Whether you’re in the job market or happily employed, you may get a call from a recruiter or headhunter. Don’t hang up! Working with a reputable, exceptional recruiter can help you take the next step up in a successful, satisfying career. How?
- Recruiters are connected. They’ll know about job openings you may never see. Or, they can introduce you and your skills and experience to your dream employer, helping to sell you as a valuable employee and encouraging them to hire you before they lose you to another company. A great recruiter will always work to present your qualifications and value proposition, helping you get a foot in the door, advocating for you along the way and improving your chances of getting at least an interview if not a job offer.
- Recruiters are industry experts. Or regional experts. They make it their business to know what’s going on in their specialty industry, such as who the key players and rising stars are, and where the next great job openings are likely to be. If they specialize in one geographic area, they make it a point to know the movers and shakers, the leaders, and the companies that offer the best salaries and benefits.
- Recruiters offer career and job-seeking advice. Experienced recruiters will review your resume, offer interview coaching and tips, help you improve your job-seeking process and help you put your best foot forward at all times. They may also have inside knowledge of your target industry or company and can provide compensation guidance and “cultural fit” insight on prospective employers.
Know Your Recruiters
Before you decide to work with a recruiter, make sure you know what type is on the other end of the line.
- Staffing recruiters work for staffing firms to provide a wide range of candidates to customers. Staffing recruiters may place candidates in temporary, contract or permanent jobs.
- Corporate recruiters handle most aspects of the employee recruitment process for their own organization, where they are usually part of the human resources department.
- Executive contingent recruiters work for search firms that are engaged by clients to perform a very specific search, usually for mid- and senior-level positions. Contingent recruiters receive a fee only if they successfully place a candidate.
- Executive retained recruiters work for search firms that are engaged by clients to perform a specific search for a senior executive position. They receive a retainer (upfront fee) to execute a search.
A recruiter’s goal is to match you with a position that fits your skills and experiences and that also supports and advances your career goals. If this sounds good to you, take that call! And if you haven’t been called yet, take charge of your career by calling Synerfac.