So you are looking for a job.  Well, sooner or later someone is going to suggest you find a recruiter (sometimes called a head hunter, or a job placement agency).  It’s not a bad idea, but it’s not a panacea either.  If you are going to work with a recruiter, there are some things you should know.

1)    Recruiters do NOT work for you.  It’s NOT their job to find you a job.  Recruiters are paid by a company to find candidates. As such, you are part of their inventory.  Nothing more and nothing less. This may sound “cold”, but understanding that fact up front will save you heartache and time.  It will also help you work more effectively with recruiters.
2)    A recruiter will not pass your name along to a company if they don’t feel you are a perfect fit for the position.  If they pass along a candidate that is determined to be “unqualified” they risk their reputation with the hiring company.  If you feel you are a great fit, you need to work with your recruiter to understand the needs of the position and re-tool your resume to fit it exactly.  If you can’t, you should not force the issue.
3)    Remember that recruiters are people.  They have specific needs for accomplishing their goals so they can make a living. Recruiters are busy people.  They work long hours and are pulled in many directions. They may not get back to you as quick as you would like.  They may not be “tactful” in their responses to you. . . in fact many recruiters I know pride themselves on being “brutally honest.” As such, it’s in your best interest to develop a relationship with a recruiter.  Don’t try to “use” them in your job search.  Nobody likes to be “used.” If you don’t have thick skin, working with a recruiter may not be for you.
4)    Treat your recruiter as a networking partner. Nearly every recruiter I talk to tells me that they have trouble finding qualified candidates for the positions they are trying to fill.  They are overwhelmed with people who do not fit their needs, and this can cause them to become a bit cynical.  You can overcome this problem by proving to be a valuable networking resource to them. Since you are networking with other job seekers, you know who is out there looking and you know what their strengths and weaknesses are.  Help your recruiter discover hard to find candidates and they will remember you when they come across a job requisition that’s right for you!
5)    Remember, only about 10-12% of jobs are ever filled by a recruiter.  Working with a recruiter may be right for you, but don’t limit your job search to just one method.  If you decide to work with a recruiter, you should also be out searching for opportunities for yourself. Many opportunities will never cross the recruiter’s desk, so don’t put all of your eggs in that one basket.

Working with a recruiter can help accelerate your job search, but it isn’t right for everyone.  If you remember these 5 tips for working with a recruiter, your experience will be more productive and pleasant for all involved.

Join us tomorrow as we explore the question, “Should You Have A Video Resume?”  In the meantime, happy hunting!