How to Make Recruiters Work for You

By

Harry Urschel

Crossroads Career Workshop

Conclusion…

“You can only get what you want if you help enough other people get what they want.”

Zig Ziglar

The more a recruiter views you as someone that will make them look good and as someone they can count on…

The more opportunities they will bring to you.

Two Types of Recruiters• Corporate Recruiter

Works for a company filling internal positions

• Recruiting Firm / Agency RecruiterWorks on positions for multiple companies at a timeto fill positions for a fee (Contingency or Retained)

(Recruiters are not Career Counselors)

Understand Their Task

• Corporate Recruiter– Usually has 10 to 30 positions they’re trying to fill for various

managers within the organization

– Often relies on software to sort through candidates by keywords

– Prioritizes positions based on urgency of the hiring manager

– Doesn’t have time to return every phone call and/or email

– Is most responsive if they can see a great fit for a position

– Can’t respond if they don’t get response from the hiring manager

Understand Their Task

• Recruiting Firm / Agency Recruiter– Working on positions from multiple client companies

– Gets paid from their client company to find the best candidate• Loses credibility if they submit poorly qualified candidates

– Fee is a % of offer – The more you make the more they make

– More willing to work with candidates that they can trust

– Can’t respond if they don’t get feedback from their client

– Prioritizes by client’s sense of urgency

What to Expect from a Recruiter

• Exposure to opportunities not otherwise found through ads or networking

• Market information (Hot jobs, Salaries, etc.)

• Preparation for interviews they set up

• Updates (Once you’re submitted for a position)

What the Recruiter Expects from You

• Be Professional

• Be Accessible

• Be Flexible

• Know what you want

• Give them all the relevant information

• Reliable information on what you will take

• Be reliable to do what you agree to

How to Present Yourself

• Be cheerful!

• Show confidence, but be humble– Don’t tell them you’re the “perfect” candidate– Don’t be pushy / cocky / irate

• Be Pleasantly Persistent!

• Answer questions freely

• Be respectful of their time– Don’t ramble– Be concise & to the point

Working withCorporate Recruiters

• Call only in regard to specific positions– Have a Requisition or Posting number / ID if applicable– Use the job title they used / know the key requirements

• Ask where they are in the process– Have they just started looking or do they have multiple people

already interviewing

• Give relevant reasons you’re a fit– Be concise– Refer to their requirements in giving your qualifications

• Ask for next steps

Working withAgency Recruiters

• Find recruiters with a focus in your field– Work with more than one but no more than 4 or 5

• Don’t stick them with surprises!– Share anything that may come out in an interview process– Don’t tell them one salary requirement and the client another

• Don’t share things you wouldn’t tell their client (except $)

• Ask them not to share your resume with anyone without your express permission

Working withAny Recruiter

• Ask for help to prepare for an interview with the hiring manager.– “I know you want to get this position filled, so what can you tell

me about what the manager is looking for in an ideal candidate?”

• Show interest and enthusiasm

• Be professional and respect their role– They are your passport to getting considered for a position

• Make their life easier…

Make Their Life Easier

• They want to get positions filled– Give them reasons by their criteria that you are the right person

• They want to build personal credibility through the candidates they present– Be professional, articulate, and upbeat

• They need to react quickly when a hiring manager is interested– Make yourself accessible (Cell Phone, e-Mail), and be flexible

– Respond to messages ASAP

• Share leads or market information

Follow-up Regularly

• Be Pleasantly Persistent!– Keep yourself in the forefront of their mind by checking in

regularly (Once a week at first; once every couple of weeks later)

– Alternate phone calls & e-mails• Brief conversations, voicemails, or e-mails to let them know you’re still there

– Always be upbeat & positive

– Call with leads or market information for them

– Let them know of activity you have going

Conclusion…

“You can only get what you want if you help enough other people get what they want.”

Zig Ziglar

The more a recruiter views you as someone that will make them look good and as someone they can count on…

The more opportunities they will bring to you.