While you are your own best advocate, working with a recruiter makes you more competitive. This does not mean to rely solely upon the recruiter, but it will add to your ability to find a good fit and the job you want. Recruiters can evaluate your resume for you and offer valuable insight or advice. Below are some common tips to help you get the most out of working with a recruiter.
1. Ask questions and interview the recruiter
You will be imparting a great deal of information to a recruiter. You want to trust and feel good with them so don’t be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you know what fields they specialize in to ensure it will be a good fit, as well as whether they focus on a geographic region. Determine if they are listening to you and be aware of whether your communication style is on the same page. Does the recruiter prefer email, text or phone calls and will this work for you?
2. Be available and make it easy for recruiters to find you
How you reply to your recruiter reflects how you represent yourself to a hiring manager so be sure you answer phone calls or get back in a timely fashion. Create a positive online footprint so your skills can be sold more easily. Is your LinkedIn profile up to date? Are you attending or involved in professional organizations? You might want to create your own website to showcase any relevant professional achievements, community involvement or online activities that can be linked together. Also, if you’re in the market for a new job, turn on the “open to new opportunities” feature within your Linkedin profile – this is a great way to stand out directly to recruiters and show that you’re in the market for a new job.
3. Inform the recruiter whether you are working with another recruiter and do not call the employer directly
Being honest and assertive does pay off but be selective on how you handle yourself. Understand there is a balance within a recruiter’s obligation to their client and also helping you find a great job. They want to provide a great experience for you, but they also have rules to follow within the hiring process. They are also competing with other recruiters for this business. Make sure you’re honest if you’re working with another recruiter, and share where else you’ve applied so they have the full picture and know where not to send your credentials. Often times, being submitted to the same opportunity by different recruiters/agencies will get you disqualified. Be prepared to fill out a “Right to Represent” form which showcases your permission and commitment to be represented by that particular agency. When you work with several recruiters but not inform them, you’re putting them in a potentially awkward and losing position, and you may harm your own chances at the job as well. Be respectful and follow the rules. Go through the outlined process and follow your recruiter’s lead without stepping outside to contact the employer directly – hiring managers lean on recruiters to guide candidates through this process and you may give the wrong the impression if you don’t follow suit.
4. Determine the recruiter’s preferences for cover letters or resumes
Before you present your resume and other documentation, ask whether there is a preferred format. Certain industries or specific companies might need to see similar looking resumes. There might be a template to follow or formatting rules. Formatting it the appropriate way yourself ensures that what you want highlighted will be. The recruiter may not need or use cover letters so why provide something not needed. Make sure the time you invest is valuably spent.