Recruitment agencies ‘should go extra mile in recession’

As the recession rumbles on, UK recruitment agencies have been advised that they need to be going the extra mile, as those offering additional services to their clients are performing better during the economic downturn.

Lisette Howlett, managing director of HireScores.com, said that one of the problems employers are facing amid the slowdown is that for every job they have, there is a multitude of applications for the position – which may lead to an administration nightmare for HR teams.

"So value-ad[ded] agencies [which] actually work in partnership and actually work on the candidates fit rather than just the candidates supply, have actually managed to retain their position and continue to be valued by employers," she explained.

Ms Howlett added that candidates are also more likely to be depending on recruitment agencies as they may feel they need more help while there are fewer jobs available.

Research released last week by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and KPMG showed the third month of consecutive growth in both permanent placements and temporary billings during October.