Top 10 Recruiter Secrets
Posted: 12.02.2015
An article by TorontoJobs.ca
(NOTE: For purposes of this article, recruiters are those people that work in staffing agencies or recruiting firms. Sometimes also known as “headhunters”, this article does not relate to recruiters who work in non-staffing agency companies, although some tips may still apply.)
People often ask us to give us some tips on how to deal with recruiters within staffing firms. Knowing some behind-the-scenes things about recruiters will help you in making your job search more effective.
We have come up with our list of Top 10 Recruiter Secrets which are explained here:
1. Make sure you’re using the right recruiting firm or staffing agency
With the many different recruiting firms available to you to contact, there are some that specialize in certain areas. For example, some firms specialize in accounting while others specialize in general labour. It is important to know which recruiting firm(s) or staffing agency/agencies focus on your experience. If you send your resume to an agency that doesn’t specialize in your area, your resume may end up getting ignored or shredded.
2. Recruiters can be part of your hidden job market
Not all positions that recruiters work on are advertised anywhere. Recruiters in staffing firms have their clients that they deal with. Sometimes they have time to advertise or post the position, but other times their client needs someone quickly. As such, that position will never be advertised and can form part of your hidden job market.
3. Don’t rely exclusively on recruiters
There are some candidates who just rely on recruiters with their search, believing that calling only recruiters and sending their resumes to them is all that’s needed to find a job. While true for some types of candidates, for the majority of people recruiters should form part of their search process, but not rely exclusively on recruiting firms.
4. Don’t apply to every job at a recruiting firm
Some candidates seem to think that if they apply to every job that a recruiting firm has posted that it will somehow increase their chances of getting a job. In fact, it generally has the opposite effect. When recruiters see a candidate that applies to every job available (meaning that they are not only qualified for a Tax Accountant position, but also suitable for an Engineer, Customer Service and General Labour position, their credibility is immediately discounted. Similarly, if a staffing firm has a number of recruiters, it’s best not to send your resume to every recruiter there.
5. You don’t need to call them every hour!
With databases available, staffing agencies will generally know or remember you (there are exceptions to this, though!). As such, you don’t need to call too often. Depending on the type of role you’re looking for, you should stay in touch with them so they don’t forget you, but use your discretion. For example, if you’re looking for a temporary customer service position, it might not be unreasonable to touch base once per week for available opportunities. If you’re looking for a CFO position, contacting once a month might be more appropriate. Ask the recruiter how often they would like you to contact them -- if you have good skills that their clients will be interested in, they will let you know how often to touch base.
6. Recruiters like referrals
It may be that a recruiter can’t help you because of your skills or background, but would be interested in people you know. Helping out a recruiter today with a referral (can be confidential if you prefer) may help you in the long run.
7. Recruiters like honest candidates
Recruiters like dealing with candidates that are up-front and honest about their intentions for finding a job. Leaving out an important detail about your search because you think it will hurt your chances will not help you in the long run. For example, if you accept a full-time job and you don’t mention the fact that your spouse has just accepted a position in another city which will mean you’ll be resigning in 3 months is not a good idea.
Recruiters have long memories (contact management systems help jog their memory if they forget something) and these types of things may come back to haunt you!
8. Be accessible
Recruiters are usually on a time-crunch to fill a position. Have a contact number where you can be reached quickly or have a voice mail available. Recruiters won’t call you for other opportunities if they know it will be difficult to reach you and you may miss out on opportunities you might otherwise have heard about.
9. Think Long-term relationship
If you’re going to be dealing with recruiters, it’s best to think long-term with them. Perhaps they don’t find you something this time, but you never know what they might have down the road. They might call you a few years later to talk to you about a position that you had only dreamed of hearing about.
10. Recruiters are people too!
Recruiters have feelings too. Sometimes they’re on a high from having just filled a position or they’re frustrated with a situation they’re dealing with. Notwithstanding the issues you may be having in finding a new position, making their lives easier will also help you in the long run. If you get placed by a staffing agency, send a thank you email or card.
Conclusion
The more you know about how recruiters work the better your chances will be to land a great job through a staffing firm. Knowing these tips should help you deal better with them and should be able to help you stand out.
