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5 working with a recruiter tips
There’s just one thing between you and that great new job: a middleman, also known as a search firm or recruiting agency.
You could find yourself working closely with a recruiter before you ever land an interview with the company you want to work for.
It’s the job of the recruiter, who is hired by the company, to weed out candidates, search for stellar employees and narrow them down based on a profile from the company. The recruiter then hands over a best-of-the-best list to the client.
If you thought you never would have to deal with recruiters because they only do executive position searches, think again. There is a recruiting middle market for positions paying from $30,000 to $100,000 that companies also need help filling.
If you never have worked with a recruiter, it can be intimidating. But if the job you seek is connected to a search firm, you want to know your stuff. Here are five tips that will help you deal with the middleman.
1 Research the search firm.
There are generally two types of search firms.
Retained search firms are hired and paid by a company to identify and recruit employees with a specific skill set. A contingency firm, on the other hand, is paid only when a company hires a candidate it found.
While companies often contact recruiters, it’s OK for you to send a resume and cover letter to a search firm, but don’t be pushy. Simply state, “I would appreciate your adding my resume to your database in case you are retained for a search that would match my qualifications,” says Jane Howze, founder of The Alexander Group.
2 Pretend the recruiter is the employer.
When you are dealing with the search firm, act no differently than you would if your dream company were calling, says Dave Hickman, managing partner at HirePursuit, a Princeton One Search recruiting firm in Indianapolis.
Most likely, you won’t be called in for a face-to-face interview, but you will be asked to participate in a thorough phone interview with the recruiter.
“Remember, a recruiter has the exact same agenda as the company,” Hickman says. “They are trying to figure out what a candidate’s goals are and if they match what the company is looking for.”
3 Respect the search.
It can be tempting to make contact with the company, going over the head of the recruiter. But don’t even send a resume to the company. And definitely don’t e-mail or call, even if it seems like an innocent expression of your desire for the job.
“In hiring a search firm, a (company) has basically outsourced the search,” says Howze. “It is not usually a good strategy for the candidate to call the (company) directly. Many (companies) believe that it shows impatience, entitlement and a refusal to follow rules.”
If you fit what the company is looking for, you will get in soon enough. Don’t let impatience ruin your chances.
4 Know the expectations.
Each recruiter is different, and a candidate must find out how the process is going to work at the beginning. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, says Hickman.
Will the recruiter get back with you every two weeks? Or should you check in every two weeks? Should you call or send an e-mail when you have questions? Will the recruiter contact you if you are up for the job?
When you get the answers, follow the rules with a few exceptions. If you want to add something to your resume, you can contact the recruiter. Also let the recruiter know if you are considering another job.
5 Don’t take advantage of the recruiters
If you are going to put your name in with a search firm, you should be serious about changing jobs.
Sure, it’s a great resource for job openings, but it isn’t there to work for you personally.
“You will get black-listed from their firm and possibly others, as well as some employers, if you use them to tire-kick just to see what is out there,” says Gary Daugenti, president of JustSTAFF, an executive search firm in Los Altos, Calif.
He also suggests limiting the number of recruiters you work with.