So you’ve never worked with a recruiter…

Being approached by a recruiter can be intimidating…especially if you’re not sure exactly what recruiters, or recruiting firms, do. 

How does it work?

Recruiting firms operate as a service to help fill the needs of clients (other companies). Companies might approach us, or we approach them, about filling a specific role, or set of roles. They’ll give us information about the role, salary range, and the kind of experience they’re looking for and we’ll look for candidates (job-seekers) that match this description.

What should I expect when I schedule with a recruiter?

As recruiters, our responsibility is to find a mutual match between candidates and clients. Recruiters may ask you a range of questions to get a better understanding of your position in the job market, including: motivation to leave your current company, scope of your current and previous roles, salary and hybrid expectations for your next role, etc. When you’ve scheduled with a recruiter, it’s a great idea to map out some of these points to be prepared to answer these questions as well as have your resume revised so we can look at it in advance.

Some of these questions may seem a little bit off-putting, especially if you haven’t worked with a recruiter before. We pride ourselves on knowing our candidates well and by asking these questions, we’re able to paint the best picture possible to potential employers. Conversely, by discussing these points with a recruiter, we’re able to better understand what kind of role you’re looking for and can advocate for you and find the best employee-employer match possible.

How long does the process take? And what will it look like?

Talk about a trick question! Since we are working with numerous clients, the hiring timeline varies from job to job, so there’s no concrete answer. We do our best to ensure a seamless process by communicating with both candidates and the hiring team every step of the way. This includes discussing the process up front so we can share with candidates what they should expect moving forward in an interview process.

After presenting you as a candidate for a job, which we’ll only do after receiving the go-ahead from you, we’ll either get your availability to schedule you for an interview or give feedback as to why the client may be declining to move further. We’ll connect with you before your interview to give tips and insight that may be helpful, and after your interview, we’ll debrief with you to cover how the interview went and any questions you may have. Many interview processes are multi-step and we’ll do this series of preparation and debrief for each interview to ensure no concerns are left unaddressed. By keeping in constant communication, when the time comes for an offer, we’re able to represent to the client your attitude towards this role and any additional activity you have to craft the best offer possible. At that point, we’ll serve as your point of contact for any negotiation that needs to occur, ultimately working toward offer acceptance!

Do you edit my resume or do mock interviews?

While we will make sure you’re prepared for your interview and run over details with you, we don't conduct full mock interviews. Similarly, we always review resumes before submitting to our client, and will give pointers on adjusting format or content, but don’t totally revamp your resume.

Do I need to pay anything?

No! Upon agreeing to work with us, clients accept responsibility to pay for our service. As a candidate, nothing comes out of your pocket to work with a recruiter.

Is there a benefit to working with a recruiter?

Of course we’re biased… but yes! For starters, recruiters are in unique positions in the market to best understand hiring trends. Put simply - our job is jobs; we’re discussing salary, company culture, hybrid models, and everything in-between on a day-to-day basis. This allows us to be fully transparent with candidates and clients about what we’re seeing on the market. We also work closely with hiring managers to best understand the needs of their company, as well as working closely with you to understand your experience and skill set. There’s nothing worse than walking into a new job only to find out it’s not what you thought it was, and honest conversations on both parts help us mediate this risk.

Maybe you’re a recent grad dipping your toes in the job market for the first time or maybe you’re a leader in your field ready to kickstart your job search for something new; wherever you’re at, we’ve got you covered. Still have questions…connect with us!

Meet the Author

Savannah Gregory
Talent Associate, HR & Talent Acquisition

Your next opportunity awaits.

Job hunting can be stressful and making a career move can be intimidating. We know all too well. Our team of talent professionals is here to support your search every step of the way. Whether you’re seeking your first full-time gig, looking for contract-to-hire opportunities, or ready to take the next step in your career, we’ve got you covered.