There is nothing more valuable than a long-lasting relationship between an employment recruiter and a candidate. Yet, most of these interactions are fleeting and brief instead of solidly built on trust and mutual respect.
There are many ways to build a long-lasting relationship that can help you beyond your new job and throughout your work career. Taking the right steps means that when you do need assistance finding your next job, you will have a confidante that can support you.
Take a recruiters call
If you have been consistently applying to roles and reaching out to recruiters, you will inevitably receive a call at work from someone who wants to talk about your job search. Even if you are in the middle of a work day, make a concerted effort to answer any phone calls from an employment business.
The first thing to do once you answer the call is to let the employment recruiter know you are at work. They can ensure a quick discreet call, while providing you with job details or interview times. If you are not able to talk, get their name, number, and confirm when you will call back. This is also perfectly acceptable.
Do not convey any sort of annoyance. Avoid saying an aggressive “I can’t talk now”, and definitely don’t hang up on a recruiter. You don’t know why they are calling and doing so may cause you to miss out on your dream job. It is not very gracious nor respectful, and it is not the impression you want to leave someone with.
Be honest about your experience
Never lie to your recruiter. Be honest about what you did in previous roles and don’t embellish your level of expertise and industry knowledge. If you are unemployed, say so. There may be a number of contract to permanent roles that are open to you that you would not hear about if you weren’t immediately available.
If you have recently taken a new role but don’t like it, say so. Recruiters are open to working with you, no matter what your situation is. If you lie, you close more doors than you open.
Know that the truth will always come out, whether through reference checks, discrepancies between your CV and LinkedIn profile, or what you reveal about your key responsibilities in later conversations.
By being dishonest you are ruining a relationship that could provide you with endless new opportunities throughout your working career.
Be ready for a change
Think about why you really want to leave your job before you reach out to recruiters, or start a slew of confetti job applications. It could be something easily solvable between you and your employers, which when resolved, may result in continued permanent employment with your current company. Don’t waste anyone’s time – including your own.
If you are looking to get a job offer with the intent of using it to get a raise with your current organisation – don’t. This will not work in your favour and will create an incredibly bad impression with both your recruiter, your current company, and your prospective company. You never know who you may work with in the future!
Trust your recruiters
When an employment recruiter offers you advice and guidance – trust them. Don’t argue and antagonise your recruiters. They are doing everything they can to give you a competitive advantage for the roles you most desire. Remember: a key part of their job is to identify talent in order to matching clients and candidates so it’s in their best interest to help you succeed.
If a recruiter asks you to rework your CV for a specific role, it is because they know exactly what skills and experience the employers are looking for. They know more about the people who will be interviewing you, and thus can prepare you for what to expect. They also often have more information about the role than the advertised job description.
Don’t underestimate their insider information: recruiters have knowledge that you simply don’t have access to.
Keep in touch
Recruiters will happily update you on the progress of your job application and will absolutely stay in contact if a position they presented you for gets filled.
Make sure to ask what the process looks like for the recruiters you work with from beginning to end, as all recruiters work differently. Then clarify how you should follow up, as well as how often. Working together in an informed way helps build a solid connection for career success.
While it is fine for you to follow up, ‘stalking’ is a step too far. No one wants to be called twice a day for an update. It creates a sense of desperation instead of enthusiasm. It also tells recruiters you have no understanding nor appreciation for the other work they do during the day.
Thank them at the end of the process
Whether you were offered the position or not, make sure to thank your recruiters for their time. You would be surprised how few people recognise the work of an employment recruiter. A simple email, handwritten card, or even a phone call will make a great impression. Consider leaving them a LinkedIn recommendation if they did a stellar job. You can be sure your recruiter will tell everyone they work with about it – and they, in turn, may keep you in mind for future permanent vacancies.
By taking that little bit of extra time to express your gratitude, you will further cement your relationship, and create future goodwill.
Be open to staying in contact even after you land a job
You never know when you will need your recruiter’s help again. Stay in contact periodically even if you are happy in your role. A quick connect or a comment on one of their social media posts will suffice. This will help recruiters stay up to date on what you are doing in your role, and it will keep you ‘top of mind’.
Serve as a great resource
Another great way to cultivate a great recruiter relationship is by recommending top performing people to them. If you know a stellar candidate that is looking for a new position, recommend them to an employment business you have worked with, who you know can help them in their field of interest. Recruiters love having amazing candidates come to them. It is even better when one of their prior candidates does the recommending.
Should you one day assume a position where you make or influence hiring decisions, remember to internally refer to the employment business that helped you get there!
Final tips
There are many different types of recruiters. The key is finding one that is best suited to your industry and career needs. Build your relationships with expert consultants that can help you long-term. For the best results, be proactive about finding a reputable employment business to work with and start applying to jobs you love.
Our recruiters love helping qualified candidates move their career forward. Upload your resume, and search our job listings for roles that are relevant to your experience. Connect with one of us today!
