Recruiters and Your Job Search
Finding employment on your own is often frustrating and a bit overwhelming. With a recruiter as your middle man — or woman you may have far more knocks at the door of opportunity.
What You Need to Know
Everyone knows that a successful job search requires networking, having a well-written resume, preparing for interviews, as well as being proactive and conducting informational interviews. Another part of your job search could include working with a recruiter. Developing a good relationship with a recruiter can be another excellent opportunity to expand your job search.
The recruiter is there to work with you, finding a good match between your skills and the requirements of the positions at the companies they are working with.
|
Don't Be Fooled
Don't make the mistake of thinking that once you've found a recruiter that your work is over. A good recruiter will always tell you to continue with your job search by sending resumes, continuing to network, and schedule informational interviews. You should think of the job search as a team effort and working with a recruiter as just another part of your team. The recruiter is there to work with you, finding a good match between your skills and the requirements of the positions at the companies they are working with.
A Good Relationship
Remember a recruiter generally works with a particular set of companies. You could have great skills and credentials, but the recruiter's particular companies may not have a need for someone like you at this time. Recruiters almost always work proactively and try to create a good match between the candidate and the client. Because recruiters establish good relationships with client companies (even if there isn't an opening listed) they will present you to the company if you have qualifications that the recruiters know the company might be interested in.
Again, as with any interview, come prepared for your initial consultation with a recruiter. Treat the recruiter as you would any employer. Bring a well-written resume and at least two references that can attest to your abilities on the job. Recruiters cannot send you on interviews with their client companies until they have checked your references. Here's a suggestion, stay in contact with past supervisors, even if they have joined another company, so they can be available to attest to your performance.
Increasing Your Chances
Should you try to visit several offices and meet several recruiters in the larger firms? No. Make contacts that are convenient and time-efficient. But don't waste valuable time that you could devote to other aspects of a well-rounded job search.
The only sure way to develop a good relationship with any recruiting firm, large or small is to be frank and helpful whenever they call to ask about your personal career goals and experience. With this attitude you're helping the recruiter, not just trying to get them to help you. If you sound impressive on the phone and you genuinely try to help, those facts will be duly noted in your file.
Patience is the Key
As with any other aspect of the job search, being patient with the process is key to your success. You need to understand that recruiters can't invent jobs for you nor can they call and coerce the hiring managers at client companies. Most recruiters will advise that open and honest communication will work best in building trust and rapport. For instance, recruiters need to know if you're interviewing (simultaneously) for other positions when they send you on an interview. This information can be used to your benefit with the hiring manager.
Working with recruiters can certainly help you find a position faster. However, it's important to remember that recruiters are there to assist you in this process but can only be successful if you're both honest and cooperative.
Start Your Job Search Today
Search through our exciting job opportunities now.
If you’re looking for more permanent employment – TEKsystems has permanent positions on our staff both in recruiting and sales and other internal jobs.
If you haven’t already: Submit your resume, and be part of our network when the perfect job becomes available.
Not sure how to begin this process? If it’s your first time working with a staffing firm, we can help walk you through things. We can even help you with your resume and give you lots of other career advice in our career tools center.