There are many good reasons to work with a recruitment agency when looking for a job, but Carrie Krueger advises jobseekers to act cautiously when first approaching a recruitment company and provides some tips on building good relationships with recruitment consultants to yield positive results.

‘Recruitment agencies can keep their eyes out for you’ says career consultant Carrie Krueger. This extends the scope of your job search and increases your opportunity to find work.

There is a growing trend in the labour market which has seen an increase in temporary jobs, says Krueger. Unsurprisingly these temps will ‘mainly be taken from recruitment agencies’. This is another important reason to register with an agency in your field or industry and include your CV on their database of jobseekers.

Likewise, individuals gain access to exclusive job opportunities as some organizations choose to advertise solely through recruitment companies.

Despite all the benefits unemployed individuals should approach a new recruitment company with caution. Krueger alerts candidates to the signs of a shady or ineffective recruitment agency.

‘An agency should never ask you for money upfront’ stresses Krueger.

’They should give you a list of former clients they’ve worked with so you can touch base with them and find out what working with the agency is like’. This is good practice and an excellent idea for candidates who are serious about exploring every employment avenue.

Applicants should be weary of representatives who don’t communicate openly about potential job opportunities. ‘It’s not a good sign if they ask for your resume but won’t tell you which job they are considering you for’.

Building a good relationship with the recruitment consultant that you have been assigned to requires effort. ‘Be considerate of their time’ advises Krueger. Asking for feedback on CV’s and interviews is never a bad idea but don’t become a nuisance and avoid calling incessantly for updates.

Candidates should ‘always be responsive’. When a consultant requests information, be sure to answer these requests immediately. This will demonstrate interest and commitment to finding a job and will improve your chances of being nominated for the next available position.

Watch Carrie Krueger’s video ‘Working with an employment or temp agency’ for more tips on how to improve your employment opportunities.

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