The benefits of partnering up with a recruiter throughout your career

Guest blog from Future pro-manchester committee member and Realm Recruit Director, Duane Cormell.

On average, people in the UK have 6 jobs in their lifetime. For millennials who are less invested in the concept of the ‘job for life’ and are not afraid to move jobs in order to meet their career objectives, this figure is twice as high.

Because we’re moving jobs so frequently nowadays, the skills and services of specialist recruitment consultants have arguably never been so valuable.

Some people have reservations about working with a recruiter, but partnering up with a specialist who thoroughly understands your industry can prove to be invaluable. Whilst it is never too late, there are several reasons why teaming up with a recruitment consultant early on in your career is worthwhile:

Moving jobs can be stressful

They say that along with moving house, getting divorced and having children, changing jobs can be one of the most stressful things you can do. Transitioning to a new role, particularly if you are relocating or working within a different capacity can be a time of significant upheaval and can have an impact on all aspects of your life. Navigating the process with someone you know and trust, and who is good at what they do will help finding and starting a new job a lot easier.

Not every career move arises from an advertised vacancy

There’s a popular belief that all businesses advertise all of their jobs publicly, but this isn’t always the case. Take the following scenarios for example:

• A recruiter might be instructed to find someone on a discreet basis because, for whatever reason, it wouldn’t be appropriate to publicise the vacancy
• There may not even be a vacancy. Occasionally, an informal discussion between a recruiter and one of their clients about a promising candidate develops and ultimately turns into a hire

Even if you’re not actively looking for a new position, having a recruiter onside that will have the inside scoop on the current and potential opportunities on offer will eliminate the risk of you missing out on what could potentially be your dream opportunity.

Your recruiter can act as a sounding board

Having someone who can offer you honest career advice and keep you informed about the state of the market can be extremely useful, even if you’re not looking to make an immediate move. A good, ethical recruiter with a solid knowledge of your profession will be able to advise you on whether you’re being paid fairly, whether your speed of progression is reasonable and what the working culture is like at other companies, putting you in a very strong position when it comes to pay reviews or appraisals.

Your recruiter will do the legwork for you

Recruiters are there to make the process of finding and starting a new job easier for you. From arranging interviews to advising you on your application, your recruitment consultant will act as the intermediary between you and your potential employer, reducing the amount of time you need to spend on the logistics involved in making a move.

Your recruiter will handle any tricky conversations

Not only will the recruiter act as the intermediary on the logistical front, but they’ll also diplomatically handle negotiations with an employer on your behalf. This will relieve you of any potentially awkward conversations and, at the same time, ensure that you get a fair deal.

What to look out for in a good recruiter

When you decide to partner up with a recruiter, it’s important that you do your research beforehand and only work with someone who is right for you and your career. Ideally, the consultant you work with will be:

• A specialist who understands what you do

Working with a generalist or someone who isn’t familiar with the ins and outs of your role and industry is as good as not working with a recruiter at all. Instead, look for someone who has a thorough understanding of your profession and market niche. Equally, make sure they are someone who is will be in the right place at the right time to hear about the opportunities you’ll be interested in.

• Someone with credibility

Speak to colleagues or friends you know and trust who might be able to recommend recruitment consultants they’ve worked with or have heard good things about. Look at a consultant’s testimonials on LinkedIn and on their company’s website to find out what other people say about them before agreeing to work with them.

• Someone you get on with

Most importantly, you should feel comfortable speaking honestly about your current circumstances, career goals and aspirations with your recruiter. By articulating exactly what you are looking for you will ensure that they are fully informed and can more effectively work towards helping you find your ideal position and, ultimately, progressing your career. Listen to your gut instinct and work with someone whose advice you feel that you can trust.