There are many benefits of using a recruiter in your job search efforts. Recruiters can give you an advantage over your competition and increase your chances of landing a new position.
Below are nine reasons why it’s worth using a recruiter to aid in your job search from eFinancial Careers:
- They should have a better view of the market than internal recruiters
Any recruiter worth their salt will be constantly mapping the market to find out the recruitment intentions of both their clients and companies who work with competing recruitment agencies. - They can tell you what the market wants
It’s pointless bringing emotion into the job search; if you’re getting consistently rejected for roles, or ignored completely by recruiters despite feeling that you’re well suited to the role then there’s a reason. Often, this reason can be a small one – you might have most of the relevant skill-sets but your market may have shifted slightly and employers are demanding new, or niche, expertise that your CV is currently lacking. Any good recruiter should be willing to take a few minutes to advise you on this. - They work hard for good candidates, but keep them focused on you
Recruiters, contrary to what most candidates believe, have the interests of clients rather than job applicants at heart. It’s therefore a common tactic to milk candidates for colleagues who could potentially make the shortlist, only for the recruiter to then ditch the original applicant. The key is to keep your cards close to your chest on this front, don’t alert any colleagues (no matter how close) to the opportunity and then set about convincing the recruiter that you’re perfect for the role. - They’re more likely to move you into a larger, more prestigious company
Using recruiters and headhunters is an expensive option, and it’s likely larger, more high-profile firms who are likely to employ their services. This, according to academics at IE University who researched the topic, means that recruiters are usually the best route into a job at a large bank or financial services firm. - They can provide free market intelligence
Yes, recruiters may often appear obtrusive (or disappear entirely) to candidates who don’t make the cut, but there’s ultimately little financial incentive for them to engage with applicants whose profiles don’t match the job description. Recruiters are expensive for the clients, who pay the fees, but free for the candidates. As we mentioned above, they can be a good source for the state of the job market in your area, but can also provide detailed feedback for the roles you failed to get, which could help in your future job search. - Niche recruiters can be surprisingly helpful
Scared of leaving your career in the hands of a 20-something recruiter with pointy shoes, spiky hair and a ruthless sales-driven mentality? Then do your research. While it makes sense to use the larger agencies who have a large number of roles, experienced recruiters also tend to gravitate to smaller players with more of a specialism and have a genuine understanding of their space. - They’re more likely to help those on the non-jerk list
Assuming you’re not spamming out your CV to the same recruitment firm for roles you’re patiently unsuitable for, the best way to stay off the blacklist and in the books is to stay in front of mind and in regular contact with a recruiter you have an existing relationship with. This doesn’t mean harassing them, but a quick call or coffee once a month will certainly help build a bond. - They will negotiate more favorable job terms
One of the other benefits of using a recruiter is if you’re asking for a bigger salary than an employer would like, or have any other requirements that could be awkward to bring up with a potential employer, then a recruiter will fight your corner to get a good deal once an offer has been extended. - They are more likely to secure you a promotionIn contrast to assumptions that recruiters only consider perfect candidates, research by IE University academics suggested using headhunters was the best way to secure a promotion. Because employers tend to trust the information supplied by recruiters, they’re more likely to consider a candidate than if they pitched themselves for a role above their current position.
