Ever work with a recruiter? A recruiter can make your job search easier and help you land the job that’s right for you.
I’m a technical recruiter for New Journey where I recruit for non-IT or operational roles. It’s my job to build relationships with our clients and with job candidates, and I love it. I help people find jobs!
In my job, I talk to people all day long, through social media, like LinkedIn and Twitter, by text, phone or email. Most often people looking for jobs reach out to me through social, introducing themselves, letting me know what they’re looking for and sharing their resumes. They let me know the best way to communicate with them going forward. From there, we build the relationship.
How do you know who to contact? Good question. Lately, there’s been a rash of fake recruiters on social. Before reaching out to a recruiter, review their profile, check to make sure they engage with others – do they post often? Read the reviews on their profiles. Look carefully at their photo. Make sure that the image you see is of a real person, and not AI generated.
Once you’ve broken the ice, stay in touch. I do my due diligence, but if you don’t hear from your recruiter, reach out to let them know that you’re still available. I will stay in touch with you every step of the way and will occasionally check in once you start your new job, to make sure you’re okay.
What else do you need to know?
Learn All You Can About Your Recruiter
- Make sure your recruiter/agency is aligned with your targeted industry and types of positions you desire.
- Review the recruiter’s client list and ask if they are a primary vendor for the client.
- Find out if the recruiter is knowledgeable and confident about their industry and the roles they present.
- Ask questions: Are there fees involved for representation? When should you expect a response? What information is needed to present your resume?
Be Honest
- Accurately represent your technical and professional strengths and weaknesses so your recruiter can match you to the best position.
- Establish the best methods of communication, i.e. text, email, IM, phone, etc.
- Complete any recommended technical assessments or provide technical testing results or certifications. This information is valuable to the hiring manager.
- Let the recruiter know of any extensive vacation plans or required time off that will impact the interview, hiring or work schedule. With honest communications, your recruiter can coordinate with the client to avoid disruption.
- Stick with the recruiter. Don’t go around them to another agency or directly to the client.
Be Responsive and Open to Feedback
- Establish trust with your recruiter—it is important. The first step is to be responsive and available. Monitor email, phone and texts so you can respond quickly to requests for information and interview invites.
- Be prepared for the interview and ask your recruiter to set up a prep session. Practice mock interviewing with a friend and do your research about the job, company and hiring manager.
- Ask your recruiter for feedback from the interviewer and be open to receive their insight and suggestions for improvement.
- Follow up quickly after interviews with your feedback and a thank you note to the interviewer(s).
Hopefully my suggestions will help you get your relationship off on the right foot – which will lead to the job that’s right for you.
