Looking for a graduate job can be daunting and often seem an overwhelming task, having to approach new people and learn a whole new language - *googles what FMCG is*. Approaching and registering with a recruitment agency is a great way to overcome your initial job searching worries and queries and help decide what graduate career is right for you.
Ironically, you'll most likely have initial worries when approaching recruitment agencies, so here's a few do’s and don'ts when getting in touch with a recruitment agency to help get your job search off to a successful start! Or if you’re thinking ‘should I use a recruiter to find a job?’ here’s some of the benefits of using a recruitment agency.
There are many recruitment agencies out there, and it can be tempting to click on the first one that pops up on your google search. However, it's important to do your research and choose an agency to use that specialises in the industry you are looking for a job in. For example, if you're looking for FinTech roles and you're getting in touch with a creative recruitment agency, you are not going to have much luck, and most likely waste your time.
Recruitment agencies that are experts in your ideal job industry will be able to advise you on the types of roles available, broaden your knowledge in the field, and help suggest which career path you should follow with your experience and education. For example, to research a graduate recruitment agency, have a look at what job vacancies they have available, and take a look at the about us page!
At Give A Grad A Go, graduates can create a profile to help match them to their ideal graduate jobs, as well as sign up to receive job alerts, so they are frequently contacted with relevant jobs in industries they are interested in. Make sure to sign up to any job alert services recruitment agencies offer, and check these email alerts aren't going straight to your junk folder, so you have the top pick of jobs you're interested in being regularly sent to you.
When having a conversation with a recruitment consultant, it's important to communicate in a professional and appropriate manner. Approach recruiters as you would any networking contact or prospective employer, be polite an don't demand too much from them. Once they've secured you a position, be sure to thank them and connect with them on LinkedIn. Your LinkedIn profile not up to date? Here's our top tips to boost your LinkedIn profile.
Some of Give A Grad A Go's employees started off as candidates applying for roles through the agency, and by communicating and acting in a professional and personable way, our consultants invited them in for interviews for internal roles with us! Building great relationships with your recruitment consultants goes a long way in helping secure your ideal graduate role. It's important to make sure your CV is as professional as it can be too, here are our top tips for a professional CV with free templates.
Found a recruitment agency to use and want to get in touch on a more personal level? Writing a cover letter to a recruiter is a great first step to getting your ideal graduate job, use our sample cover letter to a recruiter - and slot in your information! We've also included some of the best subject lines to use in your emails.
Recruitment agency letter of introduction template
This template can also be used as a sample cover letter to recruiters, and gives you an idea about how to address a cover letter to a recruiter. We would recommend you send your cover letter to the recruiter or hiring manager at the recruitment agency.
- [Your name]
- [Your full address]
- [Your phone number]
- [Your email address]
- Date [Month / Day / Year]
- [Recruitment Consultant name]
- [Company]
- [Address]
Dear [Recruitment Consultant],
I am forwarding you my CV as I understand you are in touch with top industry clients seeking [professionals/graduates] in various roles and have helped numerous professionals/graduates land their dream jobs.
I am a [current or previous role/ graduate list degree] with [X years experience] in [X industry]. I posses [X qualities] and I am eager to contribute my abilities and experience to [X type roles].
Please find enclosed my CV for your review and consideration and should you need references or want to talk more about my background, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your time and efforts, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Best Regards
Now you've got a great cover letter to send a recruiter or hiring manager, here are some of the top subject lines to use in your emails that will make a great impression and help make the difference between getting the interview, and getting stuck in a junk folder.
If you want to get in touch with a recruiter and kick-start your graduate career, head over to our meet the team page and get in touch with one of our graduate recruitment experts today!
It's always best to be realistic and honest about your previous work experience. While it may be tempting to add a few things to boost your CV, including false information on your CV is likely to trip your up in an interview if an interviewer asks for further information.
Part of how a recruiter can help with your applications, is to show you how to present gaps or issue in your employment history, and explain what you can highlight that does show you to be a great fit for the job role. If you're a recent graduate lacking in previous work experience, have a look at our top tips for landing a graduate job without experience.
If you're contacted about a job role, try to be as open-minded as possible and not dismiss it if it's not exactly what you're looking for. If a recruiter has sent you a job opportunity, it's because they feel you are potentially a great fit for the job and you'd enjoy elements of the job role.
Show your gratitude and attend the interview, interviews are a great way not only to gain more interview experience, but also to find out more about the role. Even if a job is not exactly what you want, it could be a great steppingstone and route to your perfect role.
Searching and applying for graduate jobs can be an intimidating task to take on by yourself, registering with a recruitment agency is a great way to aid your job hunt and receive support in every step of your application.
Give A Grad A Go take pride in being the UK's leading graduate jobs and graduate recruitment experts, take a look at our easy graduate job application process and begin applying to graduate roles today!
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