Working with recruitment consultants

A specialist recruitment consultancy can be an extremely effective way of finding a job in media sales.

A good recruitment consultant is a strong ally: at the start of your career, they provide invaluable support when both your chosen industry and the workplace in general are still relatively new to you, let alone the challenges of going for interviews and securing a job!

As your career progresses, their in-depth knowledge of hiring managers and company cultures can save you from making that wrong move than means you are putting your CV back out there after only a few months in the job.

Wherever you are in your career, here are our top tips to making the most of your recruitment consultant.

Do your research

Most consultancies will be working on a range of opportunities at any one time. Applying to more than 2 or 3 consultancies can be counter-productive and will not encourage them to invest their time in you.

Do your research and decide which consultancies will be best for you – if you want to work for a specific company, don’t be afraid to ring up and find out which consultancies they use.

Put the effort in

Don’t be fooled that it is the recruitment consultant’s job to get you a job – that’s up to you – the recruitment consultant facilitates the process.

Even the best recruitment consultants can’t make a job fall in your lap without you making an effort too - treat this relationship with respect and both parties will achieve their objectives. Call them, don’t just wait for them to call you – show your interest.

When you first meet with your consultant, be just as prepared as if you were going to an interview with an employer.

Make sure you have researched the industry, and can communicate clearly why you feel that you are suited to a career in media sales, make sure you’ve thought about your strengths and weaknesses and the type of organisation you would like to work for.  If you are an experienced media salesperson, what are your successes and your reasons for moving on?

If you ‘interview well’ to your consultant, it will be much easier for them to sell you to a potential employer and you are more likely to be memorable to them when new opportunities arise.

Build a relationship

Be honest about the interviews you are going to, and the companies you like and don’t like, so that you best equip your consultant to help you and don’t waste each other’s time. Don’t say you get out of bed for £15k if you don’t. Are you all about the cash or is culture the clincher for you?

Provide feedback promptly after attending an interview – the good and bad points… if you aren’t interested say so but explain why. If you are interested, also be clear as to why – these finer details can be relayed back to your interviewer and used to influence their decision in your favour.

If you mucked up, own up – acknowledging a blooper quickly gives your consultant the opportunity to address this with your interviewer and reduce its impact.

Make your own decision

Remember - consultants are salespeople paid by your future employer so they are working to meet their needs. They will sell you the benefits of working for a particular company. It is up to you to decide whether an opportunity is right for you – be thorough and do your own research – accepting a job on someone else’s recommendation only to leave a short while later will cost your recruitment consultant time and money and benefits no one.

Click here for our directory of the best specialist media sales recruitment consultancies...