Get The Most From Your Recruitment Agency

If you choose to pursue a recruitment agency as part of your job search strategy, there are a few things you can do to get the most out of your interactions with them.

1. Be honest

It can be tempting to exaggerate your qualifications or experience, but it is always best to be honest with a recruiter. Many of the best recruitment agencies do check backgrounds and claims of experience, so if you are not truthful you will likely be found out and dropped from the firm.

2. Don't waste their time

Recruitment agencies earn their fees based on finding and placing qualified candidates in open positions. If you are not serious about seeking a new position, or if you are not serious about a particular position for which you have been recruited, do not play along or go through the process just for the experience. This is a waste of your time as well as the recruiter's time, and you will not be looked upon favorably in the future.

3. Develop and maintain the relationship

Developing and maintaining a good relationship with a professional recruiter can help you get a good job, but it is equally important to keep the relationship intact once you are in that new job. Stay in touch periodically, provide referrals to qualified individuals for positions the recruiter might have open, and generally position yourself as a helpful resource. Doing this will, at some point, make it easier to access the recruiter when and if you decide to seek a new job.

4. Take their advice

If a recruiter is suggesting you as a candidate for an open position and you are interested in pursuing that open position, then pay close attention to the information and advice offered by the recruiter. He or she probably knows the hiring company quite well and can offer valuable tips to help you learn more about the company and present yourself well during an interview.

5. Be your own advocate

The biggest mistake many job seekers make when working with a recruiter is to settle back and wait for open positions to appear. If you do this, you will be disappointed and the recruiter very likely will drop you from the database. Professional recruiters look for candidates who will be active participants in their job search, working diligently to present themselves well and enhance their attractiveness to a potential employer. When you do your part, the recruiter has an easier time doing his or her part.

Click here to go to the next recruiter article - Understanding The Role Of The Recruiter