How to use a Recruitment Consultancy

These days there are numerous methods you can use in order to secure a new job including perusal of the appointments section of the Legal Executive Journal, vacancy pages of your local paper, placing an advert yourself in the ‘vacancy wanted’ column and increasingly the use of the Internet. A recruitment consultancy, used in tandem with these methods, may help you to secure that all important career move.

When you employ the services of a consultancy, it is important that you choose a reputable consultant and specialist in your field. A personal referral from a friend or colleague is by far the best method of securing the services of a good consultant as they will have had first hand experience of how that consultant operates. Alternatively, you could contact the Institute of Legal Executives who will be able to recommend a recruitment consultancy in your area.

Before you approach a recruitment consultant, it is wise to prepare yourself. You should have an idea of what you want to do and where. You will need to have your CV prepared in a user-friendly style detailing your entire career history. Potential employers will ideally wish to see consistency of employment and as a consequence, you should include not only the years you have spent in previous roles, but also the months together with a full breakdown of your duties.

In accordance with Employment Agencies Act 1973 and supporting Regulations, recruitment consultants are now also legally obliged to obtain proof of your ID eg a copy of your passport/driving licence together with copies of any relevant certificates relating to your legal qualifications.

Once you are armed with the above, you are ready to contact your chosen recruitment consultancy who will take the time to find out exactly what you’re looking for in your career and combine their knowledge and integrity to help you achieve it.

Having established what you are looking for, your consultant will match your skills against the criteria set out in the jobs that they have been given by their clients. They will have different methods of doing this. Some use sophisticated computer packages, some have paper filing systems and others just use their memory!

In order to comply with the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and supporting Regulations, recruitment consultants are required by law to seek your permission prior to disclosing your CV to anyone. Having provided your consent, your CV will then be forwarded on a confidential basis to the firm/company you have expressed an interest in. It is important that you keep a note of where your CV has been sent to avoid any duplication between consultancies.

At all stages of the recruitment process, your recruitment consultant will remain your point of contact – never try to speak to a prospective employer direct. They will keep you advised of any developments so far as your applications are concerned, set up interviews for you, provide you with interview preparation and obtain post interview feedback.

Any job offers will ordinarily be negotiated via your consultant.

It is unusual to be charged anything by a recruitment agency as they are usually paid by your prospective employer based upon a percentage of your first years salary and therefore on a contingency basis.

Good Luck!

Supplied by The Legal Assistants Division, Hudson

Follow this link to view Hudson

At Hudson, we’ve built our reputation on telling it like it is. Unlike some, we’ll never claim to know what you’re looking for before we’ve spoken to you directly. From the first time you call us, we’ll take the time to find out exactly what you’re looking for in your career, and combine our experience, knowledge and integrity to help you achieve it.

For a relevant and confidential discussion about the current legal recruitment climate please call one of our consultants today.

next