As I mentioned I got a lot of leads through recruiters in my job search, though the results from recruiters are often erratic – much more the fault of the economy I'd say, as most recruiters and temp places I've worked with are very good. Considering the economic chaos of the last two recessions, they have to be.
The problem is that recruiters, as I noted earlier, are erratic in their results. Unless you're in demand and know top-of-the-line recruiters, you just can't get predictable results from them because recruiters are affected by fickle economic winds, perhaps even more than you are. Recruiters who can consistently find good leads for you and others (and there are those that can) are ones you want to hold onto and make long-term relationships with. In their highly competitive world, most who last long term are good indeed.
That being said, there is a definite place for recruiters in your job search because they have access to people, information, and even insights most people lack. They also will do the legwork for you if you've got a good relationship, which saves you that valuable commodity of time. I tend to view recruiters as the "Second line of offense" in a job search, after using your network to find work, and equal to the importance of targeting the right companies and industries specifically.
So here's my advice on working with recruiters:
- Get as many recruiters on your side as soon as possible. Use the phone book, web search, etc.
- When you search job sites you'll find many positions going through a recruiter – before you apply, go to their website – you may find out more about them, and you may find other positions.
- Do what you can to get an interview, even if its general. This is your chance to impress a recruiter – and to check them out.
- Look for specialty recruiters that may meet your specific needs.
- Do research recruiters if you have any suspicions – every industry has its bad eggs.
- Some recruiters will provide you advice on your resume and cover letter – after all getting you a job is in their best interest. Take that advice.
- If you encounter a good recruiter, even if you don't get a position through them, cultivate the relationship. Make meeting and networking recruiters part of your network building. As noted before I reguarly email recruiters I've worked with (about every 3 months), and pass along people I know looking for work.
- Keep in mind what you can do for recruiters – if you get a good placement from one, then they may be worth recommending not just to potential employees, but those looking to fill positions. There's a few companies I've worked with that impressed me so much I reguarly reccomend them to those I know seeking employers.
- Recruiters are also excellent sources of market information and you can learn a lot from them.
The networking part is very important – because a good recruiter relationship can move a recruiter from a second line of offense to the first, and they'll often find things for you before you start looking (or have to look). Also, on a personal level, I can say a lot of recruiters I've met are fascinating people with fascinating pasts, you might just make an interesting new friend.
Finally you can learn a lot. Recruiters get very unique insights into companies, the economy, and employment.
-Steve