While you can’t solely rely on recruiters, working with the right headhunter can have many potential benefits to your job search.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to hire a recruiter to find a job and what other services you can use to land your dream position.
Should You Pay a Recruiter To Find a Job?
No. You probably don’t need to hire a recruiter to find a job.
It’s the hiring company that pays the recruiter.
That’s how things are supposed to work.
However, you can pay someone else to help you find a job.
Later, we will talk about different fee-based options that will give you better chances of getting the job you want.
For now, let’s explore how recruitment agencies work and how they can help you.
Why Should You Work With a Recruiter?
Recruiters, also called headhunters, are professionals working for an outside agency or hired by companies to find talent.
They are paid to hire the best people for specific roles in the fastest possible way.
Working with a recruiter can be a great opportunity.
That’s because they can bring you closer to job vacancies and openings in various companies, some of which are probably not even advertised yet.
Working with a recruiter comes with other potential benefits aside from getting access to a broader job database.
A good recruiter will have great networks and excellent relationships with various organizations.
That means they:
- Know what an organization is looking for in a candidate.
- Can get your resume straight to the hiring manager if you meet the job qualifications.
- Can help polish your resume, give you career advice, and help you prepare for interviews.
How To Find a Recruiter
Finding good recruiters is easy.
Check out these steps on how to hire a recruiter to find a job:
1. Prepare Your Resume
First, you need an updated and powerful resume.
Don’t forget to prepare a nice cover letter too.
Some recruiters might require additional documents, including references and an online portfolio.
That said, it pays to have all those available as well.
2. Ask Friends for Referrals
A very effective way to find a recruiter or a headhunter agency is to ask for recommendations from friends or people you’ve worked with.
You can also tap HR professionals in your network or search for “recruiters” or “recruitment agencies” on Google.
3. Find a Recruiter Online
You can also find recruiters through social networking sites like LinkedIn.
In case you didn’t know, 95 percent of recruiters use LinkedIn to look for job candidates.
Alternatively, you can check dedicated websites for job searches.
Many recruiters regularly post employment opportunities on these sites.
4. Choose the Recruiter That’s Right for You
Some recruiters can help you find jobs locally, while others can secure you a job abroad.
You must also check the levels at which recruiters typically place candidates.
For instance, some might be looking only for specific levels, such as remote employees, entry-level professionals, and senior or executive levels.
5. Reach Out To the Recruiter
Once you find the recruiter who caters to your industry, location, and level, it’s time to reach out to them.
If they’re on LinkedIn, you can send them a message through it.
Or, you can send them an email or reach out via phone.
You’ll most likely find their contact details on social media or LinkedIn profiles.
If you choose a recruitment agency, the best way to get in touch with them is through their company website.
Regardless of your approach, make sure you highlight your skills, background, and experience and specify the new roles you’re looking for.
6. Help Recruiters Find You
Most recruiters search for talent online.
That said, one of the best ways to find recruiters is to create a LinkedIn profile that showcases your skills and experience.
Take time to polish your profile, and don’t forget to include endorsements, accomplishments, recommendations, work samples, and a written summary of your skills.
7. Follow-Through
A good recruiter will acknowledge your request.
However, sometimes, you have to make follow-ups too.
Your recruiter could be dealing with hundreds of applications spread out across different roles they’re looking to fill.
That means their inboxes can get easily caught up with messages.
The only way to ensure your application doesn’t get lost in the mix is to check in with your recruiter regularly.
8. Not All recruiters Are the Same
There are different types of recruiters.
Some recruiters find talent for the company they work for, while others are not associated with any specific company but are hired by various teams or organizations.
It’s essential to find a recruiter who has a genuine concern for applicants.
Those who aren’t just focused on earning commissions from the companies they work with.
If a recruiter charges for their services, ask if the hiring company is also paying them.
This practice is called “double-dipping“.
While it isn’t illegal, it does suggest some ethical issues, so be warned.
What Services Can You Hire To Find a Job?
As we mentioned earlier, you shouldn’t solely rely on your recruiter.
Often, when they make a hire, they just stop reaching out if you’re not the right fit.
If you have been working with one or more recruiters for some time now and haven’t had any luck landing a job, you may consider paid job search assistance offered by reverse recruiters, career coaches, and resume writers.
Reverse Recruiters
While a job recruiter only matches your resume to an open position, a reverse recruiter can fully manage your job application.
They can do almost everything.
That includes searching jobs matching your profile, applying for the jobs you approve, digitally networking on your behalf, and preparing you for interviews.
If you are looking for a specific industry or a higher-level position, such as an executive role, you might benefit from hiring a reverse recruiter.
Career Coach
A career coach will not look for a job for you or match your resume with available positions.
They can also equip you with the knowledge and skills that should help you obtain a fulfilling job.
These include building stronger networks, leveraging social media to build your brand, and connecting with powerful mentors to help you thrive.
They can also help enhance your interpersonal skills so you can thrive in the workplace.
Your career coach can also give you advice on preparing for an interview or choosing positions that are most suitable for your background and experience.
Resume Writers
Sometimes, you just need a solid resume to get hired by a potential employer.
Resume writers are trained not just to highlight your career story, but also to frame information in a way that recruiters can easily notice your resume.
More importantly, they can fine-tune your resume to prevent your application from getting lost in the black hole.
Since most job applications get scanned using an applicant tracking system (ATS).
Only those appropriately formatted and optimized for the right key terms have a greater chance of passing initial screens by recruiters and hiring managers.
How To Hire a Recruiter To Find a Job: Conclusion
Connecting with a recruiter is a great way to find a job easily.
Recruiters work with many companies, the huge ones mostly, and help sell you to potential employers.
The best part is, you don’t have to pay them.
That said, you must find a good recruiter who caters to your industry, location, and level.
You can start by asking referrals from people you know, or going to social media, dedicated job search websites, or search engines like Google.
If you need more comprehensive services, there are people you can pay to help you find a job.
They include reverse recruiters, career coaches, and resume writers.
