The best part of working with a third-party recruiter is that you both have the same goal: finding you a job with a great employer that fits your skills, culture, and background. A good recruiter can help you: – Keep your search confidential instead of sending your resume out into the void. – Similarly, recruiters are 

a direct conduit to the employer for your application, complete with recommendation and references. – Tell you about unposted opportunities (as you’ve heard from Mac, up to 80% of roles are never put on job boards). – Provide insight into where you stand compared to other candidates interviewing for a position.

– Differentiate opportunities (and give you the unposted details on a role). – Offer nuanced, current market insights on things like salary ranges for different roles. – Provide you with honest feedback on your expectations. – Review resumes, prep for interviews, and offer salary and benefits negotiation advice.

– Tap into a huge network of employers. – Give ongoing job advice and support – many recruiters have worked with the same candidates for years and have them in mind when the perfect opportunity opens up. And, if you meet with a recruiter and they tell you they aren’t the best resource for what you’re looking for right now, they’ll 

Good recruiters will be honest and communicative with you, but it helps to know their mindset when you reach out or meet with them.  Here are some facts to help you understand a recruiter’s mindset: – They must meet their client expectations first and foremost (that’s the hiring organization). They can advocate for you, 

but are not only representing you. – Recruiters are not career coaches. Working with a recruiter should always be free for the candidate, but keep in mind that the employer is paying the bill. If you want a career coach, there are some amazing coaches who have the tools and training to be a huge benefit to your search. As expected, these personalized 

coaching services do come at a cost to you. – Although they might like you and advocate for you, recruiters are also not decision makers on who to move forward in the interview process. They are, however, usually the ones to pass on the good or bad news. – It’s not personal when they tell you they can’t be a good resource. They don’t want to waste your time or set false 

expectations. Since the recruiter is tasked with delivering 110% of the client’s expectations on any particular job placement, candidates should expect to be moved forward or selected only when they are truly the most competitive candidate for the position. – Recruiters are typically working on a limited number of positions at any given time. 

That means, if you are a Marketing Coordinator and they aren’t working on a Marketing Coordinator role, it could be a while before you hear from them. It doesn’t mean you aren’t a good candidate! It simply means that they are working strategically on other positions at the time. – Recruiters also focus their energy on the roles they are most likely to fill well and

Working with a recruiter can be a great resource in your search. But to make sure you’re not wasting your time, you should do your homework on the agency and recruiter you’re considering.  Most recruiters specialize across geographical locations, job titles, and industries. Look for those organizations who work with companies that 

appeal to you and post the types of positions that fit your skills or interests. Look at their track record of success. Speak with trusted friends and professional connections about their experiences with staffing firms. Online reviews can be revealing as well. Keep in mind that reviews typically span both ends of the spectrum. They either loved the agency or a 

specific recruiter because they got a great job or they were upset by a poor experience (and/or they had unrealistic expectations). In general, because of the fees that go into using their service, recruiters are expected to identify job candidates who check every box the client is looking for. So recruiters are great for folks on a clear 

– Don’t have much experience – Have a spotty work history – Don’t have every “must have” the role they apply to requires – Looking for roles in industries or fields the recruiter doesn’t work in. Be critical in evaluating your own background and experiences. You might have better luck applying on your own – or networking your way

In general, job seekers can start working with a recruiter one of three ways: Apply for a job on a recruiting agency’s website If you’re a fit, a recruiter will contact you to start the process. If you’re not right for that job, the recruiter may not contact you right away, but a good agency will hold your resume on file for future opportunities.

Reach out to meet with a recruiter Most agencies will have an intake process on their website for you to share your resume, job search goals, and areas of interest. You can also reach out to a recruiter who recruits for your industry via LinkedIn, or even Twitter. If your skills are in line with the types of roles they recruit for, a recruiter will contact you to set up an 

interview and begin recommending roles for you. Get introduced to a recruiter Sometimes a professional contact will recommend a specific recruiter to you during your job search, and make an introduction that way. Just like most things in the career space, recruiters trust people they know, and will be more likely to meet with you if you