Are you a job seeker who views a recruiter as an obstacle to get around in order to get in front of the hiring manager? Do you find yourself telling the recruiter what you believe she wants to hear, regardless of your interests and desires? Rather than viewing a recruiter as an obstacle, I’m going to share with you several reasons why you should view a recruiter as more of an ally who can help you get in front of the hiring manager AND land the job.
Developed Relationship with the Hiring Manager
A good recruiter has developed a relationship with the hiring manager. The recruiter knows the manager’s hot buttons and desires beyond the job description.
Technically, a recruiter is working for the hiring manager. However, the benefit of working with a recruiter to a qualified candidate is that the recruiter is able to share insight on the hiring manager’s needs and requirements which may not necessarily be ascertainable from a posted job description.
Understanding of the Interview Process
The experienced recruiter will have discussed with the hiring manager the number of steps in the interview process and who will be involved in the interviews. As a job seeker, this is beneficial information to know ahead of time in order to prepare.
Prior to interviews, a good recruiter should be able to provide you tips based on the hiring manager’s interview style in order for you to be fully prepared. After all, the recruiter has put her name on the line with each candidate presented to a client and the better your interview goes with the hiring manager, all the better for the recruiter’s reputation.
Influence Over the Process
A skilled recruiter has a level of influence over the interview process. With the recruiter’s knowledge of the hiring manager’s and job seeker’s situations, she can influence the process to move faster and in favor of both parties’ needs and desires.
Experience and Knowledge of the Process
With any experienced recruiter comes the knowledge and understanding of the interview and selection process. Your recruiter should know what could possibly kill the deal and will be able to offer you invaluable tips and suggestions throughout the interview process, helping you to differentiate yourself from other candidates.
Working with a recruiter does not have to be a painful process or an obstacle to quickly overcome. An experienced recruiter can provide you with information that will help you throughout the interview process, giving you more visibility to the hiring manager. Remember, when you receive and accept an offer while working with a recruiter, it’s a win-win situation for both you and your recruiter.
Of course, all of this is based on the fact that the recruiter you are working with is experienced and knowledgeable in the business.
Have you had good experiences with recruiters in the past? If so, what was most valuable to you throughout your relationship with the recruiter? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
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