The pandemic, and the stress of the past few years, has caused a large percentage of workers to evaluate what is most important to them, and question whether the grass might be greener elsewhere. In fact, 55% of people in the workforce are likely to look for a new job in the next 12 months.
But the intent to look for a new job and actually applying to a new opportunity are two very different things. Even when other roles are enticing, the thought of researching different companies, updating resumes, and rehearsing interview questions often stops people in their tracks.
What if someone could filter through job descriptions and present only the best opportunities to you? What if they could help you hone your interviewing skills and resume? It sounds too good to be true, but there are people that do just that every day: recruiters.
The top benefits to using a recruiter
Recruiters are a fantastic resource for anyone looking for a new job—now and in the future. Although there are far more than eight reasons, here are the top benefits to using a recruiter throughout your career.
- Recruiters have a direct line to companies and hiring managers. This is a huge asset because they might know about new roles that are not posted. Without a recruiter, you may never know that you’re the perfect candidate for a position that doesn’t even exist.
- They give you real opportunities tailored to you. A common misconception is that recruiters will harass you with jobs that aren’t even close to a match, but this isn’t the case. Good recruiters are looking for excellent candidates for their clients, so only reach out to people worth their client’s time.
- They pre-screen you so that you hit on all the basic points a hiring manager expects from the get-go. Plus, they hand-deliver your application to the hiring manager, giving you infinitely better chances of getting a callback than sending your application into the Applicant Tracking System void.
- They develop long-term relationships with candidates. Using a recruiter is like having a personal job-seeking assistant working on your behalf. They carry the burden of research so you can focus on the execution. And they’ll follow you throughout your career, always looking for opportunities that may be of interest to you.
- When they know you, they’ll come to you first. Recruiters hear about new jobs every day. So, if you’re top of mind, they’ll instantly think of you and reach out to you before anyone else.
- They are honest. Recruiters often get a bad rep because they can’t help every job seeker, but that’s not fair. As soon as a good recruiter hears that a hiring manager passed on your application, they’ll let you know. Often, their message will include several other positions they know about so you can keep the job-seeking wheels turning.
- They help with interview prep. Recruiters have met a lot of people and know the dos and don’ts in today’s interviewing culture. They are happy to look at your resume or hold a mock interview, so you have the feedback you need to make a fantastic first impression.
- They care. Recruiters know that candidates are real people with real feelings. They won’t leave you hanging and will do what it takes to give you the best chance of landing a position.
How do you find a good recruiter?
There are many ways to find a recruiter, but it’s important to find the right one for you, one that understands your industry, profession, and is interested in your career path. Start by googling staffing agencies. Many will come up, so sift through their websites to make sure they serve the types of companies you want to work for. Keep in mind that national agencies might have more recruiters and more access to job openings than local ones. Once you’ve found one you jive with, use the contact us button to get in touch. Better yet, ask your friends, family, or former colleagues which firms they have worked with in the past and liked.
At the same time, beef up your presence on LinkedIn, Indeed, AngelList, and other job-related sites. If you are actively searching, use their features to make it evident that you are looking for a new position (on LinkedIn, this is a ring around your profile picture). If passively looking, use the confidential settings to ensure your resume is viewable but keeps your identity anonymous. Recruiters are always looking at these platforms and will often send messages to relevant candidates, so don’t ignore your inbox. You can also search for recruiters directly on LinkedIn and send them an InMail with a brief description of yourself and the position you want.
Keep recruiters close
If you take the time to get to know recruiters, they will remember you and be helpful throughout your career. They’ll already know your work history and unique skills—especially if they placed you in a role. This knowledge makes it much easier for them to keep an eye out for the types of roles you want. And if you’re making a pivot, linking up with a recruiter who works for a national agency can widen your net even further. They know other recruiters who specialize in industries or locations you’re interested in.
So, try to get to know and check in with your recruiter as you move forward professionally. Without a recruiter, you may never know that there’s a position out there which perfectly matches your experience!
Photo credit: Canva