Working with a recruiter is one of the best ways to get the job you want. However, some people aren’t fully across how to make the most of recruiters. Here are six helpful points to help you better utilise the relationship.
1. Be clear about your expectations
It’s important that you are clearly communicate your expectations at the outset. You need to establish how you want the recruiter to approach the job hunt. For instance, are you happy for them to put you forward for any jobs they feel could work? If so, it’s still important to ensure they keep you informed about which positions they have submitted you for and when.
If you want more confidentiality and expect the recruiter to always check with you before sending out your resume, then you need to be clear about this. Determine what your objective is and be sure to convey this to the recruiter. For example, if you know that you wouldn’t accept a job at a certain company, or for a particular salary, then it’s a waste of everyone’s time if you don’t specify this. By communicating what your expectations are, your recruiter is better able to cater their search to your individual requirements.
2. Make a good impression
Making yourself stand out to the recruiter is the first step in getting the job you want. A recruiter is seeking to match the right candidate with their clients. If you’re unprofessional or impolite to your recruiter, then you’re undermining your chances. By allowing the recruiter to get to know your positive attributes and strengths, you’re increasing the likelihood that they will consider you for a multitude of opportunities.
3. Utilise their expertise
The skills and experience of the recruiter are there to be leveraged! It’s a mutually beneficial relationship, so ask for their advice and tips. Recruiters can help you to understand and implement changes to make your CV more impressive to prospective employers. Recruiters have seen many interviewing pitfalls and they are able to coach you on how best to handle the interview process.
4. Delve into their insider information
When you’re applying for a job at a company, a good recruiter will be honest with you about the pros and cons of the organisation. You can ask frank questions that you may not always feel comfortable asking in an interview. Questions around topics such a work culture, flexible work schedules, if there are bonuses and how easy it is to move up in the business. You’re better able to make an informed decision about where you want to work when you have the inside scoop from a recruiter.
5. Don’t be secretive about who you’ve approached
Before working with a recruiter, you may have sent out numerous applications for jobs and maybe even had a few call backs. You could also be working with more than one recruiter at a time. That’s not a problem, so long as you’re up front about it. A recruiter needs to be informed so they aren’t contacting a company on a candidate’s behalf only to discover they have been submitted there by another recruiter.
6. A recruiter is a helpful go-between
Recruiters are especially helpful when it comes time to accepting a job offer. When people are handling this process on their own, they can sometimes end up missing out on an opportunity. For example, when negotiating salary, if you play hard-ball there’s always a chance the company will hire someone else who is happy to do it for the lower salary. A recruiter can be your ally and help you negotiate a deal that keeps all parties happy.