Opinion

Top tips for working with a recruiter for the first time

We’re here to help our candidates at every step of their career by providing unrivalled local recruitment expertise and we pride ourselves on building long-term relationships with candidates and clients alike. To get off to the best start possible, our consultant Jamie Morton has put together his top tips for those using a recruiter for the first time and has explained more about how the process works and the benefits of working together to find your next professional career step.

Don’t be put off in the first place!

Some people are wary of working with a recruitment consultant because of a common misconception that they will take your money in the form of a percentage of your salary. This isn’t the case. There are many benefits to working with a recruitment consultant, but it doesn’t cost you anything. The relationships recruiters build with businesses mean they are likely to know about jobs you might not have heard of otherwise. They will also support you at every step of the way from reviewing your CV to interview preparation, as well as providing expert insight into the current recruitment market.

Take the time to meet

It really is worth taking the time to meet your recruiter face to face. It can be difficult fitting a meeting around your current position, but a good consultant will be as flexible as possible to find a time and location which suits you. Being able to meet you in person really helps a recruiter to get to know you and champion you to potential employers. A good recruiter will only ever put candidates forward for roles they really think they are suitable for, not only matching skills and experience but also personality and cultural fit.

Be open and honest

Meeting with a recruiter isn’t a job interview, it’s the chance for them to really scope out who you are and what you are looking for. Do some thinking beforehand and talk about what you really want from your next career move, what your ambitions are, your salary expectations and the type of environment and culture you’d like to work in. Be honest about your motivations for looking for a new role and any companies you’ve already approached yourself. If you have any concerns about gaps in your CV or lack of relevant qualifications, share them with your recruiter. They’re there to help, but they need the full picture to be able to do the best job possible.

Listen to advice

Be open and willing to listen to any advice. Recruiters are on your side and won’t give any advice or feedback if they don’t think it is relevant to you finding your perfect role. Pure consultants specialise in industry sectors and job roles, so have plenty of experience to draw upon when advising on how you can really stand out to potential employers.

Quality over quantity

While it’s understandable to think that using as many agencies as possible could improve your chances of finding a job, less is definitely more when it comes to recruitment. Working with too many agencies means it can be hard for you to keep track of where your CV is going and what jobs you have been put forward for. It can be extremely off-putting for employers to receive details of the same potential candidate from multiple sources.

Keep in touch

Regular communication is the key to establishing a really fruitful relationship. Working closely with your recruitment consultant means that you can determine the best ways and times to keep in touch. Always share any changes in your situation and pass on any feedback from interviews or assessments. Stay in contact even after you start your new role. Consultants do like to hear how people are settling in and progressing, and they are there to support you at every stage of your career.

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