Job hunting can be daunting, from finding the right roles that are worth applying for (hiding among hundreds of others), researching and doing your due diligence on the company and interviewer, through to salary negotiations.
The good news is that working with a specialist recruiter within your chosen industry, can reduce a great deal of this stress by representing and supporting you through the recruitment process.
There are a few things you will need to keep in mind though – so, here are some top tips on how to work effectively with a recruiter:
#1 Find the right recruiter and develop a long term relationship!
Work with recruiters who are specialists in the field and industry you are working in. They will understand the market and the terminology you are using and will be able to provide you with market information and opportunities that are relevant to you. Keep in mind that a TRUE specialist in the industry will have: in-depth knowledge of the industry, know companies that will be of interest to you, a professional network and existing relationships within the industry – all of which will play a big part in how you are represented! It is also important to find a recruiter who is aligned with your values and you feel comfortable with – after all it is all about a trusted relationship and your recruiter will act not only as someone helping you find your next role but be able to provide you with long term career advice. Staying in touch with them will be fruitful in the long run.
#2 Engagement
It is okay to engage and work with more than one recruiter, but we suggest keeping it to no more than two. As specialist recruiters work within the same market and on many of the same roles, it is likely that you will be approached by them for the same role/s – it will make your life easier receiving phone calls and emails only from your selected ones.
#3 Be transparent and honest!
Don’t hold information back – be open and honest about your salary, reasons for looking to change roles/company, non-negotiables in your next role/company, etc. It is in both your best interests to find the best opportunity for you. Keep your recruiter updated about other opportunities you might have in the pipeline (especially roles you have applied to directly), even if they are with other recruiters.
#4 Know your goals
Know what is important to you for your short and long-term career goals – be honest about what makes you unhappy in your current role and why you would like to move. The drivers for each person are different and your recruiter needs to know the real motivators for you in order to be able to find the best potential role for you. Maybe it’s professional growth, work-life balance, flexibility, higher salary, different management style, etc.
#5 Keep track of where your CV has been sent
It can look unprofessional and lower your chances of being successful for a role when the recruiter sends your CV to a company where you have already applied to directly. This can also be the case if either you or your recruiter sends your CV to too many companies (ie flooding the market) – be in control of when and to whom your CV is sent (remember that this is your professional profile/reputation and you need to be strategic and in control of its use).
Make a list of jobs you have applied directly or through another recruiter – and always ensure that you give your consent to a recruiter before they share your CV with a client.
#6 Be open to feedback and advice
Taking constructive feedback positively and treating it as a development exercise can help you to improve your CV, personal branding and improve your chances of securing and performing well on an interview and getting the job (after all, this is what it is all about isn’t it?). If feedback is not offered, take the initiative and elicit feedback from your recruiter and the individuals you have interviewed with (this is best managed through your recruiter – after all this is what they are there for).
#7 Help recruiters find you
Whilst you can always get in touch directly with a specialist recruiter in your field/industry, keeping you LinkedIn profile up-to-date with all the relevant information will help them find you! This can be useful when you are not actively looking for a new role, but want to keep an eye on the market; or when your specialist recruiter is working on a role that is not advertised (yes, there are roles that company’s fill that are NOT advertised openly on job boards such as LinkedIn and SEEK).
Please see my previous article on how to use your LinkedIn profile to full potential here.
Whether you are passively or actively looking for a new role (or not looking at all), be mindful of how you can best engage with a specialist recruiter – ensure that you find one that is a true specialist within your area, aligns with your values and one you feel most comfortable with.
I am a Senior Consultant at Parity Consulting – specialising in Product Management and Product Development roles across Asset and Wealth Management. An avid ice skater, experimental Italian cook and trained personal stylist, I’m passionate about identifying great talent and helping them achieve their ambitions and progress their careers in Product.
For a confidential discussion about opportunities in Product Management and Product Development in 2019, contact me on +61 405 395 021 or avillanyi@parityconsulting.com.au