Temporary recruitment - how should temporary workers operate with agencies in a downturn?

So many people I am meeting at the moment feel badly treated by the agencies they are using and have used for a number of years. We all know about the recession but it seems that morale is getting so low in some recruitment businesses that it is affecting how they interact with the people who are the key to their success – candidates! The individuals feeling this most are temporary workers who up until relatively recently have been operating in a market where they can be selective about the role they take, push up rates and reject an offer for a company that means an extra 10 minutes on the journey time to work.

Times Have Changed

Everyone has benefitted from the temporary recruitment market in the last few years, candidates and recruiters alike. However, times have changed and it is down to both sides to alter the way in which they operate. As a candidate you can’t expect to be being called frequently with numerous options. If your agencies are calling you to stay in touch or update with you then don’t get annoyed with them – believe me, this is good treatment! Often people are not being contacted at all. Establish who will be calling who and how often. Ask questions of the consultants you are dealing with. How can I improve my CV? Is there anything I should be doing at the moment to improve my chances of finding a role? Which skill sets are in demand at the moment? Is there anything I can do to improve my interview technique? How often will you call me, or should I call you? If you see roles being advertised, call your consultant and ask if they know anyone at that organization in case they can get straight to the decision maker and apply on your behalf.

Proactivity will be rewarded

In the current temporary recruitment market candidates need to be more proactive in their job searches and aim to build better relationships with good recruiters. They are there to be trusted advisors and experts in what they do - test them.

Mary Driscoll is a Managing Partner at Maven Partners, a specialist Interim Management and Temporary Recruitment business.

marydriscoll@mavenpartners.co.uk