Should You Get a Job Through a Recruiter?
As a job seeker, you're eager to put your best foot forward in your job search. You've posted your resume on a few job boards, set up automatic job alerts, and even applied to several positions. Finally, the phone rings, but it's not an employer—it's a recruiter. You may have heard of agency recruiters or know other job seekers who have been employed by a staffing firm. But should you work with one? Do you need a recruitment agency to find jobs, or can you handle the job search process on your own? Is it even a good idea to be hired through a recruiter? Whether you are looking for a permanent or direct-hire job, a contract position, or a temporary or temp-to-hire role, there are a lot of advantages to working with a good recruiter for both your current job search and your long-term career.
Benefit from a Recruiter's Network
One of the keys to being successful as a recruiter is building a professional network. This means that experienced recruiters have relationships with many of the top companies and professionals in your industry, and they can use these connections to help you find the right position. They know the current market, who is hiring, and what skills are in demand. If a recruiter thinks you may be a good fit for one of their clients, they can submit your resume to their internal contact even if the company doesn't currently have any official open positions. This may allow you to interview with prospective employers who would not otherwise accept your application.
Expand Your Own Professional Network
Building professional relationships is essential to advancing your career, and networking with recruiters who focus on your field is a great place to start. A recruiter can not only help you find specific jobs but also help you make professional connections that can support your career advancement. A talented recruiter is an outstanding person to add to your professional network, whether you're an experienced professional seeking new career opportunities or a recent graduate looking for your first job.
Bypass Traditional Application Processes
In the course of your job search, you've probably sent a lot of resumes into the abyss of online job applications. You might start to wonder if anyone even receives them. Working with an agency recruiter can help you avoid this black hole and ensure your resume gets noticed. Since they have connections with internal recruiters, department managers, and business owners, recruiters can send your resume directly to the hiring manager, bypassing applicant tracking systems and lengthy review processes. They will also describe your key qualifications and highlight what makes you a strong contender for the role. For potential candidates who they think would be a great fit, they will go out of their way to encourage hiring managers to give them an interview, even if their resume doesn't quite check all the boxes in the job ad for a particular role.
Access to the Hidden Job Market
One of the biggest advantages of working with a recruiter is getting access to job openings that aren't posted publicly. Because recruiters have established relationships with hiring managers, they often hear about job opportunities before they are listed or advertised. Whether the position is confidential or the company wants to fill a role quickly without going through an official search process, recruiters' insider tips can allow you to get your foot in the door before other candidates even know there is a job opening.
Expertise in Your Industry and Job
Many general agency recruiters work with a wide range of roles but lack the technical expertise to effectively recruit for more specialized industries, such as IT staffing. Use a recruiter who specializes in your field. They will not only understand your industry and job description, but they will also have more relevant jobs in your area of expertise. They are familiar with industry trends, understand what certifications or skills hiring managers are looking for in qualified candidates, and have the expertise to help you find the right role for your experience and career goals.
Job Search Advice and Interview Feedback
One of the biggest challenges when going through a job search is getting meaningful feedback. Many hiring managers don't have time or aren't willing to provide critical feedback that can help you polish your resume, improve your interview skills, or increase your chances of landing a job. Agency recruiters are not only experts in the hiring process, but they also follow up after each job interview with both their clients and candidates. This not only provides information about your interview performance but also any abilities or experience you may be lacking to be deemed a top applicant for the role. Recruiters are in a unique position to advise you on your job search since hiring managers are more likely to be open and honest with them than they are with you as a candidate.
If you're struggling to find a job, ask for your recruiter's advice. They are experts in the current job market and can give you resume feedback, interview tips, or suggestions on how to stand out to potential employers. Recruiters want you to be successful, and they are experts at what they do, so don't hesitate to ask for tips to improve your job search.
Assistance with Salary Negotiations
Many people have the misconception that recruiters just want to find candidates to fill any position and will try to convince you to accept the lowest possible salary to do so. In fact, the opposite is true—it is in their interest to get you the best salary possible. First, a good agency wants to place you in a role where you will be satisfied and successful. They want to build a long-term relationship with you, and it doesn't reflect well on them if you quit for a higher-paying job shortly after being hired. Second, they are usually commission-based, so a higher salary for you means a higher commission for them. Finally, they understand what a competitive salary is for your position and will advise their clients to offer a wage that will attract good, long-term candidates to their business. Once you've been offered a new job, a recruiter can help you manage salary negotiations from start to finish, working to make sure both you and the hiring company are happy with the job offer.
Support Throughout Your Current Job Search Process. . .
Job searching is hard, and it's easy for job seekers to become overwhelmed or frustrated after weeks or months of combing job boards with little success. Recruiters provide support throughout the hiring process, from refining your resume for specific positions to navigating interviews and negotiating job offers. Having someone who understands the job search process can make job hunting a lot less stressful. And although recruiters don't make hiring decisions and can't guarantee you'll get a job offer, they can offer advice and support and may even connect you with a job you love.
. . .And Your Future Job Searches
A good recruiter doesn't end the relationship when you get hired. They will continue to keep in touch with you throughout your career. Recruiters can offer advice for career growth, introduce you to new contacts in the industry, and locate exciting future opportunities. If they don't have a position that's a good fit for you right now, they could be the key to opening doors to other opportunities in the future. In short, working with a recruiter is not just about finding a job today—it's about building relationships that can support your long-term career goals.
At No Cost to Job Seekers
Recruiters are paid by the specific company that hires their candidates. Because their service is free for job seekers, you have nothing to lose by giving it a shot. Even if their current open jobs aren't a good fit for you, you can still benefit from talking to people in the industry and making connections that may help you in the future. On the other hand, if they do have the specific position you're looking for, everyone wins.
Are There Cons to Working with a Recruiter?
Like any industry, recruiting has its pros and cons. Some recruiters may be unskilled or incompetent, and some staffing companies may pressure you into accepting a position that isn't a good fit. Recruiting is also a very competitive and fast-paced industry, which means recruiters have to move quickly to avoid losing a job or candidate to the competition. Therefore, some recruiters may not get back to you if they don't have any relevant positions or if they don't get a response after submitting your resume to their client. This doesn't mean you're a bad candidate; rather, it's usually because the recruiter is either too busy or too inexperienced to call you when they don't have any news.
There is also no guarantee that the recruiter will be able to find a job for you. Ultimately, agency recruiters work for the hiring company, not the job seeker. This means that the recruiter's job is to find qualified candidates to fill their clients' open positions; it's not their responsibility to find a job for every applicant. While recruiting agencies would like to place all of their candidates, they will not have the right role for everyone.
Although ghosting and poor communication can be traits of a bad (or overwhelmed) recruiter, the good news is that there are many outstanding recruiters out there, and one of the most rewarding aspects of their job is helping a candidate find a new position they love.
Should You Use a Recruiter to Get a Job?
Working with agency recruiters can be a great way to find your next job. They are industry experts, have the networks and resources to help you stand out from the crowd, and can provide invaluable insight into the hiring process. The decision to use a recruiter should be an easy one if you’re working with a reputable agency. You are simply creating more opportunities to make connections, expand your network, and land interviews. With the right recruiter on your side and a solid job search strategy, you can find your next position and move forward in your career.
Article Author:
Ashley Meyer
Divisional Business Coordinator
Albany, NY