When looking for a new job, a recruiter can make all the difference. Depending on your sector of interest and your skillset, finding a job through a recruiter may be something that could be extremely beneficial to you.

Only you can decide what’s in your best interest. Whether you find a recruiter, or they seek you out, here are some things to remember for when working with them to help you get the most out of the experience.

Tips for working with a recruiter

Convey your career goals clearly. Recruiters will be able to give accurate suggestions of roles you may be well suited for; you are less likely to be put forward for jobs of no interest to you therefore ensuring your time isn’t wasted.

Find recruiters that work in your field of interest. You will most likely get the best results and a more productive experience when working with someone who is an expert in your sector.

Allow recruiters to do their job – trust they know what they’re doing. They will have the expertise and knowledge to take you through the hiring process, they will also have contact with the employer and know what they are looking for, so it is best to listen to what they have to say and take their advice.

Remain professional if things don’t go your way; it only creates bad impressions if you become aggressive or a sore loser. Remember, the recruiter doesn’t have the final say in whether you are hired or not, so it is important to not place blame on them if the employer decides to go with someone else.

Work with them – don’t withhold information. Be honest and open, make sure to disclose previous employment and unemployment, that way the recruiter knows how to best represent you and better suit job roles to your needs.

Follow through with commitments whether they are virtual or in person. It leaves a bad impression if you are constantly not engaging without providing reasons why and it ends up being a waste of both the recruiter’s time and your own.

Communicate effectively. Find communication methods that work for you both; some recruiters prefer phone conversations whilst others prefer email, establish which method works best for both of you. Engage regularly and be responsive, let them know if there are any periods of time you are unavailable or unlikely to respond quickly so they know when is best to contact you.

Ask for feedback. Most recruiters will offer feedback on your interviews and things like your CV however if they don’t then make sure to ask and get their opinion. This can help you improve and grow professionally and more likely to succeed in the future if you have personalised feedback.

Offer referrals. If you are approached for a position you aren’t particularly interested in and you know someone who would be a better fit for a job, then pass on their information. This ends the situation on positive note and you remain on their radar for future opportunities.

Keep in touch after. Continuing your relationship with your recruiter may help you or someone you know land jobs in the future.

Influence your recruiter; you have the chance to convince of them of the value you will bring to the role and their client as they can put you forward in the best way possible.

Remember a recruiter’s job is to fill their client’s position, not to find you a job. Every interaction you have with a recruiter is like an interview and whilst they don’t make the final decision, they are still someone you should want to impress.

Benefits of using a recruiter

Industry knowledge. They know the sectors they’re hiring for very well, sometimes recruiters will have worked in similar roles before so will be knowledgeable and able to advise you.

Their relationship with the client works in your favour – they will be able to convey your personality across to the client which is more difficult with just a CV/online application.

They go through the process with you. They prepare you for interviews letting you know possible questions, offer support, and always want to hear how interviews or meetings go. Additionally, they offer feedback for you from your interviews, CV, and applications so you can improve and ensure you get the role you want.

They can suggest multiple roles to you as they have knowledge of your skills, experience, and desired job role. Some may be ones that you hadn’t considered or heard of before and may lead to finding the perfect role for you.

Recruiters often have access to vacancies that aren’t available on public platforms; many companies don’t post vacancies on job boards and go through recruiters or internal hiring. This means that there may be better jobs out there for you that you otherwise wouldn’t know of or have access to.

Networking on a larger scale. Recruiters often have contacts with many different employers and organisations and will be able to get your name out there to potential employers for you.

Using a recruiter saves time. Think about how long you spend searching and applying for roles and researching organisations. It is always a good idea to do some research of your own however the majority is done by them, which is often a much quicker and productive process due to the amount of information they have access to.

Your CV/details remain in their database and can be used in the future if more opportunities appear for you. This gives you a safety blanket for if something goes wrong in your next job and knowing that you have an existing relationship with them already puts you one step ahead.

Recruiters can really help you navigate the job market, and these tips will help you foster a successful partnership that may help you land your next job.

Get in touch with us if you want to speak to one of our experienced recruiters - Contact Us - Morgan King