Ask Manda: Tips for Calling a Recruitment Agency

Manda Milling • June 16, 2021

What should I say when I ring a recruitment agency looking for work and I'm not applying to a specific job ad? 

Well, you have started on the right track! Ringing and speaking to someone will assist you in standing out from your competition. When you ring the general phone number of a recruitment agency, you need to be specific about what you want. By that, I mean what type of work you are looking for, whether you are seeking a permanent or a temporary position and your preferred work location., It's important that the person who has answered your call can direct you to speak with the recruitment consultant who can best assist you quickly.  

Therefore, you need to be able to provide some basic information: as I mentioned, type of role, nature of employment and location. You don't need to go into large amounts of detail, because you will only have to repeat yourself when speaking to the specialist consultant. As the general office number can receive a high call volume, ideally you want to be connected quickly and usually the person answering the phone isn't the person best placed to assist you. Recruitment consultants tend to specialize in either temporary or permanent recruitment, work and industry disciplines (e.g. accounting or administration roles) or geographical locations. Your time is valuable, so you need to be connected as fast as possible to the best person possible.

Have a question for Manda Milling, people2people Director? Let us know in the comments or tweet @p2pManda!

Find the job you love I Find the right talent
Get in touch with people2people

Australia   I   United Kingdom

In business since 2002 in Australia, NZ, and the United Kingdom, people2people is an award-winning recruitment agency with people at our heart. With over 12 offices, we specialise in accounting and finance, business support, education, executive, government, HR, legal, marketing and digital, property, sales, supply chain, and technology sectors. As the proud recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Large Agency and Excellence in Candidate Care Awards, we are dedicated to helping businesses achieve success through a people-first approach.



Share insights

Recent articles

By Bianca Luck July 31, 2025
Across Australia and New Zealand, finance leaders are balancing automation, flexibility, and rising pay demands. In this joint update, Leanne Allen and Chris Yam share how stable teams, upskilling, and strategic roles are redefining accounting and finance for 2025.
By Liz Punshon July 28, 2025
Australia's labour market in 2025 is marked by rising applications, fewer job vacancies, and growing uncertainty for both employers and job seekers. While it may appear to be an employer's market, challenges like irrelevant applications and low candidate reliability persist. This update breaks down the state-level trends and strategic responses shaping recruitment.
By Aiden Boast July 24, 2025
With AI reshaping content and remote teams on the rise, the marketing world is in flux. In this update, Nicole Clarke explains how marketers can stay ahead by mastering new tools, preserving quality, and adapting quickly. Discover what it takes to lead in the age of automation.
By Bianca Luck July 21, 2025
The accounting and finance sector enters 2025 facing familiar challenges: talent shortages, growing expectations, and the push for system upgrades. With competition high, employers are rethinking training, contract hiring, and technology use. This update outlines where demand is strongest and how teams can adapt.
By Leanne Lazarus July 17, 2025
Rising expectations and shifting demographics are challenging HR teams to rethink how they support, engage, and retain staff. In this update, Adeline Rooney shares how Cancer Council Queensland is addressing these shifts through skills-based hiring, technology, and total rewards.

Latest Media Features


Get in touch

Find out more by contacting one of our specialisat recruitment consultants across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Contact us