How can a Recruiter Help you Find a Better Job?

While the American economy has been slowly improving, things are still tough out there.  Many people are working for even less of their former salary in order to make ends meet or picking up an additional job to try and maintain their former salary level.

Some people would be happy to find any job, let alone a better one than they have now.  But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t quality jobs available for those looking for them. One problem for many job seekers is it’s a time-consuming process. If you already have a full-time job, job hunting could cut into what little personal time you do have. So, the most logical choice would be to work with a recruiter at a staffing firm to do the job hunting for you. What value can a recruiter provide that you don’t already have?  Here are just a few benefits:

They know your local area well.  You could job hunt on your own, but that’s time consuming, stressful, and it takes many calls and resumes submissions just to get an interview.  Then, once you do interview, you are competing with several others for the same position. 

A recruiter, however, knows the local employment market well.  He or she typically specializes in a particular industry and works with firms who do not focus on using traditional hiring methods.  They simply want the best talent, and a recruiter eliminates much of the chance involved in the process. 

They have large networks.  In the traditional job search, you scatter out as many resumes and talk with as many people as you can.  Where you end up is where you end up.  Recruiters, however, have relationships with companies looking for very specific skill sets or people with certain personality characteristics.  They don’t match everyone perfectly to every employer, but they remove much of the chance from the process.  You are much more likely to land in a position you enjoy and for which you are well suited. 

They possess specialized knowledge.  Recruiters have often worked with many different sizes and types of employers.  As a result of their experience, they know very well what type of employee each kind of firm is looking for.  This knowledge helps them understand the type of value you need to bring to the table so that a better match is made from the start.  

They know resume tricks and effective interviewing techniques.  The job of the recruiter lies in getting you in the door, but it’s your job to close the deal.  Thankfully, you aren’t all alone in the process.  Recruiters can thoroughly analyze your resume and cover letter, and also let you know how to write it so employers will find you more attractive.  They’ll also help you prepare for the interview, so that you are more prepared for curveballs and have greater confidence you will succeed when the time comes. 

While recruitment services aren’t used as often as they could be, they do provide exceptional value. Make sure you choose a trusted staffing company that is proactive in finding a new job for you.