Searching for a job can be pretty frustrating, especially when your cover letters and resumes get no response.
You check major online job sites daily. You’ve triple-checked that your resume is up to date and free of typos or mistakes. You’ve polished your LinkedIn profile and have been networking both online and offline.
But you’re still not being hired! It feels like you have hit a dead end.
It may be time to find a recruiting agency or a recruiter who can significantly help your job search. Here’s how and why.
What is a Recruiter?
A recruiter can either work with a staffing agency or work alone and oversee which qualified candidate gets what open job position. They often work directly with the hiring manager to outline the skills required for the specific role, develop the job description, and then manage the application process.
They review resumes, set up interviews, submit job offers, and negotiate them when necessary. In some cases, they also help with onboarding new employees. Essentially, a recruiter is in place to meet the demands of the employee and employer during the hiring process.
How Do Recruiters Help Job Seekers?
Recruiters help make the hiring process more straightforward since they act as your liaison. They can help your job search in many ways, including:
- providing you with valuable resources
- identifying gaps in your skillset and suggesting training courses
- perfecting your application materials
- helping you create an effective resume that highlights your achievements and skills
- giving you industry insight and labor market information
- advocating on your behalf
- guiding your job search
- connecting you to job opportunities and helping you access the hidden job market
- offering interview coaching and strategies
Recruiters have a broad reach across professional associations, social media, and job boards. If you are interested in working with a recruiter to find a new job, there are multiple ways to find one.
1. Ask For Recommendations
It is best to work with a professional recruiter whose reputation precedes them. Asking for recommendations from your friends, colleagues, neighbors, or family is a great way to find recruiters since they will recommend them based on their experience.
Ask them what their experience was like or if they know anyone who has successfully worked with a recruiter. If they are actively working with one they like, ask if they are looking for more clients and are available to work with you, too.
2. Look Them Up Online
You can easily find recruiters online, and the best part is that you are likely to find some of the most reputable ones.
Use keywords and include the area you live in. Search for terms like ’employment agencies,’ ‘recruiters near me,’ or search firms to get the top results. If there are too many listings, rephrase your search and specify what job position you are looking for.
3. Use a Directory
Multiple free directories are available online, where you can find recruiting agencies based on industry or sector, location, and special skills or training required. Check out the Online Recruiters Directory and iRecruit.
4. Professional Associations
Looking through professional publications or resources is another excellent way to find recruiters because you are likely to find agencies advertising to people in your industry. Attending conferences and special events hosted by these associations will also give you the chance to connect with recruiters who are presenting or hosting vendor booths.
5. “Best of” Lists
Specific publications often rank the best recruiting agencies each year. These lists will tell you how to follow or connect with the profiles of recruiters who fit what you are looking for.
6. Use LinkedIn
You can easily find recruiters on LinkedIn to follow. Once you have set up your account, look for search firms or recruiters to get an extensive list of firms. Or you can look up specific people that you’ve identified through your other research.
When looking for a recruiter from a particular company, the best approach is to narrow down your search by finding the employer first and then searching through their employees to find the right person to connect with.
7. Look at Job Sites
Usually, looking at job sites like ZipRecruiter, Indeed, and Monster is pretty helpful since there are high chances that you will find the recruiters posting job openings. If the jobs posted are in your area of expertise, this is a clear indication that connecting with this recruiter could be an asset to you.
8. Use Social Media
There are several social media platforms, and getting a job through social media is easier than ever. Search ‘recruiter looking for’ or ‘hiring now,’ and you will get different results for different profiles relevant to your industry.
You can use these sites to contact a couple of professional recruiters and begin networking with recruiters, leaders, and other relevant influential people.
9. Look for Recruiter’s Blogs
Many recruiters will also set up their own websites or blogs and use content to build their networks, connect with candidates, and attract clients. Look through high-profile publications in your industry now and then, and you just might come across an article written by a recruiter representing a particular search firm. From there, you can find ways to connect with the recruiter, should you be interested.
10. Let Recruiters Find You
While looking for the best recruiters is smart, don’t forget that recruiters are also constantly looking for candidates they can work with. You can use several platforms to allow recruiters to find you, such as LinkedIn or ZipRecruiter.
Whichever platform you use, the small details matter. It is vital that your listing stands out from the rest if you want to get the job.
Remember to include your experience and your hard and soft skills. You should also summarize your accomplishments and ensure that they are well-written. On LinkedIn, utilize recommendations and endorsements.
Are you in a position that allows you to increase your visibility in your industry by getting published, writing articles, speaking at conferences, or giving talks? If you are, this would be an excellent way to put yourself out there and get recruiters to notice you.
Another tip worth mentioning is that recruiters will also notice you when you maintain a high profile in a professional organization or are involved in important committees or boards.
Work with a Recruiter to Find a New Job
You shouldn’t stop job searching on your own when working with a recruiter. Their role is to support you, not do all of the work for you.
But if you have been sending out your resume and not getting any feedback or only getting rejections, you now know how to find a recruiter who can help you!
Reasons Why No One is Hiring You
Job searching can be a long process that requires a lot of patience. If you have been applying for new jobs for months without any luck, you can’t help but wonder, “Why won’t anyone hire me?”
Well, there are numerous possibilities as to why you can’t find a job. The good news is there are also things you can do to fix them and improve your chances of getting hired.
Here are 18 possible reasons no one is hiring you – and what to do to fix it.
Why Getting a Job Has Nothing to Do With Your Qualifications
Qualifications and achievements have long been considered the cornerstone of professional worth and capability. However, as the job market continues to evolve, these standards are changing.
While qualifications play a part in getting a job, they’re not the only factor. Here are 20 reasons why your qualifications might not be the deciding factor in your next application.
