Can recruiters help you get a job?

When it comes to making a career change, you may be wondering if a recruiter can really help you get a new job or if they even help people with your skill set. Finding a new job can be stressful at the best of times, so it’s important you make the most of the resources around you.

Read on to find out if it’s worth working with a recruiter during your job hunt.

How recruiters can help you get a job

Recruiters work with several companies to help them find the right candidates for their vacancies. Recruiters tend to do everything from advertising the job role, to screening CVs, to arranging interviews and negotiating salaries. As a job seeker, you’ll be able to ask the recruiter about the company and role, and potentially apply for several opportunities through the same recruiter.

There are different types of recruitment agencies for you to choose from. Many agencies will specialise in a particular type of recruitment, for example financial services recruitment or environmental recruitment agencies. So, if you’re looking for a role in a particular industry, a quick google search will help you find an agency that has a strong presence in your industry.

Pros of using a recruitment agency to find a job

1. Time-saving

Good recruiters can save you time. As long as the recruiter is well connected, they may be able to get you into a new role quicker than you can say ‘hired.’ Very often, one recruiter will be able to send your CV off to multiple companies, increasing your chances of getting hired.

2. Better negotiating

Negotiating your own salary can be an awkward experience. But with a recruiter, you’ve got a much better chance of landing a higher salary since it’s also in the recruiter’s interest.

3. You can ask the awkward questions

Sometimes there are questions you don’t really want to broach with the employer directly. For example, if you know they recently had some bad press, a recruiter can give you the inside scoop on what’s really going on at the company.

4. Support with the job search process

Recruiters don’t just help by presenting you with job opportunities. They’re also very knowledgeable and can offer advice throughout the entire application process from CV advice to interview tips.

Cons of using a recruiter to help you find a job

1. Chasing updates

Some recruiters aren’t the best at keeping their candidates updated on any changes. So you may find yourself chasing the recruiter for an update.

2. Lack of knowledge

Not all recruiters are born equal. They don’t all know the ins and outs of the companies they’re representing, so they may not be able to answer all your questions about the job opportunity.

3. No industry knowledge

It’s important you find the right recruitment agency to work with. Some agencies are generalists, which means they don’t specialise in any particular industry. It’s best to work with recruiters who only work with your particular skill set/industry as they’ll be better connected and in a stronger position to help you.

Launch your job hunt

If you’re looking for different ways to find a new job quickly, using a recruiter could be a great string to add to your bow so long as you’re working with an agency that is used to working with your skill set. Just be sure to also use other methods like the job boards and direct applications to really amplify your search.