Benefits of Working with Job Recruiters

Finding the right recruiter can be an excellent way of finding the right job for you. You will need to shop around, however, to find someone who can provide the best service for your needs.

Finding a recruiter

Recruiters can be excellent passive job hunting assets. They work on commission, so it's in their interest to find you a good job. Finding a recruiter can involve some research.

You will need:

• A recruiter who specializes in your line of work: This is very important, because some recruiters work in particular sectors of the employment market.
• Clear information regarding fees and services provided: Recruiters provide services on the basis of a service agreement, and you need to know what you're paying for.

If possible, it's advisable to get advice from colleagues in your line of work to help find recruiters. There will usually be several recruiters who have good records of finding employment in your profession, and these are the people you need.

Types of recruiter

Local recruiters

Using local recruiters is often a very good idea. They're convenient, and easy to contact. Local recruiters are experts in the local job market. They know the local employers in their specialty area, and have plenty of contacts to investigate job leads.

Major corporate recruiters

They may be a bit more expensive, but they also deal with the better quality corporate employers. The major corporate recruiters are particularly good for people in the executive or management areas. Some are industry specialists, for example working in the finance industry, banking, or the equity markets. If you're in one of these fields, these recruiters are probably a better option in terms of finding good jobs with major employers.

IT recruiters

The IT job market is extremely volatile, and very changeable. IT recruiters are a good option in this highly fluid area of employment. You won't need to explain your certifications, qualifications and accreditations to them, which is sometimes a problem for non-specialist recruiters. Many IT recruiters are also particularly good at finding jobs at the right level for experienced IT people. Some major recruiters also work with IT recruitment, but it's advisable to inquire first, to make sure they can help you.

Industry or sector-specific recruiters

Most industry-specific recruiters are involved in areas like accountancy, retail, administration, and other major employment markets. If you're in these fields, they're reliable, consistent recruitment options.

Not sure what sort of recruiter you need?

If you're in an area like technical specialist, sales or trades, you're strongly advised to check with several recruiters before making any commitments.

To find out whether a recruiter can help you, you can save yourself some time and money and ask them to outline their area of specialty:

Ask if they have any jobs in your line of work as a starting point. This question will provide a simple yes or no answer. If the recruiter does have related jobs on their books, or had them, you may have found your recruiter. If not, you can move on and check others.

The second question should ask what sort of jobs they have in your field. The answer will tell you if they'll be able to find the sort of job you want.