Want to boost your career
potential? A professional recruiter can do that and more.
Outstanding recruiters do more than land jobs; they provide
career guidance. Get the inside scoop about how to work
with one effectively.
During this Internet
era with massive job posting boards and thousands
of online recruitment sites, the idea of working
with a recruiter may seem unnecessary. Nothing could
be further from the truth. Take a look at these facts:
- Headhunters are involved
in about half of senior-level job changes, according
to a study conducted by the International Association
of Corporate and Professional Recruitment.
- Recruiters provide no-cost
advantages such as career guidance and the ability
to hone interview techniques and polish a resume.
- Prospects using the
services of a recruitment firm are better prepared
for job interviews and have the inside scoop about
the company, as well as the skills and intangible
factors that the hiring manager desires in a candidate.
- Recruiters have access
to jobs not advertised or posted on the Internet.
WHAT
A RECRUITER DOES FOR YOU
Focuses the Scope
of a Job Search
Using a recruiter can expand or narrow the scope of your job search. You now
have access to new opportunities. Many companies hire recruitment firms because
they don't have the resources to conduct searches themselves and prefer the
professionalism and expertise recruiters bring to the process. The employer
devotes time to interviewing only the most qualified candidates. In addition,
some companies don't advertise or post jobs on the Internet because they don't
want to sort through a flood of resumes. Finally, recruiters also handle confidential
searches. At the same time, the scope of your process narrows by eliminating
unsuitable jobs that waste your time because they don't match your qualifications
or demands.
Interview
Preparation
You'll learn who will conduct the interview, as well
as gain insight into personalities, topics to avoid
and what components of your experience to play
up. Anyone can obtain information about the company
on the Internet, but the headhunter has details
about why a position is being created, how a department
has been impacted by recent growth or what happened
to the person who formerly occupied the job. Ask
your recruiter what experience and leadership skills
the employer seeks. You go into the interview prepared
with information you can't obtain elsewhere.
Enhances Candidate's
Skills
Once they've identified a qualified candidate, good
recruiters coach them throughout the job search process,
often starting with the resume. It may require an overhaul
to better position a candidate, or simply polish to
highlight expertise for a particular job. In addition,
many will role-play or conduct trial interviews with
prospects. This enables you to safely practice for
the meeting with someone who has insight into what
is actually wanted by the hiring authority. You also
can determine how to finesse difficult questions.
Handles the Compensation
Conversation
Recruiters assist in negotiating salary with employers.
That allows all interactions with company representatives
to focus on you and the skills you bring to the table.
It's important to note that while the employer pays
the recruiter a fee, the recruiter negotiates on YOUR
behalf during salary discussions. Because fees are
often based on a percentage of the salary package,
it is in the recruitment firm's interest to make sure
you obtain what you deserve. In today's job market,
signing bonuses and non-traditional benefits such as
extra vacation or telecommuting are important to some
prospects. Your recruiter handles discussions about
these issues as well.
TIPS TO GET THE MOST
FROM THE RELATIONSHIP
Honesty is the Best
Policy
Some people advise job candidates to be cagey
during the interview process: "Don't
reveal income, don't discuss unsavory career details and never let them know
what you really want." While discretion can be a valuable tool in some situations,
when you're working with a recruiter, honesty is much more productive. One
distinct advantage a headhunter provides is the support to achieve your income
and career goals. It is vital to communicate this information. Talk about
your bottom line related to job demands, salary and perks. You and your recruiter
need to know what points are negotiable and which ones are not.
Headhunters provide
other benefits as well. Through trial interviews,
they can help you position yourself in the best light.
Remember, they want you to get the job. If you openly
discuss how to handle questions about a former layoff,
a personality conflict with a manager or a failed
project, the recruiter can help you respond in a
positive and appropriate manner.
The Speed Factor
Today, speed is the name of the game. Recruiters and
employers are under tremendous pressure to fill
positions. According to an employment trends survey
conducted by Lucas Group during the spring of 2000,
fast decisions are the single most effective action
companies can take to hire the most qualified candidates.
Prospects play a crucial role in the process. Among
the ways you can help:
- Submit resumes and complete
forms in a timely fashion.
- Return phone calls and
respond promptly to e-mails.
- Arrive on time or early
for interviews.
- Don't delay requests
for personal interviews if travel is required.
- Alert references about
potential inquiries and request they respond promptly
as well.
- Make decisions as quickly
as reasonably possible.
- Being prompt benefits
you as well. Those who labor over decisions -- even
if they are the best qualified for a position --
have lost out to less desirable candidates willing
to move at a faster pace.
Professionalism
With the advent of casual business attire, the proliferation
of multiple telecommunications devices and the
presence of the Internet, a word about professionalism
is in order. It is never wrong to err on the side
of caution during the job search process. When
working with a recruiter, some candidates feel
these interactions can be handled more casually
since it is not the "real" job interview. Don't
make that mistake.
Recruiters assess your
performance every step of the way and use this information
to determine whether to recommend you to their clients.
Always dress professionally. Be selective with cell
phone usage. If you answer calls and happen to be
at the pool with the kids or inside a noisy restaurant
this will not convey the message you want to deliver.
Even answering calls during a meeting can give a
potential employer the impression that you don't
have the proper business focus. Caller ID or a beeper
can eliminate these difficulties and enable you to
return calls from more appropriate locations. Make
sure your voice mail message is suitable for job
hunting situations and substitute that partyon!@hotmail.com e-mail
address with something more businesslike.
Questions To Ask
If a recruiter contacts you, these questions can help
you determine whether the firm is right for you:
1. How long has
your recruitment firm been in business? With low
unemployment and an enormous demand for qualified
employees, many new recruitment firms have popped
up. Companies with established records might have
more solid industry contacts.
2. Do your recruiters
specialize in my particular market niche? You have
a much better chance of being placed in the position
you desire by working with headhunters experienced
in your field.
3. Name
some companies where you have successfully placed
candidates in my field. The answer will provide more
insight into the firm's experience and whether they
represent companies where you'd like to work.
4. What
is the average tenure of your recruiters? Beware
of companies that will not provide this information
or those with an average of less than five years.
5. Is
there a charge to me for your services? You want
to work with a recruiter who is paid by the company
for placing candidates. There should be no charge
to you.
6. Does
your company have a national reach or are you located
in just one city? If your job search is limited to
the city where the firm is located, this may not
be a problem. If your interest is more national in
scope or you seek a higher-level management position,
then select a firm with a more extensive presence.
