Recruiters - What Are They Good For Anyway?

By Trey Wright

Employment Jobs, Job vacancies, Employment

A qualified recruiter can help you target your job search. Opinions on recruiters vary widely. And it's no wonder - the quality of recruiters also varies widely. If you have been in the job market for any length of time, you probably have discovered that not everyone calling his or herself a recruiter is qualified and/or ethical.

However, working with a good recruiter can be the best thing that ever happened to your career. Good recruiters have the connections, the knowledge and the motivation to get you the best position at the best possible salary.

So, what makes a good recruiter?

First of all, a good recruiter will have a real knowledge of your industry. They will understand your expertise and how it fits into the marketplace. If you ask an industry- specific question and hear an idiotic answer, stammering, or just crickets on the other end of the line, you should probably (politely) terminate the conversation.

Good recruiters will have real relationships with their client companies. They will know the company, the corporate culture, and the decision makers. They will also spend time getting to know you, both professionally and personally, to determine which positions and clients would be the best fit for you.

On a related note, good recruiters will not be promiscuous with your resume, throwing it out to every client to "see what sticks". They will have a more targeted approach that will not waste your time or their clients' time on positions that are clearly not a good fit. And, they will respect you and your confidentiality by not submitting your resume to any company without your prior knowledge.

Good recruiters will stick with you throughout the entire process. They will find the best fit for you (or be honest if they don't have a fit at the time), help prepare you for interviews with the client, and, hopefully, help you negotiate when an offer is presented.

You may or may not decide to work with a recruiter during your job search. If you are approached by a recruiter, ask a few questions and make an informed decision:

• Do you specialize in my industry?
• What is your relationship with the employer?
• What kind of relationship do you have with the decision maker(s)?
• Will you submit my resume to any employer without first notifying me?
• What steps will you take to ensure my confidentiality?
• What can I expect as far as communication?
• Will you prep me for my interview with the clients?
• Will you let me know the result, even if it's no?