Here are some of the main types of recruitment agencies you will find with some of their key features for you as an employee.

Large multinational recruitment agencies. These agencies benefit from economies of scale and employ hundreds and possibly thousands of staff worldwide. The majority have established brands in their markets and they are likely to employ a business development specialist to generate new customers. Recruitment consultants in these companies are likely to have a fairly narrow role with resourcers searching databases initially, consultants doing the final selection for submitting to the client, with the recruiting manager ultimately managing the relationship.

Large recruitment agencies generally have established internal training schemes in place
Including initial training courses and on-the-job training as you grow into the role. Furthermore, successful recruitment consultants will have development opportunities, with promotion through the existing office or even transfers between offices or different companies. That said, competition will be fierce from the other consultants in the organisation.

Smaller cross functional recruitment agencies. These are abundant in the UK, usually stemming from a sector specific agency which has expanded to offer services to other areas. For example an agency that specialises in salesperson recruitment may open a graduate recruitment department, or maybe a catering agency that diversifies into hospitality. In these companies you are likely to find you have an all encompassing role with greater autonomy, possibly responsible for a desk of a particular sector, or at least part of a smaller team than you would be in, if employed by larger organisations. These jobs may reap greater responsibility with the added pressure to go with it. Smaller recruitment agencies tend to offer less training, so often seek to employ those with job specific experience.

Temporary recruitment agencies. Often found on the High Street or in sectors where contract work is common, such as construction, social care, manufacture and pharmacy. In these roles you will have candidates employed by your agency on behalf of the client generating frequent but usually smaller fees. Instead of the one of 'big hit' sought by permanent recruitment agencies, these roles involve increased elements of account management, insofar as you will be in constantly required to fill your clients' vacancies. You also have the responsibility of managing candidates, whose performance for the client enhances or damages you reputation as a recruitment consultant. A temporary worker who fails to show for work won't do you any favours; but repeated appointments of reliable workers will help to establish a rapport between you and the client.

Small boutique/niche specific recruitment agencies. Often, these are either businesses of ex-recruitment consultants or an industry manager who has experience of recruitment services. In these companies you will feel like you are on the cutting edge of business, with fortunes swaying month on month. There can be very high rewards for excellent performance and the business will have relatively low overheads. However, the risk of gaining high rewards is offset by the possibility of feeling pinch much more than other firms when your performance is not so good. Training is very limited, perhaps shadowing an experienced consultant or Director for a few days. Moreover, the chances of professional development may be hindered if the agency is to remain small, but if you think you would enjoy being a big fish in a small pond this may be for you.

If you have ambitions of a career in recruitment, it would be advisable to experience different types of recruitment agencies at ground level. Agencies vary greatly in their work practices and cultures; the types of tasks and the amounts of pressure you will face will vary greatly from place to place.