“Why don’t agencies come back to me when I apply for jobs?”
To answer this I will go back in time….
When I started in recruitment the tools I had to do my job were simple; a phone, a desk, a chair, a very large computer (that had very little software on it), a box of green cards with all the candidates’ hand-written details, local papers to advertise jobs in, The Yellow Pages to make sales calls and a lot of time to speak with clients and candidates.
Like everything today, technology now allows things to move very quickly, and because of this we all expect results immediately! The world has just got faster, and in some industries I believe this speed adversely impacts people’s ability to deliver the service they want to give. The internet and job boards are extremely fit for purpose but the traffic they generate is often impossible for a consultant to manage, let alone leave them the time to talk to and build a relationship with every candidate that applies for all the different jobs that they are advertising. They will of course focus their time on the candidates that are most suitable for the vacancy.
I am not saying that it is right that consultants do not come back to everyone that applies for a position but if your skills, experience and attributes are right for the position you have applied for then they will. Also, do not just rely on pressing submit on a job board to get a job, pick up the phone yourself with a view to develop a relationship with a recruitment consultant and take it from there.
Top Tips:
- Build a relationship with your recruitment agent, pick up the phone rather than drop them an email
- LinkIn with them so they can put a face to your name and CV
- Keep in regular contact with the recruitment agents even if there are currently no suitable jobs, just update them on how your search is going – this also stops them from contacting you once you start a new role!