(NOTE: For purposes of this article, recruiters are those people that work in staffing agencies or recruiting firms. Sometimes also known as “headhunters”, this article does not relate to recruiters who work in non-staffing agency companies, although some tips may still apply.)
People often ask us to give us some tips on how to deal with recruiters within staffing firms. Knowing some behind-the-scenes things about recruiters will help you in making your job search more effective.
We have come up with our list of Top 10 Recruiter Secrets which are explained here:
1. Make sure you’re using the right recruiting firm or staffing agency
With the many different recruiting firms available to you to contact, there are some that specialize in certain areas. For example, some firms specialize in accounting while others specialize in general labour. It is important to know which recruiting firm(s) or staffing agency/agencies focus on your experience. If you send your resume to an agency that doesn’t specialize in your area, your resume may end up getting ignored or shredded.
2. Recruiters can be part of your hidden job market
Not all positions that recruiters work on are advertised anywhere. Recruiters in staffing firms have their clients that they deal with. Sometimes they have time to advertise or post the position, but other times their client needs someone quickly. As such, that position will never be advertised and can form part of your hidden job market.
3. Don’t rely exclusively on recruiters
There are some candidates who just rely on recruiters with their search, believing that calling only recruiters and sending their resumes to them is all that’s needed to find a job. While true for some types of candidates, for the majority of people recruiters should form part of their search process, but not rely exclusively on recruiting firms.
4. Don’t apply to every job at a recruiting firm
Some candidates seem to think that if they apply to every job that a recruiting firm has posted that it will somehow increase their chances of getting a job. In fact, it generally has the opposite effect. When recruiters see a candidate that applies to every job available (meaning that they are not only qualified for a Tax Accountant position, but also suitable for an Engineer, Customer Service and General Labour position, their credibility is immediately discounted. Similarly, if a staffing firm has a number of recruiters, it’s best not to send your resume to every recruiter there.
5. You don’t need to call them every hour!
With databases available, staffing agencies will generally know or remember you (there are exceptions to this, though!). As such, you don’t need to call too often. Depending on the type of role you’re looking for, you should stay in touch with them so they don’t forget you, but use your discretion. For example, if you’re looking for a temporary customer service position, it might not be unreasonable to touch base once per week for available opportunities. If you’re looking for a CFO position, contacting once a month might be more appropriate. Ask the recruiter how often they would like you to contact them -- if you have good skills that their clients will be interested in, they will let you know how often to touch base.
6. Recruiters like referrals
It may be that a recruiter can’t help you because of your skills or background, but would be interested in people you know. Helping out a recruiter today with a referral (can be confidential if you prefer) may help you in the long run.
7. Recruiters like honest candidates
Recruiters like dealing with candidates that are up-front and honest about their intentions for finding a job. Leaving out an important detail about your search because you think it will hurt your chances will not help you in the long run. For example, if you accept a full-time job and you don’t mention the fact that your spouse has just accepted a position in another city which will mean you’ll be resigning in 3 months is not a good idea.
Recruiters have long memories (contact management systems help jog their memory if they forget something) and these types of things may come back to haunt you!
8. Be accessible
Recruiters are usually on a time-crunch to fill a position. Have a contact number where you can be reached quickly or have a voice mail available. Recruiters won’t call you for other opportunities if they know it will be difficult to reach you and you may miss out on opportunities you might otherwise have heard about.
9. Think Long-term relationship
If you’re going to be dealing with recruiters, it’s best to think long-term with them. Perhaps they don’t find you something this time, but you never know what they might have down the road. They might call you a few years later to talk to you about a position that you had only dreamed of hearing about.
10. Recruiters are people too!
Recruiters have feelings too. Sometimes they’re on a high from having just filled a position or they’re frustrated with a situation they’re dealing with. Notwithstanding the issues you may be having in finding a new position, making their lives easier will also help you in the long run. If you get placed by a staffing agency, send a thank you email or card.
Conclusion
The more you know about how recruiters work the better your chances will be to land a great job through a staffing firm. Knowing these tips should help you deal better with them and should be able to help you stand out.
