In the last four posts, we discussed four aspects of enlisting recruiters in your job search:
- Enlisting a recruiter to help
- Getting a recruiter interested in you
- Preparing to meet with recruiters
- Traits recruiters seek in candidates
To wrap up this series, let’s talk about how to get recruiters to really help you. As I’ve mentioned before, recruiters (headhunters) earn a fee for providing hiring companies with the right candidate so their focus is on finding the right person for their clients, not on finding you a job. But despite that, they can be quite helpful since they want top candidates to land positions through them.
10 tips for getting recruiters to REALLY help you
- Find the right recruiter(s) for your industry or field to ensure they have the right expertise and connections to help you. Find recruiters.
- Ask to meet with them in person (or by Skype if necessary) to develop the relationship, to let them know how qualified you are and to emphasize how motivated you are to land a position through them.
- Be clear in stating what you seek — Convey types of positions you seek, target companies, salary expectations, location preferences, and other details that can help your recruiters have a thorough understanding of what you want. Also let them know if you are open to opportunities outside of your stated preferences.
- Listen to your recruiters’ concerns about your viability of getting hired for the positions you want at the salary you seek. Make necessary improvements, whether it be in your skills, appearance, demeanor, answers to questions, etc. and let them know what improvements you have made so that they can market you without concern.
- Promptly provide them with all requested information including your resume and a list of companies you have already contacted directly (so they don’t waste time calling on them).
- Make recruiter-requested adjustments to your resume or edit/approve their modifications of your resume as quickly and completely as possible.
- Contact your recruiters before applying for positions directly to see if they are filling the position. This can ensure they can and will help you.
- Make regular contact with your recruiters so that you stay top of mind. Call them every month or two. Also send them frequent emails to convey your current status, to send them resume updates, to let them know about new skills you have attained, and to remind them you are highly qualified and still seeking positions. List the types of positions you seek every time you communicate with them because it can spark a job possibility for you in their mind that they might not have otherwise thought of for you.
- Look for opportunities to help your recruiters. Send them business opportunities and refer them to potential clients. Recommend them to other job seekers and connect them with highly qualified candidates for their hard-to-fill positions. Taking such steps will endear you with your recruiter.
- Give your recruiters fair warning if you are dissatisfied with their efforts before seeking out other recruiters. Consider whether you have been as proactive as possible in equipping them. If not, do better so they can better serve you. Also recognize why they have not been successful. Are they disinterested, too busy, too out of touch with your industry, etc., or are they trying hard, but are battling a bad economy or tremendous competition? Adjust your attitude with the recruiters to reflect the circumstances.
Pick the right recruiters and prepare them well! Doing so can help you … Get a Job!