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Recruitment agencies 'need to do more during recession'

Recruitment agencies need to be doing more during the recession to present their clients with applicants who are suitable for a role, it has been claimed.

Lisette Howlett, managing director of HireScores.com, said businesses would be more willing to use agencies which vet candidates prior to meetings and that offer a service whereby they ensure applicants fit the role and do not just provide a list of names on a piece of paper.

She commented: "Value-added agencies [that] actually work in partnership and ... 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."

According to a report by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, permanent salaries fell only marginally in October and at the slowest pace in the current 13-month period of decline. Temporary staff pay also registered a weaker drop, with the latest fall the smallest in a year.

However, demand for permanent staff grew for the first time in 17 months, while demand for temps increased again following September's slight gain.