Have you been browsing online job boards to find the best job fit for your skills? If so, you’re not alone. The job market can be challenging. You might have the skills for the job but there are others with the same skills. Companies have plenty of options, especially for famous organizations or trendy job openings.
So, what can you do to increase your chances? Consider asking for help from professionals – job recruiters. Recruiters are like job matchmakers; they expand your job opportunities and help you land your dream job.
The Changing Landscapes and Mindsets
The pandemic has slowly changed employees’ thoughts and preferences about work. Some people now care more about whether a company’s values match their own, while others focus on the money. And then there are those who decide based on remote, in-office, or hybrid setups. Because of these reasons, the job market became even more competitive.
Aside from higher standards, finding a job is becoming more difficult because you’re not just competing with fellow unemployed job seekers. Based on research done by LinkedIn, only 30 percent of the global workforce are actively looking for jobs. The remaining 70 percent are hired professionals who are passively open to better opportunities.¹
As a candidate looking for work, you should also consider that the recruitment process takes time. Companies are becoming stricter in hiring to remedy the candidate surge. According to research done in the early months of 2023, companies’ hiring processes have taken up to 44 days on average without the assurance of getting hired.²
With this new information in front of you, it’s clear that finding a job in the current work landscape isn’t easy. The traditional methods of finding job listings and sending in your resume aren’t going to cut it anymore. Now, it’s time for a fresh approach that can deliver results. It’s time to consider reaching out and hiring a recruiter to aid your job-seeking journey.
Read More: 5 Characteristics of a Great Staffing Partner
Role of Recruiters in Your Professional Journey
A recruiter is a human resource (HR) professional specializing in recruiting new employees. They serve as a bridge between you and your potential employers while ensuring both parties mutually benefit from the arrangement.
Think of recruiters as your advocate. They can help position you as an ideal candidate by showcasing your skills, talent, and capabilities that meet the company’s requirements. They help you put your best foot forward and make an impression on hiring managers and potential employers.
Read More: 6 Qualities That Make a Great Call Center Agent
Recruiters have many responsibilities, but their main goal is facilitating a successful and seamless connection between candidates and companies. From sourcing candidates to understanding both the job seeker and the organization, they actively strive to produce a positive employer and candidate experience and a favorable partnership for everyone involved.
Debunking Common Recruiter Myths
Similar to myths about staffing agencies, people also have some false ideas about recruiters that they’ve believed for so long. Whether they heard this through other professionals or picked this up from social media websites, the important thing is to debunk them and learn the truth. The following are three famous myths about recruiters and why they aren’t accurate.
Myth #1: Recruiters Only Want to Fill Jobs
Some people think recruiters only care about quickly filling job vacancies. In their minds, it’s natural for a recruiter to choose speed over quality because they believe more recruits equals more money. While a partnership made in a rush won’t create favorable results, recruiters don’t prioritize this. Quality trumps quantity every time.
Similar to other HR roles, a recruiter is greatly affected by his or her reputation. If they’re tagged as someone who delivers unskilled candidates or creates unfit partnerships, their professional integrity would be in jeopardy. Both candidates and companies would have trouble trusting them.
Because of this, they invest their time in understanding what companies need and their employer branding. They also try to get to know a candidate’s skills and capabilities. They do their best to form an excellent match to ensure a beneficial and lasting relationship between the company and the employee.
Myth #2: Recruiters Only Work with High-Level Executives
Another widespread misconception people have about recruiters is that they only cater to top-level executives and corporate leaders. People think that recruiters naturally decline low-level candidates in favor of wealthier or more powerful ones. This is definitely not true.
The truth is recruiters are here for everyone. Whether you’re looking for an entry-level position or a seasoned professional, recruiters are ready to cater to your needs. They’re also trained to help people get into different industries based on the professional journey they want to take. So, no matter your experience level, it’s wise to consider working with a recruiter during your job hunt.
Myth #3: Recruiters are Expensive for Job Seekers
One of the reasons why people avoid recruiters is because of the misconception that they cost a fortune. This is false because recruiters don’t charge candidates for their service. Instead, they’re paid by either the hiring company they work for or the companies with the open positions.
The payment structure for recruiters varies. Some are paid base salaries and commissions based on the partnerships they help connect. Others are paid by the company whose roles were filled based on an agreed-upon amount.
Regardless of the structure your recruiter follows, one sure thing is you don’t need to spend any money to work with a recruiter. You can tap into their knowledge and resources without any financial burden on your part.
Why Team Up with a Recruiter
Now that we’ve debunked common myths, we now go over how working with a recruiter can benefit you.
Connect You with a Wider Range of People
Recruiters have an extensive network within different industries. This allows them to introduce you to numerous professionals who could potentially offer you opportunities not available on online job postings.
These hidden job openings could potentially offer unique or sought-after positions that might be what you’re looking for. Since they aren’t publicly advertised, you have a higher chance of getting the position since fewer candidates are gunning for it.
Personalized Guidance
Recruiters go beyond connecting you to companies. They also play a crucial role in offering personalized advice and coaching as you go through different stages of recruitment. They can give valuable insights on how you can optimize your resume and how you can effectively showcase your skills and talent in an interview.
More than simply suggesting companies for you to apply to, they also help you in every step, ensuring enhanced chances of securing the position you’re vying for.
Tap into Broader Job Markets and Career Paths
A recruiter expands your job opportunities, meaning they help you tap into different industries based on what you’re looking for in a job position. They can help connect you to hiring managers and potential employers looking for individuals with your skillsets.
So, instead of looking for roles based only on their title, a recruiter could suggest a variety of jobs that might not have the title you want but are aligned with the professional journey you strive for.
FIND YOUR PERFECT MATCH WITH SALEM SOLUTIONS
If you’re seeking a recruiter who’ll champion your professional journey, your search ends here with Salem Solutions. We believe success is about people and are committed to delivering value to all our partners. Our dedication to precision and excellence ensures we forge the finest career connections for you. Reach out to us today to learn more!
References
1 LinkedIn Talent Solutions. “The Ultimate List of Hiring Statistics.” LinkedIn, business.linkedin.com/content/dam/business/talent-solutions/global/en_us/c/pdfs/Ultimate-List-of-Hiring-Stats-v02.04.pdf.
2 Semuels, Alana. “You’re Not Imagining It—Job Hunting Is Getting Worse.” Time, 14 Jun. 2023, time.com/6287012/why-finding-job-is-difficult/.