The Recruitment Factor

In an intensive and competitive job market more and more professional recruiters are searching for highly qualified, professional candidates who meet the needs of a diverse range of hiring managers. These recruiters are a valuable resource but it is important to clearly understand their role and how you as a candidate fit into the picture. Without this knowledge, you may find the recruitment situation disappointing or frustrating.

Recruiters work on a commission basis or are paid a retainer fee by hiring companies. They are not working for you. Don't be fooled into thinking that they have your best interests are heart and are working hard to find you a job. Their client, i.e. the hiring company is their only priority. Where you as a candidate come into play is that they require qualified candidates who can be presented to the hiring company for interview. For this reason a recruiter may have 2 or 3 viable candidates for presentation to the hiring company.

The recruiters are very busy people who work in a demanding and challenging environment in an increasingly competitive job market. They try and fill positions as fast as possible for their client. The sooner they place a candidate the sooner they secure their commission and the stronger the relationship with the company.

While the recruiter doesn't have any personal affiliation or loyalty to you, it is important to realize that you can still benefit from this situation.

To provide you with some direction we have compiled a list of tips that will help you through the process:

• Select recruiters based on your target job; job level, industry and location.
• Forward both your resume and cover letter to target recruiters. Clearly, outline your specific job requirements to ensure clarity from the start. Maintain a high level of professionalism in all communication with your targeted recruiters, just as you would a hiring manager.
• Recruiters are not there to offer you additional direction or expertise in creating career documents. Your resume and cover letter should be professionally prepared prior to meeting a recruiter and should be ready for interview.
• If you don't receive an immediate response from any of your targeted recruiters, don't worry. All it means is that they have nothing on their books suitable for your specific experience. Don't do follow-up calls, as they will contact you when they have a suitable vacancy. Pestering them will ensure that you are removed from their list of potential candidates. Remember it is in their best interest to contact you if/when they have a vacant position that suits your background.
• Following a 3 or 4 month period of silence you may re-send your resume and cover letter with an attached note stating that you are enclosing your attached updated version for their files. In this way, you will have professionally and courteously reminded them of your candidacy.
• When you receive a request for additional information or clarification of any kind, respond swiftly and professionally. It is no different than dealing with a hiring manager and perception is paramount if you wish a recruiter to offer a strong recommendation on your behalf.
• Flexibility, consideration, professionalism and a good attitude are virtues that lend themselves well to your candidacy. Recruiters want to be able to stand over and support all potential candidates that they put forward to their clients.

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