A consulting firm is a business that offers specialized expertise to its clients, which may be businesses or individuals. Different firms offer different types of advice, and although there are many types of firms, some of the most popular focus on information technology (IT) and management.
Other types consult about include environmental issues and human resources. Each business consulting firm operates in a different manner. Firms may offer consultants who concentrate on a specific project or those who help train and implement changes to a staff to accomplish specific goals.Project-oriented firms typically specialize in a single business function, such as supply chain or customer relationship management (CRM).
These firms analyze their clients’ needs and manage development, implementation and training until it is completed. A firm that concentrates on staff augmentation begins its service after a client’s business has been analyzed and projects have been outlined and budgeted. Staff augmentation firms offer very specific resources, methodologies and training, and their job is also complete upon implementation.In some cases, a business may need to hire multiple consultants for different areas which need improvement. For example, a large company may contact a management consultant to help it increase production.
After a company analysis, the individual might recommend implementing new computer hardware and software. If the business does not have the knowledge or capability to implement the new technology, it hires an IT consultant to complete the project. Consultancy organisations render expert advise on a variety of matters. There are engineering consultancy organisations which specialise in rendering advice on engineering details.
In the non-engineering fields too,consultancy organisations are numerous. There are professionals like Chartered Accountants, Cost and work accountants,Company secretaries ,Management experts, Doctors etc, who render various services. The primary purpose of a consulting firm is to provide access to industry-specific specialists / consultants and subject matter expertise. There are different types of consulting firms serving different sectors. They mainly fall under the following fields, * Financial * Information technology * Management Human Resources * Legal * Hotel and Hospitality industry On top of the above mentioned divisions, there are consulting firms which serve niche sectors like Advertising/Marketing/Public relations consulting,[2] Environmental consulting, Energy consulting, Consulting in Politics and the Public Sector, Real Estate consulting etc. How Employment Agencies Work An employment agency is a firm hired by a company to help with its staffing needs.
Employment agencies find people to fill all kinds of jobs, from temporary to full-time, in a number of career fields.Whether a company needs a nurse, an administrative assistant, a manager or a carpenter, an employment agency can find the right employee Both public and private employment agencies help place workers. In the United States, one of the major public employment agencies is the U. S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. This agency provides job-seeking services and tools for workers through online resources and a network of offices around the country.
It promotes public and private sector jobs by linking to national and state job banks.Private employment agencies also help place workers, particularly in the private sector. These employment agencies tend to specialize in one of three fields: * personnel placement services * staffing services, also known as temporary help services * executive search firms All told, these companies put millions of people to work every day. In fact, in the temporary and contract industry, over two million people are employed by staffing companies every business day, and staffing companies hire 8. 6 million temporary and contract employees every year.
Function of an Employment AgencyFor employers, an employment agency can take the grunt work out of human resources. Filling an open position takes time and money. The American Staffing Association estimates that hiring a worker can cost 7 to 20 percent of that position's salary and take 30 to 45 days to fill [source: American Staffing Association]. That can be pretty taxing to some companies, so it's worth their while to farm out the hiring process to a recruiter at an employment agency.
When a business needs a specific person for a job, it'll contract with a personnel placement services firm, also called a recruiter.The recruiter handles the search process and matches up an employee with the job in question, lining up potential candidates who interview with the company. For senior-level management positions, a company may choose to hire an executive search firm, also known as a headhunter. An executive search firm works under a retainer agreement from the hiring company and uses a set code of standards to identify and place workers in these highly visible positions. When a company just needs a vacation fill-in or someone to work for a few months, it uses a staffing agency.Staffing agencies provide skilled employees to work on a temporary or contract basis.
Some employers also use staffing agencies as recruiters in positions known as "temp to perm," meaning the position is temporary, but it could lead to a permanent position if the worker and company are a good fit. For job seekers, an employment agency can be the ticket to getting that full-time job. The public employment service is free and offers a lot of tools. Recruiters can open doors to positions that may not be easy to find on your own.Staffing companies allow you to try out different companies and industries, and they're also great for those looking for short-term or part-time work.
Another bonus of using an employment agency is access to training. Many employment agencies offer free training in a variety of skill-building tools, such as software programs and computer skills. Those who take advantage of these skills can build up their resumes, making them more marketable for the employment agency. ROLE OF PLACEMENT CONSULTANTS IN RECRUITMENT As a recruitment consultant your role is to work with both employers and job seekers to facilitate a successful match.Whether you’re advising one of the world’s largest companies on a candidate sourcing strategy or helping a potential candidate take the next step in their career, this exciting and rewarding role will set you on the path for success.
At Michael Page, consultants manage the recruitment process for both candidates and clients from start to finish. Key elements of the role include: * Providing market knowledge and advice to employers * Sourcing suitable candidates via networking, advertising and referrals * Maintaining candidate networks Providing resume, interview and career advice to candidates * Interviewing candidates on a general basis and for specific roles * Managing the job offer process and negotiating salary packages * Maintaining market and commercial awareness through research and networking * Working as part of a team to maximise Michael Page’s commercial performance * Developing and managing ongoing client relationships - both on the phone and face to face * Organising and attending regular client entertainment events – including sporting events, seminars with guest speakers, the annual Michael Page Trivia night where corporate teams compete to raise money for charity and other recreational activities
