by Optimum
Share
The short version
Our service is free for candidates, every application is reviewed by a member of our team, and we support you at each stage.
For candidates who have not worked with a recruitment agency before, the process can seem unclear. Common questions include who reads your resume, whether there is a cost involved, and why you speak with a recruiter before meeting the employer.
This guide explains how the application process works at Optimum Consulting, from your first point of contact through to your first months in a new role. Our service is free for candidates, every application is reviewed by a member of our team, and we support you at each stage.
Our approach is built on our motto: "We believe in the inherent goodness of people, and good people make great organisations". Our clients are the businesses that are hiring, and our role is to connect them with the right people. To do that well, we invest time in understanding both sides, including each client's goals and challenges, and each candidate's experience, motivations and career direction.
Watch the video: Mia, one of our recruiters, provides a short overview of the process.
Three Ways To Start The Conversation
Your journey with Optimum can begin in one of three ways, and not all of them require a current job advertisement.
- We contact you. When your experience aligns with a role we are recruiting for, we may approach you directly, even if you are not actively looking for a new position.
- You apply for an advertised role. Our vacancies are advertised on job boards, LinkedIn and the Optimum website, and you can apply directly through any of these channels.
- You contact us. If none of our current roles suits you, you are welcome to send us your resume with a brief summary of your background and the type of role you are seeking. We will keep your details on file and contact you when a suitable opportunity arises.
The Application Process In 9 Steps
The process involves nine stages, each outlined below. Our service remains free for candidates throughout.
The process
Your Journey At A Glance
-
Application Review
A real person reads it
-
Meet Your Recruiter
We get to know you
-
Put Forward
Only with your okay
-
Client Interviews
Prepared and briefed
-
Feedback
Both ways, every time
-
Verbal Offer
We negotiate and confirm terms
-
References
Helping us present you well
-
Final Contract
Checked before you sign
-
Onboarding
We stay in touch
Application ReviewEvery application is read by a real person on our team, not filtered out by software. If your experience suits the role, we will be in touch to arrange a conversation.
Meet Your RecruiterYour recruiter takes the time to understand your experience, your goals and what matters to you in your next role, so the opportunities we discuss genuinely fit.
Put ForwardWe never send your resume to a client without your permission. You will always know which organisation and which role we are presenting you for.
Client InterviewsBefore each interview we brief you on the organisation, the people you will meet and what to expect, so you can walk in prepared and confident.
FeedbackAfter every interview we pass on the client's feedback to you, and we want to hear how it went from your side as well.
Verbal OfferWhen a verbal offer is made, we negotiate on your behalf, including salary and conditions. Once you are happy with the terms, we confirm them with the client so everyone is clear on what has been agreed.
ReferencesWe may ask for references at any stage, often early in the process. They help us understand your strengths and present you more effectively to the client. A reference check is a normal part of the process and does not mean an offer is guaranteed.
Final ContractYour final employment contract is issued by the employer. Before you sign, we check it reflects the terms agreed at verbal offer stage, answer your questions and help coordinate your start date.
OnboardingOnce you start, we stay in touch to make sure the role is everything you expected and you are settling in well.
Free for candidates, from start to finish.
Step 1: A real person reads your application
Every application we receive is reviewed by a member of our team rather than screened by artificial intelligence. A resume reflects a career, not a collection of keywords, and a personal review allows us to understand your experience in full. It also means we can discuss both the role you applied for and other opportunities that may suit you.
Step 2: You meet your recruiter before the client
Before introducing you to a client, we meet with you to understand your background, assess your experience against the client's requirements and learn what motivates you. This meeting is also an opportunity for us to provide interview guidance and discuss salary expectations openly. As a result, your time with the client can focus on the role and the value you would bring to it.
Please note: meeting with us does not guarantee a place on the client shortlist. Our clients rely on us to present only the strongest matches for each brief. Where a role is not the right fit, we will tell you so directly, explain how your experience compares with the market for that position and keep you in mind for more suitable opportunities.
Step 3: We put you forward, with your permission
When you are a strong match for a role, we present your application to the client, and only ever with your consent. Your details remain confidential, and your resume is never shared without your approval. Rather than simply forwarding your resume, we prepare a tailored candidate summary and speak with the client directly about your strengths and motivations.
Step 4: You walk into your interview prepared
Before each client interview, we brief you on the format, the people you will meet and what we know of the organisation's goals and culture. We also help you prepare relevant examples from your experience and consider the questions you may wish to ask. Our aim is for you to approach every interview informed and confident.
Step 5: Honest feedback, both ways
Following each interview, we seek your impressions of the role and obtain feedback from the client. This two-way exchange ensures both parties are well prepared if the process moves to offer stage. If the outcome is unsuccessful, we provide honest and constructive feedback and continue to consider you for future roles.
Step 6: We represent you at verbal offer stage
When the client is interested, we confirm what a verbal offer could be. We will have the conversation to ensure that both parties are comfortable. Once you are happy with the terms, we confirm them with the client so everyone is clear on what has been agreed. And we will confirm if the client is happy to progress to the reference stage.
Step 7: References work for you
We may ask for references at any stage, it could be early in the process. Strong references help us understand your strengths and present you more effectively to the client, and they support what you have discussed at interview. An early request usually means we are looking to strengthen your candidacy.
A reference check is a normal part of the process and does not mean an offer is guaranteed.
Tip
Prepare your referees early. Choose people who have managed you recently and let them know they may be contacted.
Step 8: We check your contract before you sign
Once references have been approved, both client and candidate are happy with the verbal offer negotiated, then we will proceed with the final contract. Your employment contract is issued by the employer. Before you sign, we check that it reflects the terms agreed at verbal offer stage, answer your questions and help coordinate your start date and notice period. If anything does not match what was agreed, we raise it with the client on your behalf.
Please note: we are not able to provide legal advice. If you have questions about specific contract clauses, we recommend seeking independent advice.
Step 9: We stay in touch after you start
Our involvement continues after you accept an offer. We stay in contact with you and the client throughout onboarding, gather feedback from both sides and assist with any issues that arise. We measure success not by the day an offer is signed, but by where you are a year later.
"We measure success not by the day an offer is signed, but by where you are a year later."
Getting The Most Out Of Working With Us
While your resume shows us what you have achieved, your motivations tell us where you are likely to thrive. The following will help us find a role that genuinely suits you.
- Be open about your priorities. Let us know what matters most to you, whether that is the role itself, the workplace culture, salary or flexibility.
- Keep us informed. Tell us about other interviews, offers or changes in your circumstances.
- Ask questions. We are happy to answer any question about a role or the process.
- Be yourself. The right role is one in which you can thrive as you are.
Common Questions
Do I have to pay for your service?
No. Our fees are paid by the client organisations that engage us, so our service is free for candidates.
Is my resume screened by AI?
No. Every application is reviewed personally by a member of the Optimum team.
Why do I meet a recruiter before the client?
Meeting with us first allows us to assess your experience against the role, present your background effectively to the client and prepare you for the interview.
Will my current employer find out?
No. Your details are kept confidential and are only shared with your permission.
Ready When You Are
Our goal is not simply to fill roles, but to help people find workplaces where they will thrive. We invite you to browse our current vacancies or, if none suits you at present, to get in touch and tell us about your experience and career goals.
