On the outside a job search may seem like a pretty straightforward process – but while you may be confident in your ability to put together a strong CV and impress during an interview, there a number of other factors that come into play, such a high standard of competition for a role.
As time goes on you may find yourself exploring a variety of avenues in order to find a position and will more than likely come across a recruiter of some kind.
A relationship with a recruiter can be very different from the one you would have with a prospective employer, but if you get it right then they could be the perfect partner to help you find a job suited to your abilities and qualifications.
Recruiters will often have the potential to widen your search and will have access to contacts and companies that you simply do not. However, there are things you need to keep in mind in order to ensure your relationship is beneficial to you.
Different from an employer
Whilst talking to a potential employer you will likely have your guard up, in order to make sure that you are saying the right things. However, with a recruiter it is important to be as open and honest as possible about where you see yourself and where you want to be, otherwise, how are they supposed to know?
The more information a recruiter has, the more they can help ensure you are right for the position so you do not end up applying for roles that you are simply not qualified for. However, it is important to bear in mind that the recruiter works for their client, not you, so if you want to impress the company you are applying to, you have to impress the recruitment agency.
Use their expertise
What you should not forget is that a top recruiter will be dealing with hundreds of CV’s, each with different skill sets and experience levels, so they can be extremely useful when it comes to improving your applications.
Do not be shy to ask them for their opinion when it comes to the jobs you are applying for, as throughout their time as a recruiter they will have probably seen a lot of the same mistakes. Good recruiters will also have a sound knowledge of the sector they are working in and may be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to making CV and cover letter adjustments or your next move.
If you’re a graduate looking to kick start your career, have a chat with Discovery Graduates and see how they can help get you started
