What to Expect When Working With a Recruiter

If you’re used to going solo when looking for a job, you may not have worked with a recruiter before. But it’s definitely worth trying as another avenue to get your foot in the door.

And if a recruiter reaches out to you, that’s a good thing – it shows you have the right skillset or experience for a role they’re trying to fill, so there’s already interest in you.

However, working with a recruiter can be quite different to managing the job-seeking process on your own – so here’s what you can expect from the process.

Although you might have some idea of what’s happening your industry and the jobs that are out there, the longer you’re in the job-seeking trenches, it easier it is to become a little jaded. That’s where a recruiter can come in handy, with lots of knowledge and motivation.

A good recruiter in your industry will know how roles might be changing, be able to decipher any ‘wacky’ job titles, fill you in on new skills that are required (that you didn’t know about), and chat you through what kind of salary range is realistic.

When you work with a recruiter, you still have to be active in the process. You need to be professional and respect the recruiter’s time and efforts. But you’re no longer going it alone. You now have a supportive person in your back pocket who’s actively helping you get hired.

A good recruiter is also going to play devil’s advocate – managing your expectations and motives. They may drop a truth bomb or two about the state of your resume, or be honest about what you’ll need to do appearance-wise to when you front up to the interview. Take it all on board as part of the process – as in this situation, they probably do know better than you what works.

It’s thought that 75-80 percent of large companies in Australia use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes and streamline the hiring process. For candidates, that might mean up to 50 percent of applications are binned before a human ever reads a cover letter or resume. Eeek.

Yes, it’s a scary statistic for someone in the job-hunting trenches – but if you’re working directly with a recruiter or they’ve approached you, you’ve already bypassed the system, and it’s much more likely your resume will be seen by a hiring manager.

As the candidate, you may be used to keeping your cards close to your chest until interview stage, but working with a recruiter, they will need to know your salary expectations, the skills you have and the experience you bring to the table so they can advise you on what’s realistic.

And don’t forget that while the recruiter is working for the company, they’re also the middle person between you and the hiring manager and they want to represent you and your skillset honestly. If they suggest a role you’re not a good fit for, say so – it saves time and the recruiter’s reputation. Plus, the feedback you give them enables them to tailor their job search for you.

Depending on the industry you’re in, working with a recruiter can up the ante in what you could achieve on your own when looking for a new job. They can have a lot of power in selling you to a company, saving you heaps of time – and getting your resume in front of the right people.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to develop relationships with a few key recruiters in your space – you never know if one of them might be able to steer you into your dream job.

 Get in touch with one of our friendly Frontline consultants to discuss your opportunities. For even more helpful advice, check out our latest blog posts.