You’ve lost that loving feeling at work, your bank account needs a boost or you just love change. Whatever your reasons are for looking for a new opportunity, one of the fastest ways to land a new position is to work with a recruiter. You come to meet with your counselor, as they are sometimes called, and you feel a connection. You share things about your hopes, your dreams, past disappointments and soon you have the feeling that you’re talking to your therapist. While there are similarities, here are six ways to approach your recruiter relationship:
When your recruiter gives you advice, assume it’s to put you in the best position when presenting you to clients
I often regret turning down the opportunity to get my doctoral degree in psychology. I just wasn’t sure that I could listen to someone talk about issues they wanted help with and not offer specific advice. With Recruiting however, I get to tell people what I think they should do to put themselves in the best position to get the job they want. Whether it’s related to their resume, advice on answering commonly flubbed questions or letting them know not to chew gum during the interview (yes there are still some of you out there), it’s all with the best intentions.
Be comfortable with being open
It may be awkward divulging the details of your professional past to a stranger. But if you work with a recruiter, being open is the fastest way to get what you want and avoid the things you don’t. Be comfortable talking about things like salary, the reasons you left past positions and difficult situations you’ve been involved in at work. These things are likely to come up in interviews. You should also open up about your true hopes regarding both short and long-term career goals. Let your personality shine so that your next job is not only a skill match, but also a culture fit.
Follow up once a week
Weekly visits with a therapist are usually the norm and the same goes for how often you should be checking in with your recruiter. You’ll want to give your recruiter a solid and thorough update of what’s going on in your job search. Keep your recruiter informed of your progress and any changes to help them manage their search more effectively. Discuss interviews you’ve been on and your thoughts on the various organizations you’ve met with to further expand their understanding of what you want.
Let your recruiter know you appreciate their help
Therapists and recruiters alike love knowing they’ve had a profound impact on someone’s life. You can’t do either job, at least not well, if this isn’t a fundamental part of your core. A thank you note once you’re placed is always appreciated. I know because I see them sitting on every recruiter’s desk in our office, mine included! Even if we’re not the ones who had the pleasure of placing you, a note recognizing our hard work will keep the relationship strong.
Go back to your recruiter when you start another job search
Once you’ve found a great recruiter, don’t delete them from your contact list. Just like a therapist, the door is always open in case you find yourself on the lookout for new opportunities. Keep their information on hand for moments when you may need a tune-up.
Refer friends and colleagues to your recruiter
In any business, a referral is the highest form of flattery. Though you may feel the need to keep your therapist to yourself, share your recruiter with friends. It’s a compliment to both parties whenever you make a connection, so pay it forward and make the introduction.
