Yes recruiters are still out there—and they’re not just working for the Army. Recruiters may work in house for companies in all industries from art to technology or companies may hire them on a “freelance” basis to help recruit fresh talent. There are many different types of recruiters, but some of the most common are corporate recruiters, retained recruiters, and contingency recruiters.
Corporate recruiters are salaried employees that work in house for companies. Their goal is to find and qualify new employees various positions within the organization. In some cases, companies will hire an independent recruiter to help fill positions as needed. These recruiters are called third party recruiters.
Contingency recruiters are just that—recruiters that receive compensation only if their efforts result in a hire. Retained recruiters work mostly for large companies that need to fill executive level positions. These professionals work for the company whenever a high-level position needs to be filled.
Recruiters use a number of techniques to recruit talent. They visit college campuses, attend job fairs, search databases, browse professional networking websites, and they even check social networking websites. They also check company websites in hopes that they’ll come across a bio that matches what they’re looking for and the employee is interested in making a change.
Most recruiters do their best to match the skills to the job, but sometimes, they just miss the boat. If a recruiter contacts you, there are a number of important questions to ask to avoid wasting your time—and theirs. If a recruiter contacts you and asks you to send a resume, ask:
According to Employment Digest:
If a recruiter ever contacts you and asks for a resume before knowing anything about your professional background, don’t send it. Your resume could land in places where you don’t want it to be. A professional recruiter, though he is working for the client company, not you, will want to ensure that you are a “good” candidate.
He will ask questions like:
- -What are you seeking in a new employer that you don’t currently have available where you are presently working?
- -Would you consider relocation for the right job, and if so, where?
- -If you say you would consider relocation, they should also ask about your family situation.
- -Does your spouse work?
- -Do you have children still in school? This will help them determine whether you (and your family) will be happy, and stay with the job, if moving is necessary.
A professional recruiter will want to know that she has not only done a good job for the client, but that she also kept your best interests in mind as well.
If you follow these steps, you could very well wind up with a position you’ll be happy with, without the frustration of a wild goose chase.
Hiring a Recruiter on Your Own
Hiring a recruiter on your own can be the difference between wasting precious time for months on end and finding a job in a reasonable amount of time. Recruiting agencies employ thousands of recruiters to help you with your job search and the benefits of taking advantage of their services are beyond impressive. For starters, a recruiter has exposure to the hidden job market and specific industries, and compensation negotiation skills. Recruiters can also help you save time and money by searching for the best possible matches, screening them, and setting up interviews. A recruiter can also help you prepare for a job interview.
Recruiters are free for the job seeker. The hiring company pays as agreed upon fee for the recruiters service, so you really have nothing to lose! To find a recruiting service ask friends, family, and co-workers for referrals first. A second option is an online directory. No matter which option you use, always make sure the agency has a good rating with the Better Business Bureau.
