When it comes to finding your dream job in the care industry, you might require the help of a top recruitment agency.
But did you know that there are four different types of recruitment agencies you can work with?
Getting to grips with this fact can make all the difference in speeding up the recruitment process and giving yourself the best possibility of job application success.
With this in mind, here’s a helpful guide on the four types of recruitment agencies to look out for and which one is best for your particular needs.
Temp agencies
A temp agency is pretty self-explanatory – they provide temporary opportunities to professionals.
Before taking a position, you should pre-define the end date so that you know exactly when your contract is up and you can search for new roles.
Organisations in the care industry who use a temp agency to advertise a position often pay their staff on an hourly rate.
This is sometimes a bit higher than permanent staff, as they appreciate that it’s only for a shorter period.
You’ll find that temp agencies will deal with your wages and any associated benefits, so you don’t have to have any awkward conversations with your employer during your placement.
In some cases, temp workers can be offered permanent work – which will then mean that you’re directly employed and paid by the organisation itself.
Not sure if temping is right for you?
To make a decision, take a look at our previous blog – where you’ll find simple ways to understand whether this type of contracted work is right for you.
If you do want to start care work temping, then register your details with us today and we’ll be in touch.
Standard recruitment agencies
Traditional recruitment agencies are one of the most common, usually working to a standardised fee structure based on contingency.
This means that a recruiter won’t get paid unless their client (or care organisation) decides to hire their chosen candidates.
There’s usually a rebate and replacement scheme in place, which safeguards employers in case a candidate drops out before starting work or doesn’t fulfil a certain amount of months with you.
This is why you’ll often find recruiters working for these agencies taking the time to get to know you more, as they need a quality candidate to get the job and stay there in order to get paid.
A lot of their advertised roles will be for permanent and long contract work too – as dealing with short-term roles isn’t financially worthwhile.
Executive search agencies
These types of recruitment agencies are usually used for roles where the salary and competition are both very high.
They work on a retained recruitment basis, meaning a client will pay a non-refundable fee to retain a recruiter, plus an upfront fee, sometimes instalments and a percentage of the placement.
Executive search agencies will then head-hunt talent and actively search for the right candidate, which requires time and resource.
Generally speaking, these kinds of agencies are rarely used in the care industry as the competition isn’t as high.
Specialist recruitment agencies
Some recruitment agencies specialise in certain niches or fields, making their processes more refined for the client.
This type of agency does crossover with temp, traditional and executive search ones too.
For example, here at Temps4Care, we specialise in finding the right care workers for temporary roles.
You’ll find that these types of agencies are the best for giving you expert help in your field – including ways to improve your CV.
Specialist recruitment agencies like us will also have connections to some of the best clients as well.
So it pays to register your details with them and build a relationship.
How to deal with recruitment agencies?
Now you know what kind of recruitment agencies there are, it’s important that you communicate and act appropriately in the right way.
You should see a recruiter like an employer (or a gatekeeper if you will).
Therefore, it’s vital to adapt your CV to help make it stand out to every recruiter.
For instance, if you’re going for a temporary job, it’s not really essential to include long amounts of details about your hobbies and interests.
As a candidate, don’t waste your time applying for roles that are drastically different from your experience and qualifications.
If you do, this might make the recruitment agency think that you’re a timewaster and put them off from helping you find a job at a later stage in your career.
On a more practical note, every recruitment agency loves a professional who is:
- Punctual
- Organised
- Positive
- Willing to listen
If you don’t present yourself in a good light or aren’t willing to tap into their vast knowledge, the chances are that you’ll struggle to find the perfect position in the care industry.
To summarise
The main thing to remember is to establish which recruitment agency is right for you, then build a relationship with them.
This involves contacting the applicable recruiter on a regular basis to inquire about any new opportunities on the horizon.
If you do this, it will ensure that you’re at the forefront of a recruiter’s mind when another job post arises.
Good luck!
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