How to Work Effectively With Recruiters

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T / find out what it means to me" is a line made famous by Aretha Franklin, and one that recruiters have adopted as their mantra. This is probably because there is a love-hate relationship between candidates and recruiters. Specifically, candidates love what recruiters can do for them, but at the same time, aren't fond of the fact that they need their services.

One can hardly blame candidates, since over the years recruiters have been branded as uncaring, money-hungry vultures who have their eyes set only on the bottom line. Whether there is a grain of truth to that belief or not, I can't say for sure. However, what I do know is that recruiters have been, and will continue to be, a viable resource for candidates. For this reason, recruiters shouldn't be dismissed, but instead appreciated for the role they play in the career services industry.

Many recruiters suggest that job seekers don't fully understand what a recruiter's function is in the job search process, and that this is where the lack of respect originates. In an effort to educate job seekers, below are some pointers that recruiters want every job seeker to know.

Respect what recruiters do. Although recruiters don't work for you, the good ones will work with you. With a hiring company in mind, a recruiter will make recommendations on how you should change your resume, the way you interview and/or the way you dress. If this is the case, heed his or her advice. Recruiters have insider information on the specifications the hiring organization is searching for, and the clues they provide are based on that knowledge.

Respect what recruiters can't do for you. The recruiter's allegiance is to the hiring organization. Therefore, he or she is going to spend his/her time and resources on scouting a candidate that fits the hiring organization's specifications, not on finding you a job. That's why it is important to realize that recruiters are just one source of getting interviews. Your job search plan should include other methods of gaining employment such as networking, answering want ads and responding to Internet postings.

Respect the interview with a recruiter. Save your war stories for your local bartender. When you contact recruiters, be discriminating about the type of information you provide. A meeting with a recruiter is an interview. Don't allow the informality of the conversation to convince you otherwise. During a meeting with a recruiter you will be judged on your performance; therefore, be professional at all times.

Respect a recruiter's time. When a recruiter has recommended you for a position, that means he or she has invested time in your career; therefore, respect their time, return their phone calls, and provide them feedback on the company after any interview. Recruiters are especially interested in knowing your interest level, your thoughts about the interviewer, the rundown of the interview process, and the next step agreed to by you and the company.

Respect a recruiter's reputation. Recruiters aren't just out to fill a job order. Their credibility is dependent on the caliber of candidates they send on interviews. As a result, recruiters look for candidates who know what they want, present themselves professionally, and are out to win job offers.

When working with a recruiter, a partnership is formed; and in order for the relationship to be successful, there must be a mutual respect between the two of you. Recruiters want to work with candidates who want to work with them, not candidates who are having difficulty finding a job and want to be rescued. If you can effectively convey to a recruiter that you have a sincere interest in working with him or her, you'll find yourself in turn treated with respect.

About The Author

Recognized as a career expert, Linda Matias brings a wealth of experience to the career services field. She has been sought out for her knowledge of the employment market, outplacement, job search strategies, interview preparation, and resume writing, quoted a number of times in The Wall Street Journal, New York Newsday, Newsweek, and HR-esource.com. She is President of CareerStrides and the National Resume Writers' Association. Visit her website at www.careerstrides.com or email her at linda@careerstrides.com.

---

A Day in the Life of a Freelance Copywriter

Ever wanted a job where you could spend all day,... Read More

Get a Job! Tips for Organizing Your Resume

Whether you're a Vice President of Marketing or a recent... Read More

Targeting Your Resume is So Important For Your Career

Targeting your portfolio, (resume and cover letter) can get you... Read More

Job Search 101

The whole job search effort is completely exhausting and at... Read More

The Computer-Friendly Resume

The evolution of technology is changing the traditional methods for... Read More

How to Improve Your Work Situation

buWhy are so many people unhappy in their work situation?... Read More

Self-Preservation Techniques For The Unemployed

Looking for work can be difficult, frustrating, anxiety-provoking, and demeaning.There... Read More

The Changing Values Landscape of the U.S. and How It Impacts Midlife Job Searchers, Part Two

The values landscape of our nation is changing, and with... Read More

Auto-Disqualification - When Your Resume Never Reaches the Decision Maker

How would you know if your resume did or didn't... Read More

The Perfect Resume

The perfect resume presents hiring managers with a... Read More

Finding the Right Travel Nursing Placement Agency

Travel nursing is becoming one of our nation's fastest growing... Read More

Is Job Loss Making You Sick?

Job loss affects most of us like any other loss... Read More

A Job is Not a Job

It only happened on Mondays. Sometimes I escaped... Read More

Power Resumes ? Writing Your Objectives

A powerful resume starts with a good statement of objective.... Read More

Avoid Potential Job Interview Disasters

There are definitely things that you can do to avoid... Read More

The Changing Values Landscape of the U.S. and How It Impacts Midlife Job Searchers

Imagine a huge river that has been flowing for centuries:... Read More

Traveling for An Interview? 10 Tips to Get You From Here to There

You've just been granted an on-site interview in another town.... Read More

Waiting For the Official Job Offer

At the end of the third job interview, Helene was... Read More

Workplace Violence - 8 Tips For Spotting Early Warning Signs

One of the greatest threats facing both employees and the... Read More

Planning Your Successful Career: 15 Ideas

"Doing a good job is one of the most important... Read More

Resumes and First impressions

Hunting for a position in a new career field? Trying... Read More

Find A Job In A Fast Growing Field Using Labor Market Information For Your State

The question confronting most people who want to find a... Read More

Using The Internet For Job-hunting

The Internet is a very useful tool for job seekers... Read More

Searching for an IT Job

Looking for an IT job is one of the easiest... Read More

How To Get A Job Fast

In today's unpredictable economy, the idea of job security with... Read More

How Can Qualifications Help Your Proof Reading Career?

For those who are looking for a career as a... Read More

Taking a Survival Type Job Is Good For You.

Ugh! Arg! How can a survivor type job be good... Read More

How to Access Employers through Proposal Marketing

Use Proposal Marketing and you'll be your own hot spot,... Read More

Job Search: Time Management

There is an old adage that "Looking for a job... Read More

Ready to Move -- Anywhere!

"I have lived in this city all my life. My... Read More

Crafting A Stellar Career Summary For Your Resume

Are you a career changer? Or, are you satisfied with... Read More

What to Do if You are Over 40 and Have Lost Your Job

Unexpectedly loosing your job can be a very traumatic and... Read More

Avoiding 10 Deadly Interview Mistakes

Too many job seekers set themselves up for failure before... Read More