What the Heck is a Recruiter?! (and why use one)

Chances are that unless you are well into your lifetime career, you have never used a recruiter (also known as a headhunter) before. This is traditional, but this is changing as more companies call on recruiters to help hire with all levels of technical and managerial positions. So you can feel absolutely comfortable working with us, here are some frequently asked questions.

Does using a recruiter cost me anything?

Why do companies use recruiters?

Even though most companies have internal hiring procedures, and many have in-house Human Resource Departments, a professional recruiter (or two) may be called to assist with hiring for many reasons. Some positions require special talents or experience and a recruiter specializing in a particular area is usually very cost-effective for the hiring company. Sometimes recruiters are called to fill a position that must be kept confidential or perhaps the company’s staff is just too busy to handle the many aspects of hiring for a position.

How does the recruiting company make its money?

The recruiting firm charges the hiring company a certain percentage of the new-hire’s initial salary. The hiring company has agreed ahead of time to this percentage in writing even though the salary may be somewhat negotiable. For this reason, a recruiter does not divulge the name of the client immediately - sometimes not until an interview is eminent. This arrangement in no way reduces your salary.

Even after you received the name of the company from the recruiter, or in many cases, you figure it out, you should keep it confidential. This keeps unscrupulous folks that may hear of the job openings from 'going around' a recruiter and directly contacting the hiring company. That person is either directed back to the recruiter or dropped altogether due to their lack of ethics and their poor business acumen. After all, the hiring company engaged the recruiter to source, screen and recommend.

What exactly does a recruiter do?

Recruiters are professional networkers and usually specialize in an industry or a niche. Recruiting involves all aspects of researching, understanding the corporate culture, advertising, sourcing, checking references, backgrounds, interviewing, coaching, and a number of other things that help match the right person to the right position. Recruiters are able to locate people who might not otherwise be looking for a new opportunity. Many job seekers use recruiters as part of their overall job search. It is a fact that a professional recruiter is a valuable resource in salary and benefit negotiations.

How can I best help my recruiter to help me?

First, a reality check. Realize that in the current market recruiters receive literally hundreds and hundreds of resumes and inquiries a week. Not receiving a response from a recruiter, after you have submitted resume, is a perfectly valid response. It's not always how we like to do business, but answering 500 emails a week would keep us from helping someone get hired. Those applicants matching the required skill set for the current opportunities are contacted, usually immediately. Digital Recruiters keeps a state-of-the-art database containing every applicant that sends a resume in order to compare with current and future job orders. If you are one of the 2-5% who are contacted by a recruiter, then total communication is now the only valid response for both of you.

Second, the relationship with a recruiter should be a partnership. The more information that the partners can share, honestly and openly, the better the chances for success. Your recruiter is a matchmaker and will tell you if a position is not right for you. You must also be honest with yourself and your recruiter and discuss anything that makes you not feel right about a position or a company. The recruiter knows what to be concerned about and what they can work around. Usually they have a very good working knowledge of the hiring company and how it works. This is another benefit to working with a recruiter.

Third, make sure your recruiter has all your phone numbers, correct address and complete and correct work history, education, visa information, special needs, etc. In addition, your recruiter needs to know about the interviews or contacts you have already made with potential employers or other recruiters. This is very important!

Your recruiter will help you by giving you information like the one you are reading to guide you every step of the way, from resume and interview prep, to salary negotiation and relocation information, if needed. We will also be there for you AFTER you start your new job. Or, should you not be the right candidate for the position, we’ll try to be there to help you learn for the next opportunity. We know that job seeking and job changing can be stressful, exciting, scary, intimidating, complicated and even fun! We have been though all of these and so our job is to make you feel as comfortable as possible with the process, no matter the outcome. By the way, it's stressful for the recruiter, too!

Does my recruiter submit candidates other than me?

Usually, yes. Most companies require that they be given several qualified candidates from which to choose. Each has unique qualifications. Consider that you are in the quarterfinals when you have made it to the interview with the employer! Remember, at Digital Recruiters we want to match the best person to the job opportunity. We do not want you to be in a job in which you would not do well and enjoy.

Should I work with more than one recruiting firm?

Probably “listing” with other recruiting firms could not hurt, but when you begin the interview process, you should work with only one. If we offer you a chance to interview for a position that you feel could be right for you, but you continue to seek out other positions, then, naturally, we would expect that you are not seriously interested in the position.

It’s important for you to keep a handle on which companies are getting a look at your name on a resume. Digital Recruiters will never give your resume to an employer without your permission. You should work only with recruiters that adhere to this policy. Broadcasting your resume across an industry does not reflect well on your integrity or on that of the company you used. It also says something about your lack of direction: that you just want a job, any job, rather than a career opportunity.

Employers, too, receive unbelievable numbers of resumes. Employers often work with several different recruiting firms at a time and sign agreements with each. For this reason, a resume sent to an employer from numerous sources can cause confusion and forces the employer to make a decision about how to approach the applicant. More than likely, the employer will just pass over that resume and move on to an applicant that doesn’t force them to make decisions that could get them into legal entanglements.

Summary: Why Use A Recruiter?

A reputable recruiter gives you the advantage! You have formed a partnership that will last long after you have made a job change – whether the recruiter helped you find that job or not. It may be two or three job changes ‘down the road’ before your favorite recruiter places you, but they have learned about you, they know the industry and they can keep an eye open for your ‘dream job’ even while you are happy at your current employment. Recruiters help you view your career in the long-term rather than as ‘just a job’.