Working with recruiters can be hugely beneficial when you’re looking for a new job. They’ve got great opportunities available, they will advise you on the recruitment process and offer insights into the company and industry they are working with.
Building relationships with the right recruiters for you can have a big impact on your career. Here’s what you need to know about working with them:
You should choose a good recruiter
As with any profession, there are some fantastic recruiters and there are some poor ones too. Some quick online research will allow you to establish whether they are a company worth working with or not. What’s important is that you find the one that best suits your needs. Look for recruiters that operate in your sector and establish a mutually-beneficial relationship with them.
You can make it easier for recruiters to find you
Many recruiters spend a lot of time actively seeking high calibre candidates. Will they be able to find you? If you are looking for a new job or are simply open to potential opportunities, here’s how you can be more visible:
- Have a professional online presence on LinkedIn (Twitter and Facebook may also be beneficial)
- Be active in your industry community/professional associations
- Write blog articles
- Upload your CV to CV-Library so that recruiters can get in touch with you about relevant jobs!
You can trust the recruiter
Good recruiters know their stuff. They know a lot about the employers they are recruiting for, about the industry they are recruiting in and the best practices for being successful in the recruitment process. Use their experience and wisdom to your advantage. Ask them for advice and listen carefully to what they suggest.
You shouldn’t contact the employer directly
When working with a recruiter, it is not ok to go over their head and contact the employer directly. You need to trust the recruiter to see you through the process. Also, employers enlist the help of recruiters precisely because they want them to manage the recruitment process on their behalf. Contacting the employer directly will only reflect negatively on you.
Remember that recruiters don’t work for you
Recruiters want to work with you to help you find an opportunity, but ultimately they recruit on the employers behalf. Their job is to find the very best people for the opportunities they have. If you’re not a good fit for the specifications they are currently working on, they might not be able to help you at that moment in time.
Don’t forget to thank them
At the end of the process, don’t forget to express your gratitude. Give your recruiter a LinkedIn recommendation, or give feedback if they request it. Cement your relationship with them, you never know when they may be of help again in the future.
Ultimately, finding your next opportunity is down to you. Think of recruiters as one of many tools that can help you along the way.
