Overview of recruitment process 

As a recruiter your clients can come from a variety of organisations but the following module describes the approaches which are the most common. Organisations that originally commission research are called “the end client”. If recruitment is straightforward the end client may come directly to you as a recruiter. Alternatively, the end client could commission a research agency to develop any methodology for a research project, conduct the research and present the findings. The research agency in these circumstances come directly to you as a recruiter, or if the recruitment is complex, or over multiple locations, they might appoint a fieldwork agency to organise the venues and the recruitment. The fieldwork agency might appoint one recruiter or several recruiters to recruit in different locations.

Contracts between clients and recruiters

When an organisation retains your services to undertake recruitment you must have a contract directly with the ‘client’ (whether an end client, a research agency or a field agency) and all queries should be directed to them.

A contract does not have to be a lengthy legal document rather a statement of the terms by which your services are being retained and any client requirements that you have agreed to follow.  This needs to be verifiable, i.e. a written document including email correspondence.

The need for a written contact is a requirement within the Data Protection Act 2018 (see data protection and GDPR module for more information) and the MRS Code of Conduct, both of which requirements underpin recruiter activities.