As we wrap up this year, we start to contemplate next year with excitement and expectations. Consider if you are open to making a move, in one direction or another, do you even want to use the services of a recruiter? If so, what are the best methods to working with a recruiter? Today’s blog is going to explore this very important question.
The Simple Answer
As for working with a recruiter, the answer should be yes. It does not cost you, the candidate, anything whatsoever. Most recruiters, if not all, never charge their candidates for traditional recruiting services. If a recruiter does indeed want to charge you personally and he or she is not providing additional services such as resume writing or personal coaching, don’t walk away – RUN! Assuming you are working with a stand-up recruiter, one that is respected and well-known in your field, look at the second question: how best to work with one?
What You Get When Working With A Recruiter…From A Recruiter
What are the best ways working with a recruiter? The immediate response that comes to my mind is to be totally honest with them. Share your innermost thoughts as to why you want to make a move. The more your recruiter knows of your wishes, the more they can be helpful in accomplishing your goals. Next (and very important) is to really listen to the recruiter. They actually may know more about your business than you expect. A perfect example is that I am working with a candidate, and upon completing my full analysis something did not seem correct when it came to total revenue. The numbers were off. Either his salary was incorrect or the dollars brought in were off. I picked up on this based on my years of asking and evaluating candidates originating revenue inquiries. I asked the candidate to take the weekend and really review our conversation and to create a plan. They did and they found out that while writing their business plan the revenue they reported was incorrect. This was a welcomed relief to both the candidate and to myself. With this new information, we were immediately able to set an interview for them.
Honesty Is Key
A helpful piece of advice when working with a recruiter is when being initially interviewed by a recruiter, answer all the questions forthright. What you may see as just an answer to a question could in reality be the missing piece to exactly what you need to share for getting hired. Thus, new information properly presented and shared with the hiring manager actually can be a proponent of you being hired. Another example comes to my mind. I was asked to help a candidate but one that was out of my field, he was on the equity side and we work on the debt side. However, I wanted to offer any assistance, so I listened to his background and he shared that he did a stint in the military. I shared that today Veterans are extremely well received and he should create a marketing plan targeting Veteran-owned firms sharing his equity structured finance background as well as being a Veteran. The combination will be in demand, of which he politely thanked me for making that suggestion.
Timeliness
When working with a recruiter, provide as much documentation in a timely manner as requested. It’s not the importance of getting the analysis done; it’s you showing that you want to totally work with the recruiter. If we have to wait for paperwork to be sent in and it does not come in timely, it makes us as recruiters truly wonder about your motivation. Providing information serves two purposes. First, we get the data to help you analyze and put your best foot forward with our clients. Second, it shows us that we should clear our calendars and work with you in a timely manner, which is what you as the candidate deserve and should receive from your recruiting relationship.
Conclusion
You don’t need a resume to chat with us! If you would like to discuss your options, please reach out for a confidential conversation at 760-477-1284 or email at [email protected]. He can also be reached on LinkedIn. Harlan publishes a blog every Thursday here. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here, which is a compilation of our weekly blogs, so you never miss one. We have also been mentioned in Forbes, click HERE to read for yourself.
About Harlan Friedman, JD & Founding Member, H. Friedman Search LLC. Harlan is a thirty-year veteran Public Finance Banker turned recruiter who specializes in the placement of all levels Public Finance Bankers, Healthcare Bankers, Municipal Advisors, Compliance Officers, Issuers, and Bond Counsels.