Maximizing Your Recruiter Relationship

If you’re searching for a job, you know it can be a full-time job in itself. It can be exhausting, depressing and challenging, and if you’ve been at it for awhile, you’re probably thinking “There’s got to be a better way.”

There is! Have you ever thought about partnering with a recruiter to help you elevate your career, land an exciting new opportunity and achieve your personal and professional goals?

Maybe you’ve never considered it. Maybe you have, but you’ve heard negative stories about recruiters. What’s important to remember is that you’ll only get something out of the relationship if you put something into it.

If you decide to work with a recruiter, here are three tips to help you maximize your experience:

1. Be honest. Whether you’re discussing your background, skills or goals, be completely honest with your recruiter. If you embellish your experience or skills, it will catch up with you – and may even set your career back a few steps. When you’re honest with your recruiter, he or she can both “sell” your greatest strengths and assets to potential employers, as well as provide opportunities to enhance your skills through temporary assignments or online skills testing and training.

2. Be an active participant. Yes, your recruiter is there to help find the best match between your background and skills, and an available career opportunity. But that doesn’t mean you should sit back and do nothing. Be an active participant in your recruiter relationship. Check in weekly to let your recruiter know of any updates in your situation, contact your recruiter after any interviews, and don’t be afraid to continue searching for career opportunities.

3. Be patient. Your recruiter may very well have the perfect opportunity for you, right off the bat. But the right opportunity may take awhile. Your recruiter is searching for the best match between your specific skills and background, and the needs of an organization. If you’re looking for a specific opportunity within an industry, organization or area of expertise, the process may take even longer.

At Triumph, we pride ourselves on creating and maintaining strong relationships with both our candidates and our clients. When you work with us, we will work for you—and hope that the relationship will last throughout your professional life. Call or contact us any time you’d like to find out what we can do for you!