Recruitment News and Articles
Tips for Candidates!
Late summer and autumn is the traditional job-hunting season for JETs arriving back from Japan. Recruitment agencies typically form part of any JET returnee’s search. As you would expect agencies vary in effectiveness but even the best cannot place every candidate. Nor can you expect instant results. So using an agency is a complement to, not a substitute for, other means of job-hunting: the internet, newspapers, networking etc.
Most recruitment consultants specialise in one or two areas of the job market. This will probably mean registering up with a few different agencies -three or four should be enough. If you are looking for temporary work, any of the "high street" agencies will probably be able to offer some help; if you are looking for "graduate" jobs you are probably best advised to look for an agency that specialise in these; and if you want a job which makes use of some of your Japanese language or Japan cultural experience, it would be best to register with one of the Japanese specialist recruitment agencies.
Remember that the majority of the jobs these agencies handle are unadvertised so you would not be able to apply without registering with one of these agencies.
Naturally, you can expect to get more from your agency if you know a few ways to encourage them to work hard on your behalf! Here are a few tips which you might find useful:
- Maintain regular contact by email or telephone – this ensures your name is at the forefront of your agent’s mind when new jobs come in. Also make sure you keep your agent fully up-to-date with any changes in contact details or CV updates
- Don’t delay – if an agency contacts you with an opportunity respond as soon as you can. Agencies often work under time pressure because the employers they work for demand this. Late responses frequently lead to disappointment
- Be selective – If you hand your CV to four recruitment agencies from the same sector, don’t be surprised if a company receives your CV four times! This can make you look desperate!
- Be wary – If an agency provides no information about the hiring company or the vacant position but simply tells you that they have arranged an interview for you! It demonstrates a lack of concern for your career. The more reputable ones, will consult you frequently, ensure that you are only put forward for suitable jobs and make sure you are fully briefed
- Don’t be pressurised! Never allow yourself to be pressurised into taking a job which is not quite right by an unscrupulous agency which has more interest in hitting their sales target than your career development. After all there is always the option to temp. A good temporary assignment can transform the look of your CV!
