How to get the best out of your Recruiter
So, you’ve made the decision… you’re looking for a new job. Your search will probably include reaching out to your network, hitting up job sites like Seek and TradeMe and speaking with people like us. If you’ve had dealings with recruiters before, you’ll know how varied your experience can be. And although your experience is determined a lot by the recruitment agency and recruiter themselves, there are things you can do to take control of your job destiny and get the best out of your recruiter.
Open up
It may be an old saying but ‘the more you give the more you get’ is tried and tested for a reason. The more honest you are with your recruiter about the direction you want your career to go in and your make or break job deciding factors, the better they can match you with their clients and opportunities. Great recruiters partner with their clients and know what’s happening in their teams. They’ll know about jobs before they’re even on the market, and when they see a good fit, they’ll push to get you in front of their client.
Take advice
A great recruiter is more than just a job facilitator, they consult with their clients and coach their candidates. Let them do their job to the best of their ability by embarking on the relationship as a partnership. The reality is, the better you enable your recruiter, the bigger the advocate they will become. Or, if you’re a client, the more able they will be to consult on the needs of your current and future team. The role or candidate you think you want isn’t always the one you end up with (and recruiters know this). Make the most of your recruiter by asking for honest CV feedback, going over interview prep and getting current salary and market advise.
The better you enable your recruiter, the bigger the advocate they will become.
It’s a two-way street
You are the master of your job search. Signing up to a recruitment agency is a great step to your next role, but it is just the start. Your recruiter will have you and your skillset in mind if a suitable role comes up but this doesn’t stop you from getting in contact. If your priorities change or you start an interview process, then get in touch and let them know. As more than one agency can be working on the same role at one time, it’s important to be upfront with your recruiter about the processes you’re in so you don’t muddy the water and instead protect your personal brand.
Protect your personal brand
Auckland is a small market. Internal and agency recruiters are part of a tight knit network that’s constantly moving and changing. You’re not going to have the best experience at every stage but it’s likely that the same recruiters will pop up as you progress throughout your career. Maintain your personal brand by staying professional and when you find a good agency, keep hold of them!
There are a heap of reasons why working with an agency can benefit your job search. From leveraging their networks and identifying roles that aren’t on the market to selling your personal brand and reading the relevancy of your experience in between the lines. So, how to get the best out of your recruiter? Go in with no expectations, talk openly and frankly, listen to what your recruiter has to say and build lasting relationships that will span your career lifetime.
