HOW TO USE A RECRUITER

During this Internet era with massive job posting boards and thousands of online recruitment sites, the idea of working with a recruiter may seem unnecessary. Nothing could be further from the truth. Take a look at these facts:

• Headhunters / recruiters are involved in about half of senior-level job changes, according to a study conducted by the International Association of Corporate and Professional Recruitment.
• Recruiters provide no-cost advantages such as career guidance and the ability to hone interview techniques and polish a resume.
• Prospects using the services of a recruitment firm are better prepared for job interviews and have the inside scoop about the company, as well as the skills and intangible factors that the hiring manager desires in a candidate.
• Recruiters have access to jobs not advertised or posted on the Internet.

WHAT A RECRUITER DOES FOR YOU

Focuses the Scope of a Job Search
Using a recruiter can expand or narrow the scope of your job search. You now have access to new opportunities. Many companies hire recruitment firms because they don't have the resources to conduct searches themselves and prefer the professionalism and expertise recruiters bring to the process. The employer devotes time to interviewing only the most qualified candidates. In addition, some companies don't advertise or post jobs on the Internet because they don't want to sort through a flood of resumes. Finally, recruiters also handle confidential searches. At the same time, the scope of your process narrows by eliminating unsuitable jobs that waste your time because they don't match your qualifications or demands.

Interview Preparation
You'll learn who will conduct the interview, as well as gain insight into personalities, topics to avoid and what components of your experience to play up. Anyone can obtain information about the company on the Internet, but the headhunter has details about why a position is being created, how a department has been impacted by recent growth or what happened to the person who formerly occupied the job. Ask your recruiter what experience and leadership skills the employer seeks. You go into the interview prepared with information you can't obtain elsewhere.

Enhances Candidate's Skills
Once they've identified a qualified candidate, good recruiters coach them throughout the job search process, often starting with the resume. It may require an overhaul to better position a candidate, or simply polish to highlight expertise for a particular job. In addition, many will role-play or conduct trial interviews with prospects. This enables you to safely practice for the meeting with someone who has insight into what is actually wanted by the hiring authority. You also can determine how to finesse difficult questions.

Handles the Compensation Conversation
Recruiters eliminate the need to negotiate salary with employers. If the topic comes up, you simply explain that the headhunter will handle that aspect of the process. That allows all interactions with company representatives to focus on you and the skills you bring to the table. It's important to note that while the employer pays the recruiter a fee, the recruiter negotiates on YOUR behalf during salary discussions. Because fees are often based on a percentage of the salary package, it is in the recruitment firm's interest to make sure you obtain what you deserve. In to