In a recent national report, almost 40% of job seekers were either interviewed or screened via video by a recruiter hired by the parent company. On the other hand, almost 30% of job seekers claimed they would prefer to be screened by a hiring manager or recruiter than be filtered by an algorithm. What is the takeaway? That both employers and prospective employees recognize the role of recruiters in the hiring process.
Some of the top frustrations felt by job seekers listed in the report involved transparency during interviews and effective communication during the interview process. So, if you plan to work with a recruiter on your career path, you’ll want to know what you can do to maximize the benefits of the relationship and avoid common pitfalls. The following are five tips that can help you to work effectively with a recruiter.
1. Be Prepared
Before even beginning to work with a recruiter, you need to be prepared. What will you need to begin building a relationship and get the career you are looking for?
- An expertly crafted resume. Putting together the right resume cannot be left to chance. A sloppy resume may hinder your career journey. On the other hand, getting assistance in crafting your resume just right can help you stand out in a crowded market.
- A professional portfolio. Some professionals choose to put together an online portfolio in addition to a resume. It can be in the form of a personal, professional website or social media accounts, but its purpose is to showcase work experience, successful projects, and the person’s range of expertise.
- A list of companies you would be interested in working for. Have clearly in mind a short list of companies you would prefer to join and why. Even if no positions are currently available, it will serve as a key indicator of your preferences and help guide you as you look.
- Examples of job positions that suit your career goals. Establishing the parameters of your search will help your recruiter match the right prospects to you.
2. Choose the Right Recruiter
Once you are prepared, you may get to choose a recruiter. What should you look for before partnering with a recruiter?
- Someone who knows the industry. Your recruiter should know your space and have his or her finger on the pulse of the industry markets and trends.
- Someone who can match your skills to available positions. Your recruiter should be familiar enough with your skill set and the technological tools you work with to find prospects that match your search. This saves time and prevents unnecessary efforts.
- Someone with professional relationships with industry leaders. Sometimes employers are looking for specific talent but aren’t advertising a vacancy. So, a recruiter with industry connections can be invaluable.
Of course, sometimes, when applying for jobs, you end up working with a recruiter hired by the company you’re using to, but the principles for professional relationships are the same. Learn to leverage the skills and connections of the recruiter to reach your goal.
3. Know What a Recruiter Expects of You
Recruiters need candidates to be completely honest. Candor is crucial to making the right connections, lining up the right prospects, and finding the right position. Be honest about:
- What you do. Be honest about your skills, both technical and soft skills.
- What you do not do. Do not mislead your recruiter when discussing skills or experience. If there are missing skills or gaps in your work experience, disclose them, but also communicate a willingness to learn.
- What you want. Know the role(s) you’re looking for and what perks and benefits are important to you.
- What you do not want. Be clear about what might turn a prospect into a non-starter for you.
4. Know Your Target Market
It’s not enough for your recruiter to know the market—you must too. More specifically, you need to know the sector of the market you are targeting with your job search. Know the technology, the trends, what role or roles you are interested in, and what you want to accomplish.
5. Know the Benefits of Working with a Recruiter
You may have a certain level of experience in job hunting already, and you may have failures and successes under your belt. Nevertheless, there are benefits to having a recruiter on your team.
- Experienced recruiters, such as Black Diamond, have professional relationships with hundreds of companies.
- A recruiter’s experience may provide insights into the demands of the industry and the current trends, providing a more comprehensive range of prospects.
- The connections and prospects provided by an experienced recruiter may open up opportunities not previously available to you in your search.
Black Diamond has years of experience in technical staffing and comprehensive resources to help you take the next step on your chosen career path.
