How to Work with Recruiters to Get a Job
Episode 288 | Host: Emilie Aries | Guest: Jenny Foss
“Take radical accountability for your success. Weave reaching out to select recruiters into your own efforts. Getting extra people on board to help you get a foot in the door - absolutely do that.”
Thinking about working with recruiters during your job search, but aren’t quite sure how to start the process?
Recruiter-turned-career-expert, Jenny Foss, joined Emilie on the podcast to share her take on how to find and collaborate with recruiters to land your next job.
Here are some of Jenny’s best practices on incorporating recruiters into your job search strategy.
Define the types of recruiters available to job seekers.
Corporate In-House Recruiters: Work within an organization to recruit talent to fill open roles
Recruitment Agencies: External, third-party agencies outsourced by organizations to find, qualify, and recommend a talent for the organization
Temp Agencies: External, third-party agencies outsourced by organizations to find talent for specific project-based/temporary positions
Determine Which Type of Recruiter Is The Best Match For You
Recruiters aren’t the best strategy for those job seekers who are looking to pivot their career into something new since recruiters rely heavily on resumes and work experience to prove to the companies they serve that you’re the best option. It would be hard for a recruiter to convince the hiring company to give you a chance if you’re not qualified on paper.
But if you’re early in your career, a recruiter that specializes in early career or entry-level positions is a great option.
If you’re part of the gig economy or are looking at picking up a bridge job while you continue your job search, try contacting a temp agency or a project-based recruiter.
Start the Conversation with a Recruiter
When you’ve decided that working with a recruiter is something you’d like to do, remember these tips of what not to do:
Don't wait to be found by a recruiter. Take the initiative to reach out to recruiters directly.
Don't call / email every person with 'recruiter' in their job title - many recruiters specialize in specific industries.
Don't contact recruiters for a "favor.” A recruiter’s job isn’t about you, it’s about successfully filling the role for an organization with the right person.
Remember: "Great recruiter relationships can last a long time."
It’s not a bad idea to nurture your new working relationship with your recruiter just in case you find yourself in another job search down the road. To do that, when you’re getting started with a recruiter:
Ask them what the best way to communicate with is - Check in emails? Phone calls? In person?
If you're not a fit for a specific job they’re working on, recommend/refer someone to them.
Follow up - but don't pester them.
Don’t forget to keep your cool when jobs don’t work out to your favor. It's not about you.
“You don’t want to string along a recruiter knowing there’s not a chance you’d take the job.”
Looking for a more hands-on approach to your job search?
Check out HIRED, our job search accelerator or hop on a call with someone from the Bossed Up team to learn more about our job search resources.
