Who's in your network?

Your network has to have a few good professional recruiters in it. If you’re like me you know someone who’s had a bad experience with a recruiter or search consultant. In fact, most people don’t trust them until they need a job and that’s the wrong time to be trying to get their attention.  It’s in your best interest – whether you’re looking for a job right now or just monitoring the job market, - to build good relationships with recruiters. It is one of the most important things you can do for your career and your job search campaign. The key is to establish a productive and mutually beneficial relationship so they'll be there for you when you need help?  Here are 6 tips to do just that.

1. Know and understand the search business – This seems fairly obvious but it bears repeating. Search consultant/recruiters are in the business of filling the requests of their clients. Think of them as personal shoppers and what they are looking for is talent that fits the client’s needs, personality, and expectations of what they need. Recruiters are always looking for tangible evidence of success in very specific areas. Be ready to show and tell them about your success quickly and succinctly. If they want to hear more – they’ll ask.
2. Capture their attention – you have about a minute to capture their attention. Successful recruiters are on the phone 4 – 5 hours a day. They are not just doing interviews. They are managing every stage of the process from coaching candidates on interview techniques and the personality of the interview panel; to making sure the internal recruiter is setting up a successful encounter to completing background checks and looking for the next job. So when they take your call something else isn’t getting done. Tell them who you are, your accomplishments, and what work you like and dislike. Discuss the environment you want to work in and what motivates you.
3. Generalists are out; specialists are in. It’s a plug and play economy – plug and play means what sells is specialist/problem solvers. Many recruiters are niche players. They make their money by knowing everyone in their niche so if you know people they don’t then you are better connected than they are and that’s important. Be ready to demonstrate how you can solve problems; influence others to get problems solved. If you’ve been in a lot of jobs in a lot of industries start talking about what you’ve done in the role or industry listed on the job specification.
4. It's about creating trust - answer the darn question and follow instructions – Times have changed. What was embellishing the truth is now turned into outright lying. I'm not saying you lie but recruiters have been burned.  Be prepared to answer all their questions, including the salary one and why you're not working, in a confident and affirming way. If they ask you to send a word document – send a word document. 
5. Treat them like professionals – Don’t forget this is a business relationship. Help them want to help you. Share gossip, industry news and changes. Connect with them as a person. Whereas they are careful about asking personal questions you can ask them almost anything especially if you’re cultivating a relationship before you are looking for a new position.
6. Give more than you expect to receive. Share information and contacts generously. If you say you are an expert – prove it. Know who your competition is and make them part of your network. If you have a weak network; then become an industry insider. Listen to analyst calls on your target companies and then share with the recruiter how you can help the CEO/CFO implement their strategy.

How do you select the right recruiters for your network?  Seek out people in your field, your department or your company and ask them who’s calling them. Attend industry conferences and look for recruiters there. Get to know them before you need them. Remember the definition of a powerful network is a group of influential people capable of bringing to bear needed resources to solve problems quickly and reliably. Recruiters are a key to building a well rounded network and board of directors committed to your long term career success. Finally, when you find good recruiters spread the word throughout your network. They’ll appreciate it and you’ll stand out.Enter some content here...

Posted by Denise Cooper  |