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How to choose a Recruiter

The Things Most People Don't Know About Recruiters

Making the decision to explore new career opportunities is never an easy choice.  Finding a potential partner for your search and next position is equally important.  Recruiters can provide unique value to your career search if you can identify the best fit for you.

But a recruiter is a recruiter, right?  It doesn't matter if you are an Accountant or an Engineer - aren't all Recruiters the same?  Definitely not.  In general, recruiters define their approach in 4 different ways: areas of practice, types of placement, confidentiality, and level of support.

Areas of Practice
Recruiters, like Doctors or Lawyers, have different specializations.  Just as in the medical field where you will find Doctors specializing in brain surgery, Obstetrics, or Pediatrics, or in the legal field, find lawyers focusing on Intellectual Property, Divorce, or Criminal Defense, Recruiters too have specializations.

A Recruiter's special knowledge can be deep and sophisticated, based on years of experience, placement success, or penetration into candidate pools within their area of expertise.  It is imperative to make sure you are working with a recruiter that specializes in your field!

Type of Placements
Generally, Recruiters work in one or more of three distinct areas - contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire.  While many recruiters will offer support in all three, most have a higher level of focus on one area.  Contract placements are generally for shorter-term projects, or where immediate work is most common.  Contract-to-hire focused on mid to entry level positions where a built in contract period is useful to ensure that it is the right fit for the client and candidate.  Direct hire is focused around mid to upper level positions that require immediate impact and results, and for the candidate, offers a good transition when you are already actively employed.  Depending on the recruiters primary focus, your needs will be approached and handled differently.

Confidentiality
If you are currently employed and are considering a career change, the level of confidentiality you receive is of vital importance.  Make sure you are asking questions in regards to how a recruiter will protect the confidentiality of your search, how they will present you to potential clients, and complete tasks like checking references.  You need a partner that will respect the fact that you are quietly searching, and will keep that confidentiality in mind at all times.  Searching for a new opportunity should not negatively impact your current employment!

Level of Support
Just as no two recruiters are the same, the level of support you receive from those recruiters will always differ.  In many ways, when a candidate works with a recruiter, they have a "free agent" for their search.  How will your potential recruiter support you in the various steps of your search process?  How will they communicate with you?  What information will they provide to help you learn about potential opportunities and successfully interview?  What is their role in salary negotiations and supporting you in your transition from one position to another?  Look for the level of support that matches your needs!

What is the best way to determine if a Recruiter is right for you?
By speaking with them!  Make sure that your questions are answered, and that you take the time to gauge whether a recruiter will be a valuable partner for your career objectives!