For job seekers who are frustrated with the
search, working with a recruiter can give them the boost they need.
Good recruiters will work with you to find the
right position at the right company.
However, they can do only so much on their
own. They need you to guide them along and ensure they are meeting your goals.
What can you do to help recruiters help you in
your job search? Expert Allison Penning, a branch manager for national staffing
and recruiting firm LaSalle Network, shares best practices for building
relationships with recruiters and getting the most out of the collaboration
Pick the right recruiter.
"Find a recruiter who understands your
experience and works on searches that align with your background." Penning
says Recruiters often post jobs on job boards, so start there, and find a
recruiting firm that is posting jobs in your wheelhouse. From there, reach out
to the firm directly about your interest in working with them.
Meet in person. Once you connect with an
individual recruiter, ask to set up a face-to-face meeting. Penning says. You’ll build a stronger relationship in person
than you would simply talking on the phone.
Come prepared. Show up to t! he interview ready to wow the recruiter. Remember that
recruiters meet with many job seekers every day to find the best fit for their
clients, so it’s
important to showcase what makes you an outstanding candidate. Make
sure you have prepared examples of special projects, areas when you reduced
costs, increased revenue, increased productivity or other examples of how you
might stand out amongst your competition," Penning says.
Know what you want.
Make sure you’re able to communicate your expectations to your recruiter in as much
detail as possible, Penning says. The more specific you are about your goals,
the more it helps the recruiter find the right role for you.
Follow up.
Continuous communication is key to staying top of mind with your recruiter.
But it’s important to respect your recruiter's time as well.
"If you are unemployed and working with a
recruiter who handles temporary employment, check in once a week with your
availability to take on new projects," Penning suggests. "If you’re employed and looking for a permanent
opportunity, checking in every two weeks is sufficient."
Don’t assume. Job seekers often assume that recruiters don’t have their best interests in mind, a notion
Penning calls "completely false" Employers hire recruiters to find
them a strong, qualified candidate for the role they have open, and just
because the candidate isn’t the
best fit for that specific role doesn’t mean he wont be perfect for the recruiter’s next position. The key is to be patient and check
in frequently.
Also keep in mind that a recruiter should not
be the only job! -search tool you use.
Be honest.
Open and honest communication on both sides is important. A
good recruiter will give you all the information they know, and they will expect
the same in return," Penning says. The more you share about your
questions, concerns, wants and needs, the easier it is for your recruiter to
find the right job for you, and the better the experience will be for both of
you. "At the end of the day, when a recruiter shares your resume with a
potential employer, they are representing you. If they don’t have all of the appropriate information they
won’t be
able to present you properly."
Mary Lorenz is a writer for the Advice &
Resources section on CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about
job-search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
No comments:
Post a Comment