Learn how to connect and collaborate with recruiters to find your next role

The recruitment world is a complicated and diverse landscape often misunderstood by employers and candidates alike. But understanding how to work with recruiters can significantly improve your job search. Let's take a look at the different types of recruiters, where to find them, and how you can best communicate with them.

What to expect when working with recruiters

As recruiters source candidates who are suitable for a job vacancy, they typically work with you (prospective employee) and the employer throughout the hiring process until an offer is made. After reviewing the CVs and conducting screening calls, they then shortlist candidates before presenting them to the HR manager or person in charge of hiring for the role. They can be:

1. In-house recruiters

Also known as “corporate recruiters” or “talent acquisition specialists,” these sourcing professionals are often part of a company's HR or People Department, and they scout talent solely for the company they work with. They may be heavily involved in the hiring process, including sitting in on or running the interviews and having a say in the final decision. Some are even involved in the onboarding activities of successful hires.

2. Recruitment consultants

When people ask, “How do I work with recruiters?” they usually refer to these recruiters. These professionals work for recruitment agencies, also known as employment agencies and staffing agencies, which are paid by companies (not by candidates!) to fill their vacancies. 

3. Other external recruiters

You may have also encountered different types of specialist “external” recruiters, including “executive recruiters” (specialised in sourcing C-suite professionals for senior management and leadership roles) and “outplacement agencies” (dedicated to helping those facing redundancy).

Many recruitment agencies specialise in different industries and verticals too. So you may also be approached by (or would like to approach) a finance recruiter, an IT recruiter, a legal recruiter, a sales recruiter, and so on. Alternatively, you may want to connect with a more general recruiter with multi-industry connections.

How to find a recruiter for your next job search

Working with a recruiter or a headhunter can give your job hunt the lift it needs. That said, finding the best recruiters for job seekers can be a challenge. Here are a few ways to find the right recruiter for you:

1. Conduct a Google search

Googling “recruitment agency,” “employment agency,” or “staffing firm” and combining it with keywords related to your role, industry or location is likely to generate a list of suitable recruiters. Examples include “Bristol recruitment agency,” “sales jobs staffing firm,” and “PA jobs employment agency Manchester.”

2. Visit and sign up to job boards

Many job boards such as CV-Library or reed have pages dedicated to recruitment agencies. You may want to look through the jobs available on these platforms, or refer to the list as you search for an agency that suits your needs.

Alternatively, you can let recruiters find you by uploading your CV to job boards (recruitment agencies subscribed to the job board's candidate database can view CVs) – that's as long as your CV is keyword-optimised for your industry and ideal role, of course!

3. Browse LinkedIn

Recruiters dominate LinkedIn. Conduct a search for “recruitment consultant” or “recruitment agency” and you'll generate an extensive list of professionals and firms that you can connect with. As this site is likely the fastest way to expand your job-search network, knowing how to work with recruiters on LinkedIn can help you save time and potentially accelerate your job hunt too.

How do you approach a recruiter?

When you've found a recruiter you want to work with, the first step is sending them a quick email or message on LinkedIn. You don't have to write a full cover letter. Simply draft a brief message covering the type of roles you're looking for and attaching your CV. 

How to work with recruiters effectively – 7 top tips

Remember these tips to make working with recruiters worth your – and their – time:

1. Keep your job-search goals in mind

It's not a recruiters duty to find you a job ‒ they're looking for candidates who align with the roles they have. You'll save each other a lot of time if you have your career goals front and centre at all times. Consider the industry, type of role, and company culture you're after so that a recruiter can assess your suitability better and faster.

2. Be honest with recruiters

Honesty really is the best policy when working with recruiters. Many candidates feel they need to hide spells of unemployment or career gaps on a CV from a recruiter, but that can do more harm than good. If you explain why you have a gap or have jumped from job to job, they're better equipped to present you in the best light to employers.

Also, if you no longer want to attend an interview, are working with another recruiter, or have applied for another job at the same company as the one the recruiter did, tell them. By keeping them in the loop, you keep the process streamlined and productive.

3. Know their process

Communicating well with a recruiter is a must. If you're looking to get a job through a recruiter from an agency, understand that each one will work slightly differently. It's best to iron out key details regarding how they work and how you can best work together. Consider asking the following questions:

  • What companies do you represent? This is so you can be sure you're working with an agency that has relationships with the companies you want to work for.

  • What is the process if you find a role suitable for me? It's important to find out if the recruiter will send your CV as it is, or if they will tell you about it first ‒ which will give you a chance to tailor it to the vacancy.

  • What support do you provide at the interview stage? Recruitment agencies should go above and beyond simply arranging the interview. They should provide interview preparation support too. 

  • Are you the main point of contact or should I speak with the employer? The recruitment consultant is commonly the main point of contact throughout the entire process, but it's best to check.

4. Listen to their advice and feedback

Be open to receiving constructive feedback from recruiters. They're the experts in this game, so why wouldn't you listen to their tips and suggestions for your CV or interview techniques? If a recruiter doesn't offer feedback initially, don't be afraid to ask

5. Don't be overzealous

Proactivity is a great quality to have when working with a recruiter, especially if you've identified the right type of recruiter to work with. But you don't need to call them every other day to see what they have available. Trust that you're on the books and that they'll contact you if the right opportunity arises.

6. Track your submissions

Create a list of your job applications and track them through each stage. This is especially important when working with more than one recruiter. There's nothing more frustrating than a recruiter phoning you about a role, only for you to forget exactly which one it is or who it was for.

7. Manage your expectations

While working with a recruiter vs applying directly may save you time, it can also do the opposite for your job search. It's best to acknowledge all the pros and cons of using a recruiter when finding a job, and understand that: 

  • Recruiters can be biassed. Because recruitment consultants receive a commission for successful hires, they can sometimes adopt unfavourable tactics. If you feel a recruiter is pushing you into a role that isn't right for you, stop using them. All good recruitment firms will offer advice, support, and guidance ‒ they should never pressure you.
  • You're not the client – or the priority! As cutthroat as it sounds, recruiters care about the employer (or the hiring manager) more than you. Remember that the employer is their client. Ultimately, recruiters want to coach you to become a great candidate because it will help your (and their) chances of success. So be grateful for the free advice they offer at every step of the job search.
  • Recruiters may tell white lies. Unfortunately, recruiters can't tell you everything. For instance, if you're told that a company isn't interested, it might not be because of you. Hiring is a complex process with many potentially disruptive rules and regulations to follow. Recruiters may not be able to divulge this information, which makes the job hunt trickier for you. It's always worth asking for feedback though, so you can work out any opportunities to improve your candidacy.

Make working with recruiters work for you!

The job search landscape is a competitive one, but by implementing these tips and best practices, you'll boost your chances of cultivating a fruitful relationship with a recruiter and landing your next job. Now that you know how to work with recruiters, why not get started? 

Like recruiters, a professionally written CV can help strengthen your job prospects. Learn more about working with a professional CV writer, or get a free CV review.

This article was originally written by Laura Slingo and has been updated by Charlotte Grainger.

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