Recruiters and job seekers alike have their reputations on the line when they work with each other. You might think this relationship is one-sided, but when you use a recruiter for your job search, you have all of the power in this arrangement. Remember a few things before you decide to hire a recruiter to find your next job opportunity.
Misconceptions
Human resources expert Liz Ryan points out a few misconceptions people have about recruiters. She believes everyone who decides to use a recruiter must perform due diligence to find the right one. Search LinkedIn to find recruiters in your area and ones who have experience in your line of work. Ask your friends, colleagues and mentors for recommendations. Don't just work with the first recruiter who catches your attention.
Ryan also believes job seekers put recruiters on a pedestal, and these magical gatekeepers do all of the hard work to find someone a job. Some unscrupulous recruiters completely ignore candidates until it suits them. Bad recruiters might say they intend to call you to discuss your situation in a week but may neglect you for more than month. The recruiter might also call you a day before an interview to say you have an opportunity. These examples of bad recruiters are why you must thoroughly vet these hiring professionals before signing on with one.
Why You Have the Power
Here are some reasons why you have the power when you use a recruiter during your job search. First, if you already had a bad experience with a recruiter, it will take some effort for a truly good one to earn your business. Second, without employees who need jobs, recruiters don't make any money. Think of recruiters as middle men who have a supply of items that customers want. You are part of the supply chain, and the recruiter polishes you, fixes up your professional brand and gets you ready to deliver to the end-user -- the employers. Without a steady supply of workers, recruiters fail and go out of business.
A bad recruiter might demand to know what you're earning in your current position. Recruiters don't need to assess your current income levels. If your recruiter asks for your income information or W-2 form consider using a different recruiter. Recruiters should be able to find jobs that match your skills, qualifications and experience regardless of your income.
How Recruiters Work
In general, companies use a recruiter to find the right person for a particular position. The idea is to outsource the most labor-intensive part of filling positions, which is narrowing a huge pool of candidates before an interview. Employers pay a fee to recruiters who find candidates, so it's in their best interest to recruit the best people for jobs.
When you use a recruiter, you have freedom of choice. Vet recruiters thoroughly, and don't hesitate to move on if you come across a bad one.
Photo courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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