The Hows of Working With a Recruiter

If you’re finding your job search stalling out, keep it on track by knowing how to work with a recruiter. These professionals can be an invaluable partner and as job experts, they know all the job search tricks and tools.

When you’re considering working with a recruiter, you need to:

1. Understand how recruiters operate. Recruiters are hired by companies to fill positions. They often work with their clients in some depth so they may have unique insights on how good a match a candidate is for any opening.
2. Focus on your best leads. Studies show that about 60 percent of job hunters find a new position through networking. For recruiters, 77 percent utilize LinkedIn as a search tool when looking for potential candidates. If you’re not networking or actively using LinkedIn, you are missing out on job opportunities.
3. Gather personal references. Ask people in your field for recommendations on the top headhunters. Learn from their experiences.
4. Make cold calls. In some cases, you may need to find recruiters on your own. Check with your network for recommendations or search online for recruiters in your field. Call the appropriate staff person to present your qualifications and see if you can arrange a time to meet.
   
   
5. Flaunt yourself on social media. Most recruiters are active on LinkedIn, Twitter, and other platforms. Make yourself visible, join relevant groups and offer help to others.
6. Treat recruiters like any potential employer. Regard contacts with search firms as seriously as you would any job interview. Dress professionally, do your research, and rehearse your answers.
   
   
7. Tell the whole truth. Be candid with recruiters about your work history, salary expectations, and career goals. They can help you more if you level with them.
   
   
8. Offer explanations for any areas of concern. Everyone has some imperfections. Be proactive in offering a good reason for gaps in your employment history or other topics that a potential employer might question.
   
   
9. Listen to the recruiter's advice. Recruiters will typically provide extensive guidance throughout the interview process. Take advantage of their expertise to prepare for interviews, debrief and follow up.
   
   
10. Make your own career decisions. As helpful as search firms can be, you're still in charge of your own future. You need to feel good about accepting any new position.
    
    

Guidelines For Working With Recruiters In Specific Circumstances

1. Start adding recruiters to your network. Naturally, companies are unlikely to pay recruiters for entry-level positions if they're already flooded with more resumes than they can read. If you're new to the job market, you may want to attend events or socialize online to build future contacts.
2. Keep in touch while you're still employed. Like most things in life, it pays to be prepared. Start talking with a search firm while you're still happily employed. Recruiters will welcome the chance to keep you in store for future opportunities and employers often prefer candidates who are currently working.
3. Coordinate approaches if you’re using multiple recruiters. It's often preferable to work with more than one recruiter at a time. Let each search firm know what else is going on and stay on top of the process yourself. Employers may be put off if they receive your resume from more than one source.
4. Consider exclusive arrangements. Congratulations if you're so prominent in your field that recruiters are calling you. In such cases, you might get asked to be represented exclusively. Being such a high priority could work to your advantage.

Recruiters work for the employers who pay them, but they can still provide you with valuable benefits if you understand their role and needs.

The Forbes article, "4 Truths About Working With Recruiters," provides additional insight into the process.