Using Job Recruiters – Part 2: The Upside

If all networking possibilities have been exhausted, then it is usually a good time to turn to a job recruiter. A good job search consultant should be able to help any qualified candidate find a good job fit. One must be enthusiastic when working with a recruiter. Although recruiters would like to place candidates, they will focus on candidates who keep in touch and are quick to follow-up.

Make sure there are no fees associated for the recruiter’s services. There are legitimate recruiters out there who do not charge the job seeker; they will be compensated by the employer. Also, have a clear career path in mind and find a recruiter that specializes in a specific field of work.

It would also be wise to pick just one recruiter. If more than one recruiter is being used, it is important to let them all know exactly who else is distributing the same resume. If this is not clear, two or more recruiters may be fighting over the commission rights from a candidate’s placement.

A high-quality recruiter will do more than simply mass distribute a resume. Recruiters have access to jobs that are not publicized. Often employers seek out recruiters to fill specific high-level, or even 100K+ salary positions. They are seeking only well-qualified individuals to fill these exclusive positions and it is easier to have a recruiter weed through resumes and candidates. This way the employer is presented with only the most experienced applicants.

Since recruiters have relationships and work directly with many employers, therefore increasing the exposure of potential employees. This can be an extremely beneficial situation for job seekers to be in since many employers do not provide direct contact information when applying for a position.

The recruiters’ connections will also prove valuable as they will be able to provide insider information. This will give applicants an advantage when polishing resumes and interviewing. Recruiters are also there to help with final job agreements. They are skilled in salary and benefits negotiations. Remember, the more you make, the more the recruiter makes!

Using Job Recruiters - Part One: The Downside

Job recruiter, also known as headhunter and job search consultant, is defined as someone who “can work on his/her own or through an agency and acts as an independent contact between their client companies and the candidates they recruit for a position.” The decision to use a professional job recruiter is a personal one, but here is some information about them to guide you in your search for the perfect job.

There are two types of recruiters: “retained recruiters” are secured by and work directly for employers and receive a salary for their work with or without placement results while “contingency recruiters” are independent from employers and are paid per referred candidate. There are also executive or niche recruiters, which also fall into one of the above categories, who usually focus on high-level positions that are rarely publicized.

Although there are many upsides to using a recruiter, there are some negative aspects as well. For instance, contingency recruiters are paid commission for each successfully placed candidate. Their commission is usually between 20 and 30 percent of a candidate’s starting salary. In these cases, candidates may get short-changed with a starting salary. Cost-conscious employers will be looking to reduce their recruitment fees by paying the headhunter a lower commission, which will, in turn, result in a lower starting salary.

Additionally, job recruiters often have many qualified candidates with whom they are working. In the effort to make money, they will concentrate on the best resumes first. Less qualified or poorly written resumes may end up at the bottom of a recruiter’s stack, which leaves a job seeker right back where he/she started before they employed a recruiter.

Since money and placement are motivating factors for recruiters, many of them pressure candidates into positions that are a less than perfect fit. If a candidate’s resume is spruced up to land a job, then that person may end up in a position for which he/she is not fully qualified. Frustration will ensue and it is all downhill from there. In order to avoid these mishaps, make sure an honest, ethical and trustworthy recruiter is employed.