7 Common Myths About Recruitment Firms and Their Reality

Many rumours persist around the recruitment and solicitation of employment agencies. It is important to be able to enlighten everyone by deconstructing the 7 most common myths and thus expose the reality. In fact, there are many benefits to be gained by using a recruitment firm. 

Myth #1: Recruitment agencies cost job seekers money.

The reality: Candidates do not pay recruitment agencies. In fact, it is the companies seeking talent that pay for the services of the firms and their consultants, which often includes sourcing, background checks, interviews and more.

Myth #2: Recruiters only work to earn a commission and don't care about the candidates.

The reality: Recruiters help you find the job that matches your needs, expectations and experience. They act as a compass to guide you towards the job that best suits you. Some continue to accompany you, even after you arrive at your destination. The reason is simple, they jeopardize their credibility with you and the employer. If that were the case, it's safe to say that they would suffer the consequences as clients would turn to other agencies for future positions.

Myth #3: The recruiters' commission is actually a percentage of the hired candidates' salary.

The reality: Working with a placement agency has no impact on the candidates’ salary. It is logical to think that you would earn more had your employer hired you directly rather than through an agency, however, what may seem logical is not necessarily true. In fact, the salary you are offered is most often the same or higher than what you would have received without going through a talent acquisition consultant. There are three reasons for this: your terms are based on the company's salary range; most employers prefer to pay more to ensure they get the best talent; and consultants represent the interests of both parties and are therefore involved in the negotiations.

Myth #4: Candidates have access to the same job offers as recruiters.

The reality: Recruiters have access to unique and often exclusive offers. If you have recruiters in your network, you have certainly seen ads where the employer's name is not mentioned. These offers are not found anywhere else and are often for positions where competition is fierce or that require specific skills. One more reason not to risk missing out on an exciting job!

Myth #5: Recruitment agencies only offer temporary, entry-level and low-paying positions.

The reality: Agencies offer both temporary and permanent positions, entry-level and management positions, and often with competitive salaries. In some contexts, it may be more appropriate to opt for fixed-term contracts, for example when it is a first experience, to create a new network quickly or to acquire a specific skill. Remuneration is calculated according to the employer's salary range and the position to be filled.

Myth #6: It is better to look for a job yourself than to go through an agency.

The reality: One does not hinder the other and a combination of the two is more likely to be successful. One of the many benefits of working with a talent acquisition consultant is that you can benefit from their complimentary expertise and perspective. In fact, contrary to what some might believe, their objective is not to fill positions at any cost, but to find the best fit between the talents and employers. In this sense, the consultants are an extension of your job search, and they are first and foremost there for you.

Myth #7: The job search process is long and tedious with a recruitment agency.

The reality: Agencies have a well-established structure, which often speeds up the job search. Moreover, they have an undeniable knowledge of the market and the sectors in demand, thus simplifying the steps of the job search and saving a lot of time, both for employers and candidates.

Are you dissatisfied with your current job and know you can find something better but don't have the time for a job search? Did you recently finish your studies and don't know where to start? Now you know which door to knock on to maximize your chances of opening the right one!