Ten Top Tips for Engaging with Sales Recruiters

 

At some stage during your career it is likely there will come a point at which you interact with a recruitment consultant. For many, these encounters will only be brief and sometimes even frustrating. But there are those that understand the benefit of a long term partnership with a professional recruiter.

 

So what do you need to know in order to best leverage your time spent dealing with recruiters and how can you make sure you are getting the best out of their service. Well, like any strong business relationship: it is not a one-way street.

 

All productive partnerships are the result of working together to mutually beneficial outcomes. With that in mind, let’s consider ten top tips for engaging with sales recruiters so that you can begin to harness these relationships for the better.

 

1)  Have Realistic Goals

 

It’s OK to dream, setting your sights high is a great way to push yourself. But when it comes to job hunting you need to be realistic. Recruiters are not magicians, they can’t convince a hiring manager you are right for a role that is well above your current level. And they can’t conjure up unrealistic salary hikes.

 

Be ambitious, yes, but have realistic goals when looking for a new role. If you don’t, you may not be contacted about a role that might actually be just what you’re looking for.

 

2)  Apply For Relevant Roles

 

This is closely linked with having realistic expectations but goes beyond that to ensuring that you are actually applying for roles that you are qualified for.

 

Lack off feedback is a major gripe of many job seekers and recruiters know they could do better. But when we receive numerous irrelevant applications it is too time consuming to respond to everyone. Check you actually have the skills and experience required for a position before speculatively applying and chasing for feedback everyday.

 

If you’re not the right match but still feel you’re suitable, at least provide a brief cover letter outlining why you applied for the position.

 

3)  Be Articulate and Honest

 

We are looking for candidates that can clearly and precisely describe their past achievements, experiences and reasons for leaving former roles. If you can’t articulate this to us in a comprehendible manner we will assume you will perform the same in an interview.

 

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4)  Listen

 

As well as being a good communicator you have to be a good listener. If you think you can’t learn anything from your recruiter then you may miss a key point. Listening to their interview advice, no matter what level you are at, is important. You may pick up one or two tips that could make all the difference.

 

 

 

5)  Be Committed and Punctual

 

There’s nothing that puts us off a candidate more than someone who is late for interviews and inflexible with meetings. We know it’s not easy to get out of work and appreciate you can get caught up in traffic. But if you’re showing resistance at making the effort to book interviews and don’t take steps to ensure you arrive on tim, we won’t feel you’re serious about your job search.

 

Sticking to appointments and being flexible with interviews goes a long way to building trust with your recruiter and in turn your prospective employer.

 

6)  Provide Timely Feedback

 

When you interview with a client of ours they will be as keen to find out your thoughts as you are theirs. We will ask you to call us after your interview to relay your immediate thoughts, this is an important part of the process and it is disheartening when it isn’t carried out.

 

Again, this all relates to your relationship being more than a one-way exchange. The more information you give us the better service we can provide you. Even if you feel you interviewed poorly, let us know. Some honest words of enthusiasm to pass on to the manager can be the difference between getting a rejection and a 2nd interview.

 

7)  Prepared to Meet

 

The dreaded coffee with a recruiter. We know you’d rather be elsewhere, but what value do you place on your career? And believe me we’re not all that bad. Meeting us helps you realise we are human too and genuinely care about making sure we find you the right position.

 

It helps to build rapport, enhance relationships and who knows you might even make a new friend. Some of our candidates have become long term friendships. OK, not an important factor initially but it is rewarding nevertheless to work with people you like.

 

8)  Forget Your Perceptions

 

Despite what you might hear and think, the majority of recruiters are not out to make a quick buck with a total disregard for the wellbeing of others. We have very strong ethics and fully understand the sensitivity and relevance of the information shared with us on a daily basis.

 

For every horror story you hear there are thousands of candidates finding their dream jobs because they were open and honest with their recruiters rather than being cagey and guarded.

 

If you are upfront and honest with us, with a belief that we genuinely want to help, you’ll be surprised what you get in return.

 

9)  Offer Recommendations and Referrals

 

If you’re happy with the service your recruiter has provided you, they’ll be extremely grateful for any recommendations or referrals you can provide. Think of it like a tip in your favourite restaurant. By helping out now, you know you’ll be getting the best service the next time you need us. Whether as a candidate or even a client.

 

10)  Be Social

 

Don’t treat recruiters like social outcasts who are only relevant when you are unhappy in your role and are keen on a move. Even when you’re not looking, keep in contact, share our job posts on your social networks and treat us like you would any other professional. We will appreciate it and look forward to working with you!