have the capability to make your
organisation look good or bad just by their behaviour. A temporary
worker who consistently arrives late or does not turn up at all will
damage your firm’s reputation, and if they are letting you down
you need to control the situation.
Small
boutique/niche specific recruitment agencies. Very often these
agencies spring from recruitment consultants who have set up on
their own, or from an industry manager who has experienced
recruitment services as a consumer. In these type of companies you
will feel on the cutting edge of business, with fortunes varying
widely from month to month. Outstanding performance can often be
very highly rewarded in businesses with low overheads. Things can be
tricky, however, when business is slower. Training is often quite
limited, and might involve, for example, shadowing a senior
consultant or Director for a short period. Don’t expect a
structured, formal training program. In addition, development
opportunities may be restricted if the agency has to remain small.
If you think you would enjoy being a big fish in a small pond,
though, this may well be the right type of agency for you.
If you are
planning a career in recruitment and are ambitious to get ahead, it
is a good idea to experience several different types of recruitment
agencies first-hand. Agencies can differ widely in terms of the
working environment, the types of work you will be involved in and in
the varying pressures you will face.
