In a booming job market and a growing economy, there are many new employment opportunities. The HR team of the company may not always be in a position to fill all the vacancies. A placement agency can be very helpful in this scenario, where they have a large database of people and can help by referring suitable candidates. Alternatively, they can also "scour" for candidates for certain specific requirements outside their database.
They use various forms of media to advertise, newspaper and the Internet being the most common, among others. Many placement agencies specialize in particular industry verticals, while many others may provide candidates ranging from part-time and contract employment to long-term and full time employment. At times, companies might completely outsource all of their recruitment activities to a recruiting agency.
For Employees
A person looking for a job change usually registers with a placement agency. The agency may then conduct a basic interview to get to know the candidate before referring them to a company. Thus, a recruitment company can have thousands of candidates at a time. They usually use the media to advertise their services and register people even if they don't have a particular opening. In this way, they try to make sure that they have a few people in hand when a particular requirement crops up. They also use social networks and referrals.
It makes sense for employees to register with couple of agencies if they looking for better job prospects. However, some candidates have experienced that they do not hear from their placement agents after they have gone through the long procedure of registration and interview. For a candidate to get good offers, it is important to stay in touch with the agency and be on good terms with them. That way, if they have a new offer matching the profile, they are likely to be contacted first. The key is to be on the top of their list. Candidates should let their placement consultant know that they have registered with other consultants. They are less likely to contact you first in that case.
Headhunters
These are recruiters who try to poach employees from their current employers when they have certain specific requirements. This is usually done at the most senior job levels. However, they usually have a deal with the employer that once they have helped them recruit a candidate, they will not offer him other job and again try to poach them away.
It is clear that placements agents and headhunters can help ease things for the employer as well as employee, with both getting what they are looking for.
