So, we all know that the Australian job market has been slow recently. In fact, according to The Australian newspaper, “it is harder for the unemployed to get a job now than at any time since the 2000 slowdown”.¹ This may be due to the fact that “Australia’s unemployment rate climbed to a post-global financial crisis high of 5.8 per cent” in September 2013.²
Landing that dream job in the marketing industry can be even more difficult. Don’t lose all hope though; according to Hays Recruitment Agency’s Quarterly Hotspots List (released in July 2013)³ demand exists for marketing professionals in Australia. Employers seem to be expanding their marketing teams with the objective of increasing sales. In particular, marketing generalists, brand managers and media liaisons are in demand.
So, despite the fact that Australia’s job market is bit tight at the moment, employers are still on the lookout for marketing professionals to join their ranks. If you are currently hunting for a marketing role, then it might be time to get some recruitment agencies searching for you too. Like the old saying goes, two heads are always better than one!
We don’t like to assume anything here at Marketing.com.au. So, in case you are not already aware, recruitment agencies liaise between job seekers and organisations with positions to fill. Generally, the organisation will provide a position description outlining the type of candidate they need. Recruitment agencies will then try to match the skills and experience required. They might be able to do this with pre-existing candidates that they already have on file. Or, they might have to place job advertisements. Recruitment agencies usually work on a commission basis, charging a percentage of the total salary of the vacancy filled.
Advantages Of Using Recruitment Agencies
There are a range of advantages to using recruitment agencies. Often, they have detailed, in-depth knowledge of the organisation that has a position to fill. Given this, they should be able to brief you prior to an interview on the culture, history and structure of the organisation. Recruitment agencies should be able to give you specific interview tips and tricks. Given that it is beneficial to them (after all, they want to secure that commission, remember?), they should also be selling you as the perfect candidate for the role. Some of the better recruitment agencies will also negotiate your contract (read: increase your salary) if you are successful. A lot of organisations advertise only through recruitment agencies. You might not ever find that perfect role if you aren’t registered with a recruitment agency. Recruitment agencies can give you a hand improving your CV, cover letter and key selection criteria responses. Let’s not forget the fact that, as a candidate, using the services of recruitment agencies is free! Your potential employers pay for their services, not you. You can’t lose!
Disadvantages Of Using Recruitment Agencies
There are some disadvantages associated with using recruitment agencies though. First and foremost, it can be quite time consuming. Not only will you have an interview (or interviews) with your potential new employer, but with recruitment agencies as well. You also need to place quite a bit of faith and trust in the recruitment agencies with which you sign up. You have to be sure that they are representing you, your skills and your experience accurately. If not, you could miss out on that perfect job, or find yourself put forward for a role that doesn’t match your expectations or needs.
So, are you keen to jump on board with a few recruitment agencies? Lucky for you, we have a comprehensive list of Australian marketing industry recruitment agencies for you.
References:
¹http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/jobs-market-slowdown-set-to-dominate-economic-debate/story-e6frg9qo-1226719598666
²http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-12/jobless-rate-up/4953338
³http://www.hays.com.au/press-releases/HAYS_113335
Marketing.com.au would like to thank Sally Wood for sharing this great advice on what to bear in mind when using recruitment agencies.
About Sally Wood
Having worked in marketing, communications and public relations roles for over ten years, Sally’s past life includes a plethora of activities, some of which even she can’t believe she was lucky enough to try her hand at. There was the development and implementation of internal communication programs for burly construction contractors; PR campaigns to launch The Simpson’s products (which just happened to involve carting life-sized Simpson figures around the country); people (and media) wrangling at Flemington’s birdcage for high-profile clients during the Melbourne Cup Carnival; CSR program design, implementation and GRI-accredited reporting; and, most recently, copywriting and internal stakeholder relations in a most serious corporate environment. Somehow, in the midst of all that, she also managed to get stuck into some study, undertaking a Bachelor of Arts / Law, completing a Postgraduate Bachelor of Letters in Public Relations and Journalism and recently starting an MBA.