WHY USE A RECRUITER?
During this Internet era with massive job posting boards and thousands of online recruitment sites, the idea of working with a Recruiter may seem unnecessary. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Want to improve your career potential? A Professional Recruiter can
do that and more. Outstanding Recruiters do more than land jobs; they
provide career guidance. Get the inside information HERE about how to
work with one effectively. The higher up the corporate ladder you go,
the more likely your prospective company will rely on a search firm.
If you're looking for a position in the executive suite, you definitely
should be working with a Recruiter. In case you didn't know, the hiring
company pays the fee; a Recruiter’s services do not cost you anything.
With that obstacle removed, let's look at why you should consider using
a Recruiter.
.
Why should you use a Recruiter?
A good Recruiter is a professional networker, so if you are reluctant
(your boss networks with people at other companies in similar positions!)
or you are too busy to test the job market, Recruiters can put you in
touch with "hidden" opportunities. A good Recruiter will have
developed numerous contacts across the country. You can't possibly have
as many! Remember: Contacting people (the RIGHT people!) is what Recruiters
do! Many of the best jobs are available only through a Recruiter. If
you're not working with one, you won't know about these positions. A
reputable Recruiter has a long-term relationship with its client companies
and will provide valuable insight as a result.
Executive Recruiters work directly with the hiring authority. This means your resume will be on the top of the stack and this will often make you one of the finalists. You'll learn who will conduct the interview, as well as gain insight into personalities, topics to avoid and what components of your experience to play up. Recruiters know directly from the hiring manager what experience and leadership skills the employer seeks. You then go into the interview prepared with information you can't obtain elsewhere. Anyone can obtain information about the company on the Internet, but the headhunter has details about why a position is being created, how a department has been impacted by recent growth or what happened to the person who formerly occupied the job and/or why the position is currently vacant or if the position if open due to growth. Professional Recruiters provide other benefits as well. The Recruiter personally knows the hiring authorities and can coach you on the right things to say to score points. Through trial interviews, they can help you position yourself in the best light. Remember, they want you to get the job. If you openly discuss how to handle questions about a former layoff, a personality conflict with a manager or a failed project, the Recruiter can help you respond in a positive and appropriate manner.
Some people never consider making a job change. To do it right, finding a new job is a full time job in itself. Most people have very busy schedules as it is and do not take the time to look for a new job adequately. A Recruiter can greatly assist in streamlining this process by maximizing your career opportunities. At the same time, a Recruiter saves you time and energy by making sure that you are a good fit for a particular position. A respected Recruiter has between 20-40 companies they represent. They can place you into more companies in a shorter time span and have you on an interview in a matter of days. Suddenly a call from a Recruiter provides an individual NOT ACTIVELY looking for opportunities with an insight about a job opportunity this person would have never realized on their own. The scope of you actively looking for a new opportunity is also narrowed by a Recruiter’s efforts in eliminating unsuitable jobs that waste your time because they don't match your qualifications or demands.
Recruiters work with Candidates in a very confidential manner. In fact, if you think about it, sending your resume out onto the Internet or blindly to a company is like posting a sign in front of your manager’s office door telling them that you are looking for another job. In addition, sending your resume blindly to a company is risky. How do you know who will see the resume and what they will do with it? A Professional Recruiter will always tell you what they are doing with your resume, why they are doing it and who they are presenting it to. Also, when you mass-mail or mass-email or mass-post your resume to every company out there, many times Human Resources will simply file your resume and a hiring manager never sees it. If you were to submit your resume on your own without a Recruiter representing you, you may never get the interview you deserve. It can turn out to be a "black hole" for your resume.
Companies receive hundreds of unsolicited resumes. We have seen instances where a Recruiter submitted your resume to a company who did NOT have an opening in your field of expertise. Even if a position is NOT open . . . if a hiring manger saw your “perfect” resume after the presentation by a Recruiter who KNEW you were “perfect” for this company, the company MAY create a position for you so that the skills you will bring to the company (that the Recruiter pointed out to them) are then utilized! However, an unsolicited resume by a Candidate will usually result in a resume being filed for “later review” and promptly forgotten!
When you use a Recruiter, they then call you with an opportunity. Note: Most times they already know you are a match. This is their job. You confirm that you are interested and you authorize them to present your information to the hiring manager. As soon as you hang up the telephone the Recruiter calls the hiring manager directly and presents your skills. The next day the Recruiter calls you back to set up an interview. You finish the interview and call your Recruiter and give them feedback from the interview. In a short time, the Recruiter calls you with feedback from the hiring manager. You two discuss the opportunity. The Recruiter works as a third-party negotiator to keep the offer from becoming personal. Very soon after, you have a job offer. In some positions this can take as little as a few days.
