Permanent
A recruitment consultant or agent can play a major role in a ‘permie’s’ future. Their role consists basically of matching suitable candidates for vacancies that companies need to fill and have enlisted the agency’s assistance. If they are successful in this task and the client appoints one of their candidates they will charge a commission, which can vary between 15 and 30% of starting salary. This can amount to a very large sum indeed, so you will find that the client will take great care in their judgement.
Normally you can expect two interviews, one maybe technical and the other to do with personality. In both these cases tests may come into play.
If you get a job offer, it will come through the agent and they will spend some time with you going through it and of course as it is their ‘bread and butter’, they will endeavour to sell it to you, whether they think it’s a good offer or not!!
If the deal goes through, and both parties are satisfied, the agent will collect his fee and disappear from the scene. The only time he may keep in touch or get back in touch is if they are information gathering, in other words ‘vacancy chasing’.
Contract
Contractors generally build good relations with their agents as they have ongoing contact. Technically any contractor who has gone through an agent and found work is directly employed and paid by that agent, who subsequently invoices the client plus commission. The average commission charged is around 15%.
Contractors normally will operate either as a Sole Trader or a Limited Company, the latter having certain taxation benefits. Although in recent years the Government have tightened up on the perks of contracting.
When an agent has a contract requirement he will usually search for one by skills-set and may use his or her own database or an Internet job board. They will supply the basic details of the requirement such as duties, location, the initial time period and most importantly the payment rate. They will not have to delve or disclose the company’s business or culture or whether there are good prospects or not. They may not even state who the client is until a definite interview is arranged.
Contractors will often turn down opportunities if they feel the rate is not good enough or they may have a better offer pending.
On occasions the agent may have to negotiate with both parties until a satisfactory agreement is reached, but as long as they make a creditable margin, what the contractor gets is of no concern to them.
The agent for future work will note contractors, who have given good service, so they can include a personal recommendation should they work through their agency again
About the author
Dave's experience covers all aspects of IT, operations management and project management. He has over 25 years of experience gained within the IT arena, 3 of which saw him involved in IT Outsourcing and 8 years in IT Recruitment.
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Published
04 October 2006
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