All About Sales Recruitment Agencies
Q : If I send my CV to a sales recruitment agency,will they then send it on to companies without my knowledge?
A : They certainly shouldn't do. Sales recruitmentagencies have a duty of care once they have your details. By law theyneed specific permission from you in order to send any of yourpersonal details anywhere. Once you have entrusted them with your CVthey have a duty of care to keep these details completelyconfidential. On your first approach, you may find the odd consultanttry to be clever by asking your permission to send your CV in atshort notice without a call to you, in order not to 'miss the boat'.this is an attempt to achieve license to send your CV out anywhere,any time. Make sure you are clear, in writing, that you don't wantyour CV sent anywhere without written permission first.
Q: What's the point of a company using salesrecruitment agencies?
A: There are a basket of benefits to companiesrecruiting. Firstly, if a company where to advertise a sales job inthe national press, they may find they receive 100s of applications,and indeed from all over the world. Dealing with this responserequires resources, time and money that many simply don't have. Theidea of sales recruitment agencies is to filter candidates down to amanageable short list, saving time and money. In addition, salesrecruiting agencies are constantly advertising meaning they mayalready have a bunch of good candidates in their database to choosefrom meaning more choice in less time. Finally, sales recruitmentagencies offer expertise in sales recruitment to people who may havelittle or no experience in this area, this in itself can beinvaluable once a trusting relationship is built between agency andclient.
Q : How does the recruitment agency make money outof me?
A : It's quite simply, if they don't find you ajob, they make nothing out of you. If they place you they get apercentage of your starting salary, say 20%. If you leave in theearly weeks or months, they may have to return some of the fee. It'sin their interest to place good people to be asked to recruit againand again when vacancies occur.
Q : How many sales recruitment agencies should Icontact?
A : You may think there's no harm in contactingall of the available agencies. However, if you do this, be weary,don't tell your recruitment consultants. If they know you are withevery agency, they will also know their chances of making a fee outof you are significantly reduced, and as a result will put lesseffort into helping you. Personally, I would recommend finding 2 to 3good agencies to help you.
Q : What if the agency sends my CV to my presentemployer?
A: Oh boy are they in trouble. Data protectionlaws dictate that sales recruitment agencies shouldn't do anythingwith personal details without the specific permission of theindividuals concerned, if they do, they are breaking the law. If theybreak the law and ruin your career, I would imagine a court wouldtake a very dim view. However, as insurance I would recommend aspecific written request to an agency not to send your CV outanywhere without written permission from yourself. This will ensureagainst the odd fast talking consultant who gets you to say yes tosending your CV out quickly if he sees a 'really good' that hedoesn't want you to miss!
Q : Should I use an agency to find me a job?
A : In most cases, yes. Most pharmaceuticalcompanies use recruitment agencies as a standard process. A goodrecruitment consultant will help you through the process, help youimprove your CV and advise you in interview technique etc. Inaddition they will have good channels into companies in order to getyou in front of the right people.
If you're looking for pharmaceutical jobs,recruitment agencies really are an integral part of the process youcan't ignore. Find the right agency and they will not only be able tofind you a job now
, but you may find they are able to find youfurther jobs as you move through your career.
Good luck.
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