Working with Your Recruiter:
How do I select a recruiter?
Carefully! A good recruiter is much more than the number of job openings posted on a web site. You are investing time with a recruiter that may play a key role throughout your career. You are asking the recruiter to personally represent you, to provide you with access to companies of interest, and to professionally work with you in securing your next position. Respect for the confidentiality of your search is key.
How much time did the recruiter spend getting to know you, your accomplishments, your goals, your motivators?
Does the recruiter value you as a person or merely the next placement?
Has the groundwork been set for frank, open communication, which is critical for getting to an offer and accepting an offer?
Do you trust your recruiter?
Do you genuinely like your recruiter enough to welcome a long-term professional partnership with this individual?
Would you refer your best friends and most admired colleagues to this individual?
If you can answer positively to the above questions, you have found the recruiter that could make a big difference in your career.
How can I be certain my recruiter will respect my confidentiality?
Work only with reputable recruiters who will respect your confidentiality and will not present your resume to any potential employer without your prior consent. In this way, you maintain full control over your job search, which is as it should be. Keep meticulous records of who submitted your resume, including name of company and date of submission. And do not authorize two recruiting firms to send your resume for the same position.
If the job descriptions sound similar, ask for verification of the company name and allow only one firm to represent you.
How many recruiters should I work with?
Not many, at most 2 or 3 firms that you feel comfortable with and respect. Here’s why. In today’s tight labor market, companies typically hire more than one contingency firm to supplement their own search. Why? It costs them nothing, unless they hire the candidate presented by the search firm. In theory, by registering with many search firms, you expand your possibilities, but in doing so, you risk being presented to the same firm a number of times. Duplicate resumes can be perceived as desperation. It is better to form a long-term relationship with a recruiter who can benefit you long-term.
How do I work with my recruiter most effectively?
Good recruiters are not "headhunters," and should not be treated that way. A recruiter can be your strongest ally, so here are some steps to facilitate a solid working relationship.
1. Come to the interview prepared for a formal, in-depth discussion of your accomplishments and career goals.
2. Bring along a clean copy of your current resume and forward your resume as an e-mail attachment.
3. Anticipate some paperwork. Clients expect background and reference checks on candidates and written authorizations are mandatory.
4. Speak honestly and candidly about education, accomplishments, and reasons for leaving previous positions, career aspirations, and salary requirements. Establishing clear parameters at the onset will ensure that you are presented with opportunities closer to your goals, and in the long run will save time and energy for all parties concerned.
5. Keep thorough, dated records of who sent your resume to which company.
6. Continue the open dialog by communicating promptly and candidly following any scheduled interviews. Keep your recruiter advised of any new developments, including pending interviews with other firms, outstanding offers, any shifts in desired compensation, or employment requirements.
7. No one likes to be kept waiting. After an interview, both parties typically know whether they would like to pursue this process or call it quits. We expect decisiveness and timely communication from our candidates.
8. Show your recruiter you appreciate their efforts, calls, and introductions on your behalf. Refer them to your friends and colleagues, even if you found a position on your own. They’ll remember you, and that’s to your benefit.
