Did you know that having your resume in the hands of a recruiter is the best passive way to be open to outstanding opportunities in your profession? If you understand how search firms work, your expectations will be more realistic, and you’ll better understand how to approach them. The work recruiters do can be compared to the work of a realtor. Recruiters represent positions that need to be filled (the equivalent of houses for sale). They recruit qualified people to fill those positions (house buyers). They match their job opportunities with their qualified candidates, just as realtors match house seekers with houses. In both fields, possibilities are sometimes presented as “once in a lifetime” opportunities.
There are many professional and reputable search firms out there. However, recruiters are looking to represent individuals who are marketable (individuals who have a stable work history, experience and skills). Therefore, the more marketable you are, the more likely you will have a positive experience with search firms.
Here are several benefits of why you want to work with a search firm:
– Recruiters have access to many positions that are not advertised.
– Recruiters can provide tremendous insight into the companies they represent when preparing you for your interviews.
– When top corporations need the best person for a specific position, they turn to recruiters for their expertise and network.
– Working with a recruiter is the best way to conduct a passive job search.
– The process is extremely confidential.
– You are able to test your marketability without risking your current job.
– Small to mid-size companies are growing rapidly. It is typically those companies that utilize search firms.
– Recruiters are always educated and aware of market trends. They can talk with you about current trends and predicted future trends.
– If your recruiter knows what your long-term goals are, they can help you find positions that will enable you to attain your goals!
– You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Unless you feel it is your next logical career move, there is no obligation on your part to accept any position.
The next step in effectively working with the right recruiter is to understand there are several types. These are four types of search firms:
- Direct placement – (Contingency) – This means that there is absolutely no cost to you to work with a recruiter. The client companies pay a recruiter to find them top talent.
- Direct placement – (Retained) – The recruiter receives an exclusive contract to fill a position and gets paid whether or not they find top talent to fill the position.
- Temporary & Contract – Staffing Firm – These firms offer opportunities that are flexible. You become an employee of the staffing firm. They find opportunities with numerous corporations. These assignments can be as short as one day or may continue for years. Sometimes a Temp/Contract position can turn into a Direct placement. This means you become an employee of that corporation.
- Blended Firm – Many firms are set up to combine any of the types of placement listed above.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Ingrid Moore
Ingrid Moore is the Founder and CEO of Corporate Resources of Illinois, an employment & staffing agency with over 20+years’ experience located in Schaumburg, IL. Ingrid and her team assist employers with finding the right hire for their business. For more info, follow us on our LinkedIn Company Page, or follow us Corporate Resources of Illinois‘s Google+ page.
