Your next career adventure is around the corner – with the help of a recruitment agency, finding a job in Europe can be a smooth and seamless process.
We know how demoralizing it can be, wading through streams of listings uploading reams of applications and motivation letters into what can feel like a cyber black hole… But looking for a job doesn’t have to be stressful, frustrating and tedious!
Finding a job in Europe with a recruitment agency, for example, is a sure-fire way to surf smoothly through the flotsam and jetsam of the job search, and secure a role which fits your skills, your experience, your personality AND even your aspirations and ethics.
David Morel is the founder and CEO of Tiger Recruitment, a London-based firm specializing in PA and secretarial positions across Europe. He says using an overseas employment agency to find a job in Europe is perfect for individuals with well-defined career goals: “Signing up with an international recruitment agency costs nothing, and is a very effective way for job seekers to find their ideal match. A good agency will be right behind you promoting your name, your brand and your credentials to their clients.”
Tiger Recruitment gives you some insider tips on getting a job using a recruitment agency in Europe, the advantages (and possible pitfalls), and which international agencies can help you find a job in your field.
Find a job in Europe using a recruitment agency
So you want to find a job in Europe using an employment agency? Perhaps you’ve already been ‘headhunted’ via your LinkedIn profile or personal website, but the approach came to nothing. David suggests reaching out to an overseas employment agency specializing in your profession.
“Many agencies differentiate themselves into sectors. A good agency will also avoid the ‘cookie cutter’ approach. We’ll invest time getting to know both the client and the candidate, and work hard to find the right match,” he explains.
“And if we can’t meet the candidate in person, we meet them online via video to get to know them. It’s a really well invested 20 minutes.”
Why use a recruitment agency?
There are many advantages to finding a job in a European country with a recruitment agency. Bottom line is that they probably know the local job market far better than you do. They should know their clients and the type of candidate (beyond just skills and experience) they typically look for.
An agency should therefore know what it takes to get you to the interview stage and beyond (that is their raison d’être, after all). This might include offering advice on tweaking your CV or interview techniques, which may be quite different to what you’re used to – the chatty, witty repartee which works wonders in Dublin, for example, may fall on deafer ears in Frankfurt.
“As an international agency handling recruitment in Germany, Switzerland and France, we know how important it is to develop a thorough understanding of business etiquette and culture in each country,” David explains.
Do your homework on the agency (look for testimonials, perhaps), as well as research the prospective employer – what it’s like to work there (Glassdoor is useful for candid employee reviews), benefits, career progression potential, and the work culture. A good agency should (within reason) know their client sufficiently well to answer your questions directly.
International agency vs. local specialist
There are inherent advantages to finding a job in Europe through a large international recruitment agency. They will typically have many expat placements under their belts, and many clients that employ expats on their books. A large overseas employment agency should know the formalities involved in hiring non-EU nationals (work permits, etc.) in each country. They might also have the inside track on jobs which are not (and may never be) in the public domain. And if you get an offer, they may be able to help negotiate your package with the employer.
A local agency would likely have less experience dealing with expats – and if you don’t know the local language, you might be at a significant disadvantage with their clients. But on the plus side, you might have specific expertise on the location: think banking or finance in Switzerland or Luxembourg, engineering, oil or gas in Rotterdam.
Weigh up the pros and cons when looking for work in Europe using an employment agency.
Expert tips for expats
Europe is diverse, and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to your job hunt. But there are some trusty tips which, says David, apply to most markets.
“Language skills are important. Unless it is an international firm, most employers in Europe need English plus another language as a pre-requisite.
“Many employers also still value longevity in jobs. If you have job-hopped, justify why – you may have a very good reason, but know your CV inside out.
“It’s a candidate-led market at the moment. People have choices. Workplaces are increasingly saying: ‘how can we get the best out of you from the time you’re in the office.’ It isn’t about doing a certain number of hours a day. So, on your CV, emphasize your contributions and achievements, even if it was for only a year!”
“We’re also seeing an increase in hybrid roles: for example, a position which combines PA and finance functions, or PA and project tasks.”
Leading international recruitment agencies in Europe
As one of the world’s biggest economic blocs employing more than 200 million people (according to the European Commission), Europe has a well-developed recruitment agencies network. Candidates looking to find a new job in Europe with an agency typically engage specialist international recruiters. Continue reading…..
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