Why you're shooting yourself in the foot if you're not working with a recruiter

Recruiters and recruitment agencies are often overlooked as a tool in the candidates toolbox. But why wouldn't you use someone who's job it is to help you find a job you love? You're shooting yourself in the foot if you don't use a free service that's ready and waiting for you to get in touch.

In the current New Zealand job market, a lot of companies are desperate for talent; there are plenty of jobs out there, but which one is right for you?

To keep your eyes on the best opportunities and to make smart moves, not just any moves, you need more than just a good resume. You need support. Someone in your corner who knows your career aspirations and who can help you get where you want to be in the long term.

This is where recruiters can help. A great recruiter will help you think about who you are, where you are going with your career, including your skills, abilities and motivations, a process that will help you determine a career plan for you to map out the right role(s) for you now and in the future.

The benefits of having a solid recruiter on your side

“I love my job. Why do I need to work with a recruiter?” You may be happy with your job and may not be looking for a change at this point. But what if the situation changes? What if there are better opportunities that might be a “step up” for you and put you on the path to your ideal job? You would do your career a disservice by not preparing for changes that you didn’t see coming.

This is why having a trusted relationship with a reliable recruiter in your industry makes sense even if you aren’t actively looking for a new job. In fact, waiting until you’re ready for your next job search to connect with a recruiter is a mistake. Why? Because, you’ll be in a hurry to land a new job, and as a result, will not have the time to be picky when it comes to choosing the right recruiter or even the right opportunity for you.

Second, when you don’t have a prior relationship with a recruiter, they won’t have a clear picture about you and your career plan. Having a long-standing relationship gives them insight into your current job situation, what an ideal opportunity looks like for you, and your preferences. They’ll know where you stand on things like your career aspirations, flexibility, commute, whether you are looking for contract or full-time work, and what your preferred salary looks like. In short, if you have spent a little time building this relationship with a recruiter, they will have all the intel they need for finding your dream job.

Still need convincing? Other than the fact that it’s FREE to use a recruiter, here are 5 more tips showing why talking to a recruiter is going to help you nab the job you deserve:

1. Get access to the hidden job market

Many job openings at most companies go unlisted—that is, they’re not posted on job boards. A good recruiter is your key to access those opportunities because they work directly with employers. But why should you go after these “hidden” opportunities? Compared to standard job search resources like job boards, unlisted vacancies have a far lesser number of candidates competing against you. This increases your odds of success and can help you stand out more.

2. Leverage networks you don’t have

Building great contacts and networking is an essential but often overlooked skill. Plus, it takes a considerable amount of time to build a network, especially one that pays off when you need it the most — when you’re unemployed or actively seeking a change. Partnering with a recruiter takes this headache out of the equation, at least to some extent. A good recruiter has a very strong network they can leverage in finding you a great position, within your industry and even help you make cross-industry moves.

3. Get advice from ‘people in the know’

Great recruiters will be a good source of sound career advice. They can offer valuable insights on companies and their culture and a likely fit with you, salary negotiations, interviews, and resumes that will help you up your job search game.

4. Escape the job application “black hole”

If you’ve searched for a job before, you probably know how frustrating it is to apply for a job and never hear back. You can avoid your resume getting sucked into the recruiting black hole when you have a recruiter to make sure your resume is seen by the hiring manager. And if the recruiter has a great relationship with the employer, you are almost guaranteed to get an interview.

5. Pave the way for finding your dream job in future

Recruiters are consistently filling new positions. This is one of the biggest reasons why having a professional relationship with a recruiter can have long-term benefits for your future job searches. If they had success in placing you in a job where you’ve fetched great reviews from the employers, they may want to keep you in mind for other positions in the future.

But teaming up with just about any recruiter can do more harm than good. So…

Choose your recruiter wisely

Relying on the wrong recruiters can make your job search more difficult. It may even land you in a position/company that isn’t the right fit for you. So, how do you choose a recruiter you can trust?

1. Work with a local recruiter who is a specialist, someone who has a deep understanding of your industry. This will make sure they know your industry, can point you in the right direction, and even suggest networking groups or industry leaders for you to get in touch with.

2. Pay attention to the questions you are being asked. A good recruiter will always spend time getting to know you. They’ll note your preferences, career aspirations, salary expectations, etc. so that they can place you with the right employer.

3. Take your turn in asking questions. It’s a two-way street, make sure you also ask your recruiter what they can help you with. How long has the recruiter been in business? What is the approach they take to recruiting? What is their relationship with the client?

4. Don’t lose touch. If everything seems good and you get a positive vibe out of your first interaction, go ahead and build a relationship with that recruiter. Stay in touch with them, and let them be a great resource for you. Whether you are actively looking for a job now, or want to be kept in the loop about what’s out there, working with a recruiter is the best strategy for finding your dream job, and building your career.

In summary, building a relationship with a recruiter that is knowledgeable in your industry, and is ready to support you with your career plan is a golden ticket to finding your dream job. It doesn’t cost you anything but could be priceless in supporting you and your future career. What are you waiting for? Get in touch with us now.