The Importance of Sharing Your Career Goals with Your Recruiter

When you decide to work with a recruiter, you probably have one goal in mind—to obtain a rewarding direct hire or temporary position in your chosen field. But maybe you want to find something that will help you break into another field. Maybe you just need a job that will help you pay the bills.

Whatever your reason, your success in working with a recruiter depends on your relationship with him or her.  Your mutual goal should be a partnership with a shared mission: to find you the right position with the right company.

In order for you to reach that goal, here are five ways you can help to make it happen.

• Be flexible. Especially if you’re looking for make a career move, you probably have a dream job or ideal employer in mind. Goals and ideals are great, but make sure to be realistic and determine what elements of a job are absolute necessities and which are “wish list” items. Be sure to share these details with your recruiter, but remember to keep an open mind when exploring opportunities.

• Listen. Give value and weight to any advice your recruiter offers you about the types of opportunities that make sense for you in terms of career progression. If  you have a good recruiter, it should be like having a personal career agent in the employment marketplace.

• Share your experiences. When you first meet with your recruiter, share your career highs and lows, your successes as well as your pitfalls.  If there are gaps on your resume, explain them. Your recruiter will help you figure out how to address the less than positive aspects of your career history both on paper and during an interview.

• Be honest. We all like to think that any employer would be lucky to have us as an employee. Realistically, you’re well-suited and qualified for certain types of positions or particular work environments and not for others. Discuss with your recruiter what your capabilities and shortcomings are and come to an agreement on what will work for you.

• Stay in touch. This may sound extremely obvious, but make sure your recruiter always has your most current personal contact information, including all phone numbers and e-mail addresses. If you can’t be reached, you could miss out on a great opportunity!

Make the most out of your relationship with your recruiter and you’ll be rewarded with a challenging, fulfilling career opportunity. If you’re not sure how to start, give the team at Triumph a call. We’d be glad to explain how it all works!