Whether you’re thinking about making a career change from your current role or getting back into the workforce after taking time off to raise your family, working with a recruiter is immensely helpful for being successful in this new journey. However, although a recruiter can help you land your next role, the work doesn’t fall entirely on them. It’s important to also be proactive in your search in order to achieve the results you’re looking for.
Check out our top tips for how to effectively work with a recruiter.
Ensure the Relationship Is the Right Fit
You’re going to be working closely with your recruiter throughout the next several weeks or even months, so making sure that you feel good about the person you’re working with is crucial. How do you know that your recruiter is “the one?”
- They have experience placing previous candidates in similar roles to what you’re looking for. If they have a proven track record, the chances of them helping you be successful in your search are high! Don’t be afraid to ask them about their success rate and how they’ve helped other professionals who are in a similar situation as you.
- Your personalities mesh well. Of course it’s important to look at a recruiter’s expertise, but at the end of the day, we’re humans – and if you feel like you don’t get along with them that well or their personality isn’t a fit with yours, it’s important to follow that instinct. If you’re going to spend all of that time with them, make sure you like them!
- They’re your biggest advocate. Sure, the recruiter may be getting paid by your future employer, but that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t deeply care about your interests and what’s important to you in a career. The best recruiters are the ones who stand up for you, prioritize your wants and needs, and find ways to support you in every way possible. It’s important to treat them with compassion, kindness, and respect, too!
If your recruiter checks off all of these boxes (and then some!), you’ll know you made the right choice.
Be Clear About What You Want (And Don’t Want)
Don’t shy away from telling your recruiter what you want in a career, and more importantly, what you don’t want. Sharing this information with them will help them be successful in their role by ensuring that they’re only sending you job opportunities that are the right fit.
What are some things you should disclose to your recruiter?
- Details of your job history. What were your past roles, and what did you like and not like about them? Is there a “perk” that you’d like to see in your future career and something you absolutely would not want to have in your future career?
- Roles you’re looking for. Are you looking to work in a specific industry or for a certain company? Is there a job title that you’d like to have? What are the benefits you want as well as your desired salary?
Having this knowledge will guide them in the right direction rather than having them feel like they’re throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping that it sticks. If a recruiter shares a job opportunity with you that you’re not interested in, be honest about how you feel. Accepting an interview that you don’t really want to take sets both you and your recruiter up for failure!
Do the Work and Hold Yourself Accountable
Your recruiter can present you with potential job opportunities and prepare you for upcoming interviews, but they can’t actually be the ones who interview for you and get the job. That means you need to pull your weight, too! As a job candidate, you’re responsible for:
- Interviewing for a role
- Adapting or rewriting your resume, as needed
- Communicating with potential employers
- Furthering your education through courses or alternative opportunities if it means increasing your chances of landing a new role
- Staying consistent with your job search
This isn’t your chance to sit back and have your recruiter do the work – it’s still up to you to get the job done!
Sustain the Relationship
Your relationship with your recruiter doesn’t (and shouldn’t) end once you land a new role. It’s important to stay in touch with them throughout your career, especially in the beginning, so they can answer any questions and provide you with guidance. If you happen to experience any problems with your new employer, your recruiter is absolutely the first person who should know about that as well. Consider them your greatest confidante!
And, if you like working with your recruiter and someday in the future want to make another change in your career, your recruiter will be a valuable resource for helping you to make that happen. Be sure to recommend them to family members and friends who may be looking for a new role, too!
At the end of the day, your recruiter is here to guide you through an exciting moment in your life. By following these tips, you’ll not only find a recruiter that will make you feel confident in their skills but you’ll also land a career that you love!
