Whether you’ve just graduated or have experience in recruitment and want a change, there are many different recruitment agencies out there, which tend to fall into one of two types. It’s important to find the one that’s right for you, with a company culture and way of working that suits you best. In this article, we’ll give you some pointers to help you do just that.
Type 1: High-performance environment
The focus in this kind of recruitment environment is results. High achievers will receive high commission and various other incentives for their efforts. These agencies tend to be larger businesses with a global presence and premises in different countries.
Why work in a high-performance environment?
A high-performance environment is probably right for you if you’re after a dynamic workplace with constant action. As we already mentioned, the generous commission can be a very tempting incentive too. Since turnover is high, there is usually a well-structured training programme in place, so you can get up to speed in your role quickly. Overall, it’s a great environment in which to learn more about recruitment and gain valuable lessons for the future.
Who is it for?
This kind of environment will suit people who deal with stress well, who like to work independently and focus on their own results, whose work is not affected by the ambiance in a workplace and can perform any time, any place, and who are driven and motivated by the prospect of financial reward.
Type 2: People-first environment
This kind of recruitment agency, in contrast, emphasises the fact that happy employees will perform better and more efficiently. They are built on teamwork, trust and responsibility, which motivate employees to succeed. This is the kind of environment often found in smaller companies or agencies that have retained their start-up mentality even after growing and expanding.
The team at MyNextCompany (previously branded ClearSource) is an example of a people-first environment. There is a strong focus on employee happiness, without compromising the high quality of work and top results. Take a look at one of our recruiters talking about the work and the team.
Why work in a people-first environment?
A people-first agency is likely to suit you if you believe that teamwork is the way to achieve success and increase business. There is a strong supportive culture from managers, who see employees’ wellbeing as important and don’t believe that results should compromise workers’ happiness. You can also expect to enjoy incentives like complimentary holidays and performance bonuses, so there is more than enough to motivate you to succeed!
Who is it for?
This kind of environment could be ideal for you if you are sociable and enjoy interacting with others. Teamwork is central, so if you enjoy working collaboratively, it’s the perfect option for you. It’s also great for people who are keen to find ways to work smarter and more efficiently rather than just increase their working hours, and who are after a longer-term role in which they can grow and develop.
It’s important to note that this comparison is generic, so there will of course be some agencies which fall into neither type or which are a combination of the two. Small agencies can also be results-driven, and global firms can also value employee wellbeing highly – it all depends on the company.
To get the clearest idea of whether an agency is right for you, don’t be afraid to ask your interviewer about the company culture and values. Online resources like Glassdoor and LinkedIn are also valuable for finding out more about what past and present employees think of the company.
Help! I have no idea what's best for me
What should you do if you are still unsure what the right workplace is for you? There are experienced people out there who can help you weigh in the pros and cons. MyNextCompany has a team of professional career coaches who are glad to help you in your career choices.
Would you like to talk to one of them?
