Growing each year by nearly 5%, the UK recruitment industry is now worth 35bn to the economy according to the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC). This is more than advertising, arts & recreation, and the food & beverage industry. As the demand for this lucrative business continues, more and more job seekers are signing up to take advantage of its benefits.
Having the right people guide you through your job search will make all the difference when it comes to finding the right role. Recruitment agencies are a great resource and it makes perfect sense to take advantage of them. However, after speaking to candidates, we discovered several of them did not know how recruitment agencies really worked.
WHAT IS A RECRUITMENT AGENCY AND HOW DO THEY WORK.
So, you are on the hunt for a new job be it full time, part time or interim work. You have searched all the local and national job boards and have even let your social media following know you are looking. You are well aware job hunting can be hard, particularly when working in such a niche industry within the food manufacturing business, however, there is one option left, a recruitment agency.
Recruitment agencies are essentially the middlemen between jobseekers and employers. They work on behalf of employers to find suitable candidates and to fill their vacancies with the best possible talent. Plus, agencies will work alongside candidates looking out for possible vacancies. This can also involve proactively contacting companies to advise them of any candidates who may able to profit their business. The agency is only paid when they place a candidate so it’s in their best interest to ensure they find a role that is perfect for you.
Over the past 14 years, D R Newitt have built solid relationships within the food manufacturing industry which has led to 75% of our business being repeat business. Consequently, before the process starts one of our clients will get in touch to say they have a new opportunity available. The opportunity which can occasionally be exclusive i.e. there is only one recruiter on the job, is then assigned to the consultant whose job it is to ensure the spot is filled with the best possible talent.
Here’s a quick guide on the process you can typically expect from a recruitment agency.
Step 1 – Profiling
The consultant will gather as much information on the role they are hiring, for example, what duties and responsibilities will the successful candidate have? What skills or abilities are required for the role and where does this role fit in with the wider structure of the business. Usually, a detailed job description is provided to the consultant.
Step 2 – Searching
There are numerous ways to source the best-suited candidates for the role such as our own personal database, promoting the vacancy online on outlets such as The Grocer, Food Man Jobs and CV Library which can be seen by thousands of job seekers. Headhunting on LinkedIn is also very popular with recruiters. Experienced recruiters might even have a candidate in mind from previous placements and knowing the market so well. This is one of the great benefits of working in a niche industry like Food and Drink manufacturing.
Step 3 – Identifying Viable Candidates
Searching for candidates is only half the battle. What makes recruiters so popular with business’ is our ability to source highly qualified individuals that may or may not be on the market. Anybody can find candidates, however, the calibre of candidates we are able to source for the company are second to none and takes a lot more work than you think.
Step 4 Telephone Screening
When the correct applicants have been identified, and are very much interested in the position, the first screening stage of the process will take place. Consultants will have a list of maybe 5 – 10 candidates who they will speak to and explain the role in much further detail. This is to see if not only the candidate’s qualifications and skills match the role, but can their attitude match the values of the company too.
Step 5 The Interview
It’s the big day and the applicant will now have the chance to go face to face with their potential employer. This can sometimes be a simple process, or can be drawn out over weeks with first and second stages. Companies will also run background checks, reference checks, and possibly a credit check as part of the process.
Step 6 An Offer
Once the candidate has been deemed suitable and has cleared the selection stages and been offered a position, the process of offer-negotiation will then start. This is essentially where the recruiter will use their bargaining skills and go back and forth with the client to settle the exact salary, bonuses, allowances and any other benefits that can be squeezed in. Experienced recruiters will use external market benchmarks to ensure the best deal is met.
Occasionally this can happen earlier on during the process, however, more often than not, it is after the interview, ensuring the client can consider what each candidate could bring to the company and generate an appropriate package.
Step 7 Joining the Company
The offer is now closed and the candidate has been given their start date. However, the recruiter’s job is not over yet. A comprehensive on-boarding process is probably the most important part of all the recruitment stages. We are not talking about filling out a little bit of paperwork and hoping for the best. D R Newitt prides themselves on relationships and will continue to make the candidate/new employee feel wanted until they officially join the organisation.
WHAT D R NEWITT CAN DO FOR YOU.
When a CV is registered with D R Newitt and is listed in our database, our consultants may contact you with relevant roles which frequently become available. This will significantly expand the reach of your job search.
Recruitment agencies with their specialised services make them extremely popular with employers, so signing up with an agency will potentially give you access to exclusive jobs on the market too.
After registering your CV with D R Newitt, there are a few steps in between that you can take advantage of before an opportunity becomes available. We can edit and optimise CVs, offer cover letter advice and have in-depth knowledge of our clients meaning we can offer inside information before an interview. We also know how important constructive feedback is after an interview which is why any roles you are put forward for, no matter the outcome, we ensure you receive the feedback you need to develop yourself further.
The last but certainly not least benefit you can expect from D R Newitt is our true passion in building long-lasting solid relationships. Anybody we encounter within the food manufacturing industry be it, candidate or client, we guarantee a distinct and friendly experience along your journey with us. We are with you every step of the way and truly understand the importance of keeping our brand promise of; integrity, commitment and delivery.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Now you have a better grasp on what happens throughout the process of a recruitment agency and can see how registering your CV would only benefit your job search. The next step for you is to register your CV with us here.