How to Choose the Right Recruitment Agency: For Candidates

Choosing the right recruitment agency can have a huge impact on the success of your job search and help you to find the perfect opportunities but how do you find an agency that’s best suited to your career goals and experience? Here are some things to think about.

Define Your Goals

Before approaching a recruitment agency, it’s important to have a good understanding of what you’re looking for in your next role. Are you seeking permanent employment? Do you have specific skills, qualifications or industry experience that you want to leverage? Knowing what you want, and need will help you to find an agency that can fully support your job search.

What’s Their Track Record?

Look for an agency that has experience in your field. Recruitment agencies that specialise in your industry are more likely to have established relationships with employers in your sector and can connect you with relevant job opportunities quickly. Ask the agency about their success rate in placing candidates with a background like yours to ensure they can best meet your needs.

Understand the Process

A good recruitment agency will have a clear and efficient process for matching candidates with suitable employers. Find out how they source job openings, screen and select the candidates they present to employers. The right agency will take the time to understand your qualifications and preferences, ensuring you’re matched with roles that suit you.

Review Testimonials and Communication Styles

An excellent way to see if a recruitment agency is effective is by browsing testimonials from other job seekers they’ve helped. Think about how the agency has communicated with you too as good communication works both ways and is an essential part of successful job searching. Do you feel comfortable with how they handle interactions?

Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Our experienced team is here to help. We specialise in connecting job seekers with the right opportunities and work closely with candidates to ensure a smooth and successful job search. For over 35 years, Shepherd Stubbs has been a trusted partner for job seekers across various industries. We have built strong relationships with employers and have the knowledge and resources to help you find your perfect role.

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LinkedIn Poll Results - November 2024

by Simon Clark • 19 November 2024

In our November LinkedIn poll, we explored what factors are most valued by employees for their company’s year-end celebrations. As we wrap up another year, understanding these preferences can help organisations plan events that genuinely resonate with their teams and enhance company morale. The results clearly highlight 'Recognition / Awards' as the leading priority, with 44% of respondents indicating that acknowledging individual and team achievements is the most important aspect of year-end celebrations. This underscores a significant trend: employees value recognition of their hard work and contributions over the course of the year, seeing it not just as a reward but as essential to their satisfaction and motivation. ‘Food’ emerged as the second most crucial element, garnering 33% of the vote. Good food can turn any gathering into a memorable event, suggesting that catering choices play a pivotal role in the overall enjoyment and atmosphere of corporate events. ‘Venue’ was also a notable factor, with 22% of participants considering it important. The setting of a celebration can deeply influence the event’s ambiance and how the festivities are perceived and enjoyed by the staff. Interestingly, 'Entertainment' received no votes, indicating that while enjoyable, entertainment might not be a priority for employees when compared to other aspects like recognition, food, and venue. This could suggest a shift in what employees consider valuable at corporate events, with a stronger emphasis on elements that reflect direct appreciation and tangible rewards. These insights are invaluable for any company looking to boost employee morale and retention through meaningful end-of-year celebrations. By focusing more on recognition and awards, companies can not only make these events more impactful but also reinforce a culture of appreciation that resonates throughout the year.

What is White Fonting on Your CV and How Can it Harm Your Job Prospects?

by Jonathan Shepherd-Stubbs • 1 November 2024

White fonting is a practice used on a CV where a job applicant includes extra phrases or keywords in white text which is invisible to a human reading the CV but readable by Applicant Tracking System software, otherwise known as an ATS. These keywords usually relate to job titles, certain skills or experience which the candidate doesn’t possess but match with what the company software is primed to look for. This might seem like a clever tactic but white fonting can actually harm your job prospects and could even damage your professional reputation. Here are some reasons why it’s wise to avoid white fonting on your CV and our top tips on how to land your ideal job without using it. It’s Considered Dishonest White fonting is professionally viewed as deceptive to a prospective employer and whilst it might help you bypass the initial stages of a job application, hiring managers will spot inconsistencies between your CV and the information you provide in your interview and reference checks. Employers could also question your honesty and integrity which will quickly remove you from the running. Technology is Getting Smarter Technology is always evolving and what you might get away with today could be different tomorrow. Many systems are now being programmed to spot white fonting and other tactics, causing you to be flagged before you even get to talk to a human being at interview stage. Irrelevant Matches White fonting often involves elaborating on skills and experiences you don’t have so whilst this might get you through the initial screening, you could end up being considered for roles that don’t match your real-life skills and experience. This potentially wastes your own time as well as the recruiter’s and could make getting through an interview difficult for you. Reputation Damage Even if white fonting gets you through the first stages of the application process and the ATS software, it could still come back to bite you at a later stage. Employers could begin to question your skills or qualifications when it becomes apparent that you can’t carry out the claims made on your CV. Recruiters in your area could also work closely with each other so your reputation could precede you. With all this in mind, we have put together some much better ways to get noticed on your job applications. Use Relevant Keywords Tailor your CV to match the job description, but only use terms that genuinely reflect your experience. The ATS software will still recognise these keywords if they are presented naturally within the content and will significantly improve your chances of getting an interview with the employer. Showcase Transferable Skills We always encourage that you highlight any transferable skills you have, even if you don’t meet all the listed skill criteria in the job advertisement. Use your genuine achievements to demonstrate how you can bring high value and integrity to the company. Customise Your CV to Each Application Always tailor your CV to each individual job application and though this might take more time initially, it’s a tried and tested method and will show that you have thoughtfully considered how you will be an asset to the company and how you see yourself fitting into the role. Whilst white fonting might seem like a harmless shortcut to your ideal job, it’s a risky move. Authenticity and trust are key in the job market so always stay true to yourself. If you need some support in finding and applying for a job, our expert team can help you to stand out and support you every step of the way. Contact us here .