Recruitment Agencies and Finding Work

An agency may help you find suitable vacancies, arrange interviews and explain what an employer is looking for.

For a permanent job, you will usually be employed directly by the employer. For temporary assignments, you may work through an agency or another payroll arrangement. Ask who will employ and pay you before accepting.

Registering does not guarantee work. Vacancies and services vary between agencies and local branches.

These are external organisations. Their inclusion does not mean they are partners of Sixpence Support UK.

Prepare a simple CV covering your skills, experience and contact details. You can include relevant volunteering, training and caring experience.

Tell the recruiter:

• What kind of work you want.
• Which days and hours you can manage.
• How far you can travel.
• Whether you need part-time, remote or flexible work.
• Any support you need during the application process.

Ask before the agency sends your CV to an employer, and keep a record of applications.

You can ask for adjustments to help you take part in recruitment. These might include an accessible interview room, an alternative application format or changes to a recruitment test.

In Great Britain, employers must make reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants where required. Northern Ireland has separate disability legislation and guidance.

Explain the practical support you need. You do not need to put your full medical history on your CV.

Ask for clear written information about:

• The job duties and location.
• Hours, shifts and expected length of the work.
• Your pay rate and payment dates.
• Who will employ and pay you.
• Holiday pay and any deductions.
• Travel, equipment or other costs.
• Whether hours are guaranteed.

For temporary agency work, ask for your key information document and written terms. If an umbrella company is involved, ask for a breakdown showing how the advertised rate becomes your take-home pay.

Recruitment agencies generally cannot charge you for finding or trying to find you work. Different rules apply to entertainment and modelling agencies.

Optional services, such as CV writing or training, may carry charges. Agencies must explain these charges and cannot make buying those services a condition of finding you work.

Be cautious about unexpected job offers, pressure to pay immediately or promises of unusually high earnings for very little work.

• Check the recruiter through the company’s official website. Contact the company using details you find independently.
• Never share bank passwords, PINs or one-time security codes.
• Only provide identity documents through a verified process after checking who is requesting them and why.

Starting work or changing your hours can affect some benefits. Check the rules for your own claim and report changes through the correct benefit service.

Our information and signposting are free, with no hidden costs.

If you find a letter or application wording difficult to understand, contact us and explain what help you need.

Sixpence Support UK is not a recruitment agency and cannot promise a job. We help people find information and services so they can take their next step.

Contact: help@sixpencesupportuk.org