How to Work Effectively With Recruiters
“R-E-S-P-E-C-T / find out what it means to me” is a line made famous by Aretha Franklin, and one that many recruiters have adopted as their mantra. This is probably because there is a love-hate relationship between candidates and recruiters. Specifically, candidates love what recruiters can do for them, but at the same time, aren’t fond of the fact that they need their services or perhaps when a recruiter reaches out to a candidate that is already employed.
One can hardly blame candidates, since over the years recruiters have been branded as uncaring, money-hungry vultures who have their eyes set only on the bottom line. Whether there is a grain of truth to that belief or not, I can’t say for sure but know it really is not true with 99% of all recruiters that we know. However, what I do know is that recruiters have been, and will continue to be, a viable resource for candidates. For this reason, recruiters shouldn’t be dismissed, but instead appreciated for the role they play in the career services industry.
Many recruiters suggest that job seekers don’t fully understand what a recruiter’s function is in the job search process, and that this is where the lack of respect originates. In an effort to educate job seekers, below are some pointers that recruiters want every job seeker to know.
- Respect what recruiters do. Although recruiters don’t work for you, the good ones will work with you. With a hiring company in mind, a recruiter will make recommendations on how you should change your resume, the way you interview and/or the way you dress. If this is the case, heed his or her advice. Recruiters have insider information on the specifications the hiring organization is searching for, and the clues they provide are based on that knowledge.
- Respect what recruiters can’t do for you. The recruiter’s allegiance is to the hiring organization as typically many recruiters only get paid if they place a candidate. Therefore, he or she is going to spend the majority of his/her time and resources on scouting a candidate that fits the hiring organization’s specifications. Help the recruiter help you and they will work hard to assist you in finding a job that is a good fit for you and a good fit for the hiring organization.
- Respect the interview with a recruiter. Save your war stories for your local bartender. When you contact recruiters, be discriminating about the type of information you provide. A meeting with a recruiter is an interview. Don’t allow the informality of the conversation to convince you otherwise. During a meeting with a recruiter you will be evaluated on your performance; therefore, be professional at all times.
- Respect a recruiter’s time. When a recruiter has recommended you for a position, that means he or she has invested time in your career; therefore, respect their time, return their phone calls, and provide them feedback on the company after any interview. Recruiters are especially interested in knowing your interest level, your thoughts about the interviewer, the rundown of the interview process, and the next step agreed to by you and the company.
- Respect a recruiter’s reputation. Recruiters aren’t just out to fill a job order. Their credibility is dependent on the caliber of candidates they send on interviews. As a result, recruiters look for candidates who know what they want, present themselves professionally, and are out to win job offers.
- Be honest with the Recruiter if you are working with other Recruiters as often it can lead to you being presented to the same company multiple times if you work in a “niche” line of work. This does not look good for the Recruiter and may not also look favorable for you either. At the very least share with the Recruiter what companies you have already interviewed with, and what companies you are scheduled with so that efforts are not duplicated.
When working with a recruiter, a partnership is formed; and in order for the relationship to be successful, there must be a mutual respect between the two of you. Recruiters want to work with candidates who want to work with them, not candidates who are having difficulty finding a job and want to be rescued.
If you can effectively convey to a recruiter that you have a sincere interest in working with him or her, you’ll find yourself in turn treated with respect. A recruiter can help you expedite your job search process and will work very hard for you if you show that you are sincere. A recruiter and you both want to find you a job. A recruiter wants to find his client companies the best candidate possible and there is no reason why that can’t be you.