So, you get an interview with your prospective employer at line manager level. Because you found out about the position through word of mouth, it’s likely you don’t have much information about the position, its history nor interviewing style of the line manager. These are a few most obvious shortfalls. Although you've got a recommendation from a current employee you're going into a meeting - where first impressions are paramount - relatively blind.

On the other hand, let’s assume this position has been advertised via the company’s preferred recruitment supplier network as well as on their company intranet. You locate a position on an internet job board very similar to the one you have heard about through your professional network.

You call the recruitment agency advertising the position and find out they are representing the same company and position. In this conversation, you find out more of the positions requirements and discuss your suitability.

You now have to make a call. You've discovered more about the position and have a recruiter onside to represent you - but you also have an opportunity to apply direct and represent yourself.

Applying via an agency can offer many important tools that aren't available when applying direct. Your recruitment consultant acts as a mediator who understands the recruitment process better than you and can present you in the most professional and effective way. Through partnering with your consultant, your initial application will include a written and later verbal summary of your strengths specific to the needs of the position that are often left out of advertisements due to their internally sensitive nature.

You also have third party to negotiate remuneration which avoids any misconceptions and can take the 'sting' out of an unfavourable employment offer. If you haven't interviewed many times in your career, having a professional provide you with tips on how to present yourself most effectively can be invaluable. You have an employment mentor throughout the whole process who can answer queries or find out information that may be difficult or 'un-pc' to ask directly.

A common misconception is that company's frown on paying recruitment fees which can work against a candidates' application. These expenses are part of every company’s annual budget. "A company is only as good as its people" is a well known cliché and is one reason why recruitment fees are factored into budgets and why more and more companies are using agencies to source staff.

The pro's of applying through an agency are the con's of applying directly and vice versa. The question that remains is: am I experienced enough to negotiate my way through the recruitment process and get the best possible offer or are my interests better served using the experience of a professional recruiter? After all it’s a free, professional service and there’s no doubt the recruitment consultant will do their utmost secure the best possible offer for you