Searching for a new job can be a lonely process. With the right recruiter in your corner, and by building a productive relationship with them, you can make a big difference in your search results. 

The hiring process contains a large cast of characters. You, as a job seeker, our clients, the employers along with recruiters play important roles. A good recruiter can be your guide, coach, and main point of contact with potential employers.  

Benefits of working with a specialist agency: 

You can extend your reach to organisations that you have no connections with. Your name can get before people you might not otherwise. 

They can coach you to get ready for the first interview with the organisation. They will know what each organisation is looking for and steer you as to exactly how their recruitment process will run and the answers you should prepare. Because they build relationships with their clients they can give you inside info on who is on the team, and the parts of your CV that will be most in demand helping you to knock it out of the park in the interview. 

They can give you inside information on the culture of the organisation and how the role came about. Asking about this can help you decide whether this role is worth pursuing further – or whether it should be avoided at all costs. 

A great recruiter works in genuine partnership with their client organisation, and so is able to challenge biases the company thinks they need and put forward people with new perspectives and skills in order to be able to fulfill their client’s vision and goals. 

They can be good at telling you the bigger picture for the job market for your function, seniority, and location including where the growth is coming from. They can give you feedback on the salary range you can expect and tell you which gaps to close to maximise your desirability to other employers.  

Reach out 

Recruiters exist to help move talented professionals into a company’s workforce. You shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to them — even if you know the company isn’t hiring or doesn’t have a position for you at the moment. 

You should also be networking with other professionals — whether they are recruiters or not. As we’ve discussed before, networking is a foundational element of any job search. Networking is also something that can be done virtually through emails or video calls.  

Use LinkedIn to see if any of your connections can make a contact with a hiring manager inside the company on your behalf. 

Get ready 

In addition to researching where you want to work and activating your professional network, it’s important to set aside time to get your various materials ready and to prepare for job interviews. 

At Conspicuous we highly recommend you make sure that the experience listed on your resume aligns with your LinkedIn profile, for example. On your resume, you should be specific with your professional summary. Don’t forget to tout your accomplishments, your resume is your sales tool. 

You may have phone or video interviews. You can prepare for those interviews by practicing with friends over video chats using, for example, MS teams. 

If you are still struggling with your materials and interviewing techniques, you may also want to consider expert help.  

Don’t give up and look for feedback 

It is important to keep a positive attitude and stick with your search. 

Many employers will remember those specific candidates who were able to be positive and upbeat. 

Recruiters can often offer constructive feedback from the employer should you not be successful in order to help when the next opportunity arises.