Any employment recruiters you work with will most likely have a pivotal impact on the future of your career, so choosing the right one is critical. With around 500 consultants in the Auckland area alone, it would be easy to overlook the firm which just might be holding your dream job.

Jacqui Barratt, president of Recruitment and Consulting Services Association in New Zealand, (RCSA) says to select carefully.

"Choosing a new job is an important and quite often an emotional decision. It's really vital that the candidate takes the time to really think about the recruitment company that's right for them."

RCSA members are asked to conform to a code of conduct but not all recruiters are created equal.

"At the end of the day, like any industry, you'll have good performers and you'll have people that perform below that standard."

To find the consultant which is right for you, Barratt suggests first talking with friends and family for a possible referral. Research the agencies on the internet and determine whether you need a specialist or a generalist. Someone in a very niche market might want to work only with a recruiter who understands that unique skill set. But a generalist might also be able to find you temporary work before you find your specialist appointment.

If you entertain the possibility of moving overseas, that could have a bearing on which consultants you select.

"Do you want to work with an agency that has international links and can look at international positions for you?"

But whichever agencies you go with, make sure they are willing to work for you.

"In this day and age a candidate really should be looking for a recruiter who's going to be pro-active for them and not just wait for job opportunities to come to them but actively work on their behalf to find them the right role."

The size of the agency you choose might also be a factor. Large organisations might have more jobs on offer. But the small "one man band" recruiter which specialises in your field might have a job which is the perfect fit for you.

But not just the recruitment company you need to scrutinise. The individual consultant you're dealing with can have the biggest impact on your recruitment experience. Ask the right questions.

"You're interviewing them as much as they're interviewing you. You want to be asking them probing questions about what they're going to do on your behalf. How long have they been in the industry? What experience do they have?"

You should have some level of comfort that you're talking to the right person. That should start from your initial consultation.