What value can a good recruiter add to your job search?

Finding a good recruiter to work with is not easy, but it’s worth the effort.

Despite what you might think of recruiters, they have a role to play in opening the door for you to meet with potential employers, often seen as a relatively transactional relationship focussed on sending CV’s, arranging interviews and managing the process.

But can a recruiter add more value than this? Does it make a difference who represents you to a role and most importantly, how can your choice of recruiter give you the best possible chance of success?

Here are some key questions to ask yourself when you are engaging with a recruiter to help you find the right one for you.

Do they understand the role?

This may sound obvious, but do they know what they are recruiting for? Of course they will know the basics, job title, salary, company etc. but can they answer your questions on the role? Do they have insight into the team, the reporting lines and do they know what the business are really looking for in a candidate? Are they able to talk about career development or progression paths? In short, are they able to add any value to the job description?

If they don't have the answer to these questions then I would assume they don't truly understand the role. A job description is a starting point in the recruitment process, but they never really tell the full story, this comes from an in-depth conversation with the business where a good recruiter can really draw out the requirements, give realistic market insight to the client and understand the role they are looking to recruit.

Understanding the role and what the business are looking for in their next hire is so important, without a grasp on that then there is know way of knowing if the role is a good fit for you.

Do they have a good relationship with the hiring manager and recruiter?

To really influence and make a difference to your application, your recruiter needs to have a good relationship with the business they are working with. When the relationship is transactional and relies on just sending CV's then there is only so much value they can add to the process.

The real success comes when they understand the business and the team that they are recruiting for and can highlight why your profile is a great option for them. It isn't always about having the perfect CV that ticks all the boxes but about understanding the most important skills, attributes and values that are required and really making these shine in your application. Often a candidate can get overlooked at the screening phase because their CV doesn’t look perfect, despite being a brilliant fit for the business so if your recruiter is able to effectively highlight why you would be worthy of an interview then they can really open doors for you.

Do they want to interview you?

It can be frustrating when yet another recruiter wants to book time in your diary for an interview. You have done dozens of them already which haven't materialised to much so why waste your time?

But this is important and works two ways as on one hand, they are working with the business to find the best people for the role so this is a really important stage to assess your suitability and values alignment and on the other, the more they know about your skills, experience and values, the better position they are in to represent you. Just like a job description doesn't always tell the whole story, your CV might not sell you in the best possible way and an interview will allow your recruiter to really draw out relevant examples and achievements and present your profile more effectively.

Can they add value to the process?

Even once they have secured you an interview in the role, you will need as much information as you possibly can to really align your approach. This isn't about being someone you are not in interview, it's about being the best, most authentic version of yourself, whilst understanding what the interviewers are looking for. Thorough interview preparation will give you the confidence to really shine and focus on highlighting the most relevant examples from your career.

A great recruiter should be able to give you insight into the people you will be meeting and to help you tailor your approach in the best way to maximise the time you have to impress.

But it isn’t just about interviews, they will be there to work through all of your questions around salary, progression, development and more, offering advice and market insight to what is achievable and realistic and helping you to make informed decisions on your next career move.

Will they be honest?

It’s pretty straight forward, you want to work with a recruiter who is honest and respectful. If they don’t have any news from a client when expected, will they reach out with a quick call or a text message to keep you updated? If you have left a message for them, will they call you back? And will they deliver bad news if you haven’t been successful? Of course it is important to remember that honesty and respect work both ways so be mindful of your own actions too.

Finding a good recruiter to work with can transform the painful process of job seeking into a much more bearable and even potentially pleasant experience and ultimately add value in securing your next role. So next time you are selecting a recruiter to work with or are approached about a role, consider these questions to see if they are able to add value to your search. Once you have found the one or two recruiters that you trust and respect then keep in touch, refer them some great candidates and strengthen your relationship, they will be your first call next time you are looking.

If you are keen to find out more about how a good recruiter can add value to your search, reach out to