Recruitment Agents. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, if you’re currently in the job search, the chances are you are currently dealing with one of them. Don’t they have an inordinate amount of influence on the success or failure of your job search? It would probably be an idea to know a little bit about their thought process and the types of behaviour. Here are five easy to follow tips on how to rise to the top of a recruiters shortlist
1. Be available
When your phone rings, answer it. In a hyper competitive labour market, you will lose opportunities by being difficult to contact. Its understandable you can’t always talk at work and its difficult when your boss is sitting on the desk right behind you. Nevertheless that means little to recruiter trying to build a pipeline. From his point of view, he’s got a list of 30 people to call – he needs only 5 to be able to say he’s got a shortlist. You don’t answer and he’s simply going to go, ‘next’. Don’t let it get that way – if you’re serious about job hunting, answering your phone is worth the risk and has to be your number one priority.
2. Be honest
This is fighting fire with water. Yes, recruiters do have a reputation for being ‘economical with the truth’, but you know what? So does anyone who is trying to sell you something. That doesn’t mean that adopting their ways is necessarily in your best interests. Indeed, sometimes, the recruiter simply needs answers to closed questions (are you looking for a job y/n? would you relocate for the right opportunity y/n? are you interested in working in this or that industry y/n?). Being disengenuous to these questions will simply generate options that are not right for you. Recognise that certain questions are not there to test you – they are there to qualify your suitability for the post he has in mind. More importantly, an honest answer will save your most valuable resource in the job search – your time.
3. Know what you want
There is nothing more irritating to a recruiter than a candidate whose prepared to be an everyman. Agents recruit to a spec – a set of instructions from a client detailing the targeted candidates background, skillset and personality. Candidate qualification is often no more than a box ticking exercise. The ‘I’ll do anything/everything’ approach smacks of desperation and ticks none of those boxes and will lead straight to the ‘delete’ pile. Be clear on who you are, what you can do and what you want to do – that’s all.
4. Do as you say
If you agree on a topic or make an arrangement, then stick to it. This may be considered a minimum professional responsibility in any circumstance, but it is especially important when your career prospects are on the line. If you agree to be available for a phone call, make sure you are. If you agree to meet the agent, be there 15 minutes beforehand. And if you agree to interview with a client, please make sure you go!
5. Get that job
Goes without saying, but the best way to be considered a top candidate by a recruiter is if you have successfully secured a job through that agent before. You’ve just earned him some commission and he has just secured the job for you – quid pro quo. Once this relationship is established you have a great chance to develop a real professional relationship of mutual benefit; he knows you’re quality goods and you know he can secure you gigs – don’t let that relationship slide, even if you are not planning on looking for work anytime soon.
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