Following the interview, the Recruiter can serve as a sounding board. The Recruiter will review the interview with you, asking all sorts if questions. The Recruiter can put a positive spin on a so-so interview and can follow up by asking the interviewer, "What would it take for this person to get the job?" At the very least, if you do poorly in an interview, a good Recruiter can figure out where you goofed and coach you on how to do well the next time out.
Recruiters can also give you a behind-the-scenes perspective on a company. They provide you with insights and trends about each specific industry. This knowledge allows you to compare your skills to those in high demand. Submitting your resume gets you registered in their database and then places you on a call-back list when there are opportunities that match your “dream job.”
A good Recruiter can be a lifelong professional ally.
What does a Recruiter do exactly?
Recruiters find people who might not otherwise be looking for a new career
opportunity. In addition, some companies don't advertise or post jobs
on the Internet because they don't want to sort through a flood of resumes.
Finally, Recruiters also handle confidential searches. A Professional
Recruiter is a valuable when it comes to salary and benefit negotiations.
Hiring managers know that nearly all of the Candidates that a Recruiter
will contact are already employed. They realize that individuals currently
working are more desirable to hire, which doesn't automatically make
them the most qualified; but it's usually a belief that if you're presently
working, you have more to offer than somebody who quit, was laid off,
or fired.
What does it cost?
Nothing. A Professional Recruiter does not charge Candidates for their
services. All fees (including travel expenses for your interviews) are
paid by the Recruiter’s corporate clients. With a quality Recruiter,
Recruiter fees are always paid by the employer and never affect your
salary.
What type of relationship should I develop with a Professional Recruiter?
First, be honest. Honesty is the best – and most necessary! - policy.
Some people advise job Candidates to be cagey during the interview process: "Don't
reveal income, don't discuss unsavory career details and never let them
know what you really want." While discretion can be a valuable tool
in some situations, when you're working with a Recruiter, honesty is
much more productive. A respected Recruiter will take the time to understand
your background and capabilities so that they can market you to their
clients in the best, possible manner.
Another distinct advantage a headhunter provides is the support to achieve
your income and career goals. It is vital to communicate this information.
Talk about your bottom line related to job demands, salary and perks.
You and your Recruiter need to know what points are negotiable and which
ones are not. A Recruiter is basically a "matchmaker" between
you and the client. Mutual trust between all parties is imperative. So
make your relationship a true partnership; the more a Recruiter knows
about you, the better the chances of success. Make sure your Recruiter
knows about all your phone and in-person interviews, or any other contacts
with prospective employers.
The goal for everyone involved is to fill a great career opportunity
with the best possible Candidate. Keep your Recruiter up to date on your
family’s needs and wants, changes in your status at your present
position, feedback on interviewing in progress, because if it affects
you, it affects your job search.
Should I work with more than one Recruiter?
It is usually better to work with no more than one. A reputable Recruiter
will only send your resume to companies and opportunities you have specifically
authorized. Why? Your integrity, and the integrity of your search firm,
are at stake. If the same company receives two or three of your resumes
from different sources, you may not get the interview at all. Instead,
the company will more than likely move on to other Candidates.
Will the Recruiter only introduce MY resume to the hiring manager?
Probably not. Your Recruiter will usually have several Candidates to
present for consideration, since most companies want to have a choice.
Each of you will have different backgrounds and qualities, which a good
Recruiter will be experienced at highlighting to the hiring manager throughout
your interviewing process. The fact that you have been submitted for
consideration speaks volumes about your strengths and capabilities. If
you are NOT selected for a particular opportunity, the experience and
qualities your Recruiter originally recognized in you will almost certainly
be considered for future opportunities. If a given company feels that
you are not a "fit" for the original position you applied for,
the Recruiter will no doubt have other opportunities for you in the future.
In any case, a Professional Recruiter always tells you honestly what
your status is and why. If there are areas in need of improvement, they
will guide you and continue an effective search
QUESTIONS TO ASK A RECRUITER
If a Recruiter contacts you, these questions can help you determine whether
the firm is right for you:
How long has your recruitment firm been in business? Companies with established
records might have more solid industry contacts.
Do your Recruiters specialize in my particular market niche? You have a much better chance of being placed in the position you desire by working with headhunters experienced in your field.
Name some companies where you have successfully placed Candidates in my field. The answer will provide more insight into the firm's experience and whether they represent companies where you'd like to work.
What is the average tenure of your Recruiters? Beware of companies that will not provide this information or those with an average of less than five years.
Is there a charge to me for your services? You want to work with a Recruiter who is paid by the company for placing Candidates. There should be no charge to you.
Does your company work nationally or are you providing opportunities
in just one city? If your job search is limited to the city where the
firm is located, this may not be a problem. If your interest is more
national in scope or you seek a higher-level management position, then
select a firm with a more extensive presence.
Whether you are a Candidate or potential employer, we welcome the opportunity
to tell you more about ourselves and what we can do for you. Don't hesitate
to CONTACT US today!
