Things to Consider when Working with a Recruiter

4 Important Things to Know When Working With a Recruiter

 

Most professionals have dealt with several Recruiters over the course of our careers.  If you haven’t yet, just give it time. Your level of success with a recruiter will depend on how well you understand them and how well you understand their hiring process.

 

Here are four things that you should know that will help you get better insights into how to work successfully with a recruiter:

 

1.  The type of recruiter you are dealing with

It is important to know what type of recruiter you are working with. There are three different types of recruiters primarily:

• Internal recruiters are employed or contracted by the hiring company and will only have access to and interest in filling their company’s positions.
• Contingency recruiters are employed by multiple clients to work on numerous openings.  They do not get paid unless a search is filled, so you may find several people contacting you about the same position.  They’re usually conducted for lower-level or non-critical roles.
• Retained search recruiters are given a retainer to complete an assignment up front and they will be the only recruiter actively working on the position.  These roles are usually important positions that the client has a serious interest in filling with premium talent.  Most candidates prefer being recruited for positions that are “retained”. It is crucial to develop a close relationship with this Recruiter as they will be working closely with you through the entire process and possibly multiple times throughout your entire career.”’

 

2.     Who pays the recruiter?

In the past candidates would often employ a recruiter to find them a job, but that is rare anymore.  Most of the time it is solely the hiring company that pays the recruiter, depending on the type of arrangement they have agreed on. This means the recruiter works for the client company and not the candidate.  Their goal is present the best candidates who fulfill the needs of the company and they will not submit someone that does not fit those requirements.  If you are a good fit, they will work diligently to make the match happen in a way that is beneficial to all parties.  Occasionally you will find a recruiter that believes in your background enough they will actively introduce you to target companies, and you should appreciate this opportunity if it arises.

 

3.     Recruiters want to know everything

When working with a recruiter, it is always good to develop a strong relationship and keep them in the loop about your entire job search situation.  Make sure you copy them on communication from the client and follow up quickly after interviews.  Keep them updated on your job search status if you are pursuing opportunities outside of this role as well.  They need to be able to stay on top of the search and if you have another offer that may be presented they will need to know about that so they can inform their client and move appropriately.  Be open and be honest.  Don’t refuse to answer questions or be evasive as these are red flags.  A recruiter’s main objective is to develop a win-win situation for both the client and the candidate.

 

4.     Recruiters who specialize

The best recruiters normally specialize in a specific niche.  For example, Mangrum Solutions specifically focuses on operations and supply chain roles within the industrial manufacturing industry.  Because of our area of focus, we build a huge networking base and understand the companies and the competition in these areas.  The point is, when a recruiter specializes in a specific niche, he or she tends to have a deeper knowledge and better connections in that field and those are the recruiters you should seek out and develop relationships with.