Recruitment Consultant - what does it entail?

[Benno]

Hello, I am a recent graduate and am looking at the options available to me before I pick my first 'proper' job. I have seen loads of adverts for trainee recruitment consultants and was wondering what people made of these jobs? Ive heard there is potential to make a lot of money but that targets at jobs like these are very hard to hit???? Is it really long hours? etc. Any info would be a great help!

 

Thanks alot

 

Richard

[JoeP]

I deal with Recruitment Consultants regularly - I'm an IT contractor and they get me most of my work.

 

The fact we refer to them as 'pimps' might give you an indication of the respect in which we hold them.

[absynthfairy]

Don't do it - and it's like selling your soul! I've worked in both high street IT recruitment and had this fluffy idea it'd be great because I'd be helping people find their dream job etc etc - is it heckers like. You are essentially selling people as a commodity and that means you get paid for getting people into jobs regardless of whether or not they either want or are suited for the job. I realised this very quickly and and was in and out of the profession (also as a misunderstood what am i going to do for the rest of my life graduate) within 6 months. Very cut-throat, hugely competitive and essentially unreliable - because the product you are selling varies from hour to hour....and this is a sales job of the worst kind.

 

Awful.

[Recruitguru]

Yeah, some of the 'HIGH ST.' agencies do have a set philosophy, yes you could call them pimps and yes they can do what they want, not what the candidate wants or indeed needs.

 

Ther is another side though; the independants. Those companies who have one or two branches. These guys have to work very hard to convince potential clients that they can offer an enhanced level of service compared to the 'High St' agencies. From a candidates point of view there is a more personal service, you are treat like an item on a production line. You should be hand led through the process of registration, not pushed through. You should feel comfortable with your consultant not pressurised.

 

OK maybe these independants don't have the money to advertise in the national press, TV and radio, but there presence is being felt by the big boys because of the higher levels of service that they offer.

 

If you are looking for a career within the recruitment industry it's worth logging on to recruitments governing bodies web-site. http://WWW.REC.CO.UK.

Look at local memebers in your area and apply to them. If they are abiding by the REC's 'Code of Practice', you will get proper ongoing training and development, career progression and one hell of job. At your level, trainee, you could expect to be offered a basic of anything from £12K to £20K depending where you live. If you need further advice send me PM.

[Classic Rock]

I did this job for 2.5 years after graduating back in the early 90s. It had a personal touch then, which these days it doesnt seem to have.

 

Back then you got to know the people coming through the door, listened to their wants and needs and then got to know the company and what type of person they wanted.

 

Of course the agencies charge more, but as a temp, you are told the hourly rate you're being offered the work at and it's up to you if you accept it or not. The agency has worked to get the job and the company has entrusted it to them.

 

The agency often has to persuade a suitably qualified person to do the work and at the same time describe the person to the company. Both can be as fussy. There are of course times when nobody is suitably qualified on the books and advertising has to be done.

 

Why did I leave? New management were hired to make it a telesales driven office, no time allowed for the personal touch, it became hard sell, sell, sell. People were not seen to be individuals with feelings, they were units with skills. The skills had to be tested and only then, scientifically, were they matched up to vacancies.

 

I can see the pros and cons in both sides....but I decided to leave and pursue a different career path.

 

Incidentally, many of the salaries earned are basic plus commission. The more vacancies you get in and fill, means the more you earn. It's essentially a sales job, where you acquire jobs from companies by doing a huge ring round and then, in between, you interview people who wander in to the office looking for work. Many people are registered online so there isnt even an interview anymore, it's the unit with skills scenario again.

 

Keeping all this in mind, if that sort of sales role does appeal to you, then don't dismiss it. THere is a high turnover of staff in this industry - due to the pressure of the sales targets. Good luck.