Amp Up Your Job Search with a Recruiter

Recruiters Aren’t Just for Entry-level Talent: How Working with a Recruiter Can Help Seasoned Professionals Find New Job Opportunities

If the first thing you think of when you hear the word “recruiter” is college job fairs or unread LinkedIn messages at the bottom of your inbox, it’s time to refresh that. Recruiters can be an incredible resource to job seekers at almost any level, particularly those who are a few years (or more!) into their career.

In fact, recruiters are often most effective when you’ve been in your field for some time and are ready for your next opportunity. People in project management, technology management, and life sciences are scanning the job market for a variety of reasons, including new challenges, a change of pace, or a salary jump. Enlisting a recruiter in your search could help you land your next position.

Recruiters Can Help You Make More Money

Because companies pay staffing agencies to find talent, they are more likely to use recruiters for jobs that are more difficult to hire for. For example, it’s more challenging for a hiring manager to identify a highly skilled and experienced data analyst than an entry-level sales associate. While both positions are valuable, a company seeking to fill senior positions is more likely to work with a staffing agency to further the recruitment process. Moreover, recruiters are typically paid a commission (usually a percentage of what your base salary is) by the company that hires you. The upside: recruiters are not only incentivized to get you hired, but also to help you get a higher salary.

How Recruiters Can Help Your Job Search

Landing a new job is a major achievement and an exciting time in your career, but it can be a journey to get there. Even in a great job market, it can take months to land a new role. The average interview process itself lasts just over three weeks! While timelines vary widely depending on several factors, from the job economy to the industry you’re in, to the exact needs of the company, it’s important to go into a job search with patience and preparedness. One of the best ways to prepare for your career next step is opening yourself up to the help of a recruiter.

Wide Networks and Deep Connections

Over your time in the workforce, you’ve probably acquired a handful of great connections and contacts. When starting a job search, it’s a good idea to reach out to your network and see if they have any leads on openings. But if you’ve done this and still feel stuck, a recruiter may be able to help. Day in and day out, they work with candidates and hiring managers, getting to know your industry, and building a network of contacts. Industry-specialized staffing agencies are especially helpful since they’ve built relationships with companies and hiring managers and are seen as a trusted resource for finding candidates, giving you a competitive edge.

Easing the Process for You

No matter where you are in your career, finding a new job takes time and effort. Not only do you have to identify opportunities, but you will also need to tailor your resume to fit different job descriptions, schedule and prepare for interviews, send follow-ups, etc. If you are currently employed and well established in your career, it’s a lot to take on along with your daily workload.

While a recruiter can’t do all the work for you, they can help take some of it off your plate. Instead of you spending hours endlessly scrolling LinkedIn and other job boards, a recruiter can share relevant job openings from their connections, exclusive databases, and other sources. They can also give you advice on your resume, facilitate initial interview scheduling, and help you prepare. Plus, because recruiters often speak with hiring managers themselves to learn more about the roles that they’re finding candidates for, they can provide you more in-depth information about the position and company, so you don’t have to do all the research yourself.

Bringing a Competitive Edge

In a market that favors hiring teams over job seekers, it can feel like your job search is taking a lifetime, especially if you're one fish in a sea of applications. A specialized staffing agency can shift your job search from quantity to quality, helping you identify the top jobs for your qualifications and goals, while circumventing the digital resume scanners and applicant tracking systems that may limit bites on your application. Getting your resume straight to the hiring manager is a significant advantage, particularly if your staffing agency has worked with the organization before.

Insights and Advice

If you’ve been at the same company for several years, it’s likely that the job market has changed since you last ventured into it. From attitudes toward cover letters to virtual interview etiquette to AI resume scanners, the typical job search process is constantly evolving. Because recruiters know the job market and hiring trends inside and out, they are invaluable when it comes to helping you navigate it all. They can help you put your best foot forward to stand out among other candidates based on hiring data and market trends. Perhaps more importantly, they can give you insight into competitive salary rates and help you negotiate compensation packages.

Advance Your Career with a Recruiter

Finding a new job is exciting (and a little nerve wracking), whether you’re five or 15 years into your career. It’s an opportunity for new experiences and challenges, a time to test and expand your skill set, and a chance to grow your earning potential. With the assistance of a recruiter, you can open your job search to roles you might’ve not known existed, position yourself as a top candidate, and receive the support of a job market expert.

If you’re ready to make the next move in your career path, talk with a System One team member to learn how we can help you.