Recruitment Agencies - A Temporary Solution for Graduates

Recruitment Agencies

Recruitment consultants (or employment agencies) specialise in placing candidates into suitable job vacancies. Many consultancies deal with both temporary and permanent positions and some specialise in temporary or in temp-to-permanent only, within specific markets including graduate recruitment. The placement of temporary staff is usually a far speedier process than that of permanent positions and you should be prepared for an immediate start date if required.

Benefits of Temping

For graduates, temping is a great way of trying our different sectors and disciplines. Temporary positions can vary in length from days to months, and there may also be contract work available. Alternatively, temporary work can also be an excellent and reliable source of income. As you move from one assignment to the next, it is important to ensure that you document your responsibilities and skills in order to develop your CV.

From Temp to Permanent

Usually a vacancy will be advertised as temp/perm and a candidate will be taken on for an initial period of temporary work. After a month or so the employer will decide whether they wish to offer the candidate a permanent contract. However, candidates who are taken on as purely temporary staff are sometimes offered a permanent position if they have performed particularly well in that role, as the employer will not want to lose a valuable member of staff.

What are the Agencies Looking for?

Business Etiquette

Just like employers, agencies expect candidates to be professionally presented at all times. Punctuality is also vita, if you are running late or unable to attend, you must contact the agency as soon as possible. All companies are not alike and it is a good idea to check company policies before any new position.

Flexibility

The more flexible you are, the more work you will receive. This particularly concerns the type of work you're happy to do and the hours you are prepared to work.

Career-Minded

Graduate tempts should remember that their hard-earned skills are not being put to waste whilst being in temporary work. This is valuable time to gain varied work experience with a number of companies. Many graduates have little or no work experience when beginning their career and the broad base of skills that you can add to your CV through temporary work will be extremely valuable.