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Halloween – tricks and treats to watch out for as a candidate

It’s spook season. Today’s the day, and if you’re a parent, you’ll likely have spent the last few days making sure your children’s teeth get an extra good clean to warm them up for the copious amounts of sugar they’ll be chomping across the next week.

When it comes to recruitment, there are plenty of horror stories and monsters that are best off avoided. Fortunately, we’ve put together a short explainer on how to avoid tricks, and spot the best treats when looking for a recruitment partner.

Trick: the “bums on seats” model

You’ve all been there. Put forward for a role, or approached for a position, and knowing it’s no way near the right job for you.

Unfortunately, for many recruitment agencies that’s not always a priority – it’s filling the role. Whilst we obviously want to help our clients get their positions filled, we know that putting bums on seats isn’t a long-term solution. It often ends up costing clients more money, and candidates more time in the market.

If you feel an agency is putting you forward for a role that’s not right, be sure to push back and keep hunting for the role that is right.

Treat: a process that’s quality over quantity

Instead, you’ll want to be a part of a process that makes you feel like it’s thorough, and not restricted by time. Of course, clients will want candidates in quickly, but the best businesses understand that getting the right person in is paramount.

This might mean that you’re working closely with a recruitment agency for a while, as they look for the perfect role for you – and it may also mean that when you’re put forward, there are more hoops to jump through.

But we can assure you, for candidate and client, it makes the most sense and brings the best outcomes.

Trick: generalist recruitment agencies

If you’re a jack of all trades, you’re a master of none. Some recruitment agencies will be the partners for specific businesses or only operate in certain sectors, but some will claim to be able to hire for any role in any industry.

Now, we’re not saying they can’t. But it’s important to note that for access to the best roles, you’ll be better off finding an agency that only work within your space. The best companies will want to work with specialists, and they’ll know that those companies should have access to the best talent.

Treat: experts in your chosen sector

Specialists give you comfort, as you’ll be partnering up with an agency that doesn’t want you in any old role – but wants you in the role you’ll be perfect for. This is because they’ll understand your skillset better than a generalist agency, meaning you’ll be put forward for more specific roles.

For us, we’re recruiters for the investment management industry. Within that space, we specialise in hiring for data, transformation and technology roles.

When clients choose us, they are confident we know our stuff, about their industry and the people they’re desperate to find.

Trick: no communication, only urgent calls – or both!

Getting ghosted isn’t fun. Nor are phone calls at 9pm at night, or harassing you to accept an offer for a role you’re not 100% sure on.

If an agency isn’t good with communication, that should be a red flag. A professional team should understand that clear communication is key to the best outcomes. But importantly, they should also respect professional boundaries and always put their clients and candidates first.

Treat: consistency, clarity and honesty

Imagine working with an agency that was open, upfront and always fighting your corner.

It’s not a pipedream, they do exist – and we believe that’s exactly what we offer our candidates.

We’re communicators by trade and love getting to know our clients and candidates. That’s why they keep coming back, and we’ve helped professionals take multiple steps within their career with the same team who truly understands their personality and their profession.

Avoid the spooks – choose us

We’re people first and have built long-standing relationships with global professionals who demand the best when it comes to finding their next opportunity.

Think we might be able to work together? Please get in touch. (p.s. – no fancy dress required)