Dealing with Recruiters: Reliable or Rogue?
Recruiters are everywhere and work in many different ways, from tracking you down on LinkedIn to helping you find that perfect fit position via an agency you’ve contacted. While some recruiters can be relied upon to do their utmost to find a job that suits you in a company you’ll love (like us!) others work to KPI’s, putting forward poorly-suited candidates in an attempt to meet targets.
If you’ve set your LinkedIn availability to ‘open’, contacted a recruitment agency or applied for a position via an agency, expect calls and emails as you pop up on recruiters’ radars.
If you’re actively job hunting, it’s best to accept the calls and reply to the emails – you never know when or where a career opportunity might arise. Set aside time to focus on your search and make it easier (and therefore more likely) for a recruiter to place you; that means updating your CV, polishing your portfolio and researching the company in question; despite the attention of a recruiter, you still need to stand out from the crowd.
What makes a good recruitment consultant?
In a nutshell, expert recruiters know their industry inside out, know the job and the company and offer you the guidance and advice you need to succeed in a role that they’re confident is right for you. But it can be easy to bluff, so what’s a tell-tale sign of a good recruiter?
- Above all, a good recruiter will want to get to know you. They’ll ask about you background and your skills; how else can they find a job that will suit you?
- Good recruiters don’t just send any old job spec that lands on their desk your way; they take time to match candidates with companies where they will work well together.
- Investing time to prepare you for an upcoming interview is proof a recruiter is on your side; if they want you to do well, they can give you the tools to succeed.
Recruitment red flags
That’s the good recruiters sorted, but there are a few red flags to look out for, too. Recruiters simply looking to fill positions tend to ask for your current salary and/or notice period first and show little interest in other (more important) information, like your interests, values, aspirations and ambitions… we could go on. These recruiters are usually matching salaries with client expectations, rather than thinking long-term about company culture and career development.
And another thing…
As we’ve said, some recruiters dive in asking for salary expectations, working hours and preferred job titles before the interview. This information will then be sent to the hiring manager before the interview – that is, before you’ve had a chance to show off your skills, charm and charisma in person.
A good recruiter won’t pressure you to give up this information; for the right fit, both companies and candidates are happy to be flexible – and that should be the ultimate aim of any good recruitment agency.
To find out more about our opportunities in the digital and creative industries (and tech, and others!) in London and the South East, and to only deal with reputable recruiters from here on out, get in touch with us today.