When you’re trying to find a new job, you probably don’t want to dismiss any possibilities. If there’s an employment opportunity to be found, you’ll be determined to zero in on it — whether you’re trying to go it alone or are relying on your connections to assist you. You may even wonder whether using multiple networking and application channels at once could be to your benefit. But when it comes right down to it, you might have to make a choice: do you work with a recruitment agency, or do you rely on applying directly to job postings you find online?
Ultimately, there are pros and cons that come with each decision. But in general, you’ll probably find one choice to be more rewarding and less frustrating than the other. Let’s discuss this topic further in the hopes that you’ll use what you learn here to find work in the future.
Job Recruiter Vs. Direct Application: Which to Choose?
Working with job agencies might sound like a big commitment. Some people even think that working with a recruiter will impact your salary offer or might impact the candidate negatively in some way. None of these ideas are true. In many cases, recruitment agencies are your best resource for information and industry connections when you need help finding work.
When you choose to exclusively apply for jobs on your own, you’ll be competing with a huge pool of candidates. You may not be able to find out a whole lot about the hiring company from their job posting or really understand the ins and outs of a given position. This can make it difficult to tailor your resume, cover letter, and interview approach to appeal to that company’s needs. But when you need help finding work and seek out assistance from a recruiter, you’ll gain valuable insight into the company and into the position for which you’re being considered. Your application will stand out from the rest due to a company’s established relationship with the recruitment agency. Since 46% of HR professionals say retention is their greatest concern, you may even be considered for openings that have not been publicly posted yet. This could allow you to have a leg up on the competition and can open up career paths you might never have considered.
When you really need help finding work, relying only on yourself can feel exhausting and overwhelming. Not only will a recruitment agency have more in-depth information about a given business or position, but they can also use their expertise to help you impress hiring managers throughout every stage. When you apply on your own, you’ll likely be relying on your own instincts and training. But even the most experienced of professionals needs a second opinion every now and then. A recruiter can help you to tweak your resume, provide suggestions for your interview, and even act as a buffer to provide feedback to managers. In some cases, your recruitment agency may even go to bat for you during salary negotiations or will be able to present your request for a benefits package in a way that the company will find affable.
There’s nothing necessarily wrong with applying directly to a company, assuming that they have made it known they’re hiring for a given position. But if you really want to make a positive impression (or any impression at all), you could probably use all the help you can get. Otherwise, you could end up wasting a lot of time and energy sending out applications and not getting a chance to reap the rewards. Whether you need help finding work quickly, are looking to make a total career change, or are simply frustrated with how your job search has gone, a job agency can provide you with the resources you need to take your professional aspirations to the next level.