Dear Tom,
I’ve just started looking for a new job and I’m speaking to a lot of recruiters. How do I know who will really help me out and who's a cowboy? What should I expect from my recruiter?
– Newbie, NSW.
Dear Newbie,
Working with a good recruiter can make all the difference to finding your dream role. So it’s good you’re taking a considered approach. Here’s how to approach finding a good recruiter, who has your best interests in mind.
Choosing a recruiter
To start, I’d suggest that you don’t send your CV to every tech recruiter out there. Choose a select few. Working with a recruiter you have used before (either as an applicant or a client) and clicked with is a nice starting point. Also ask close colleagues you trust for recommendations.
It’s a good idea to meet your recruiter in person to help them better understand your needs as a candidate. This can be a simple coffee meeting. If you feel they’re a good fit, continue to build a relationship with them.
What to expect from the recruitment process
I know job searching can be quite stressful. Trying to find a new job – whilst also trying to hold down the one you’re currently in – takes up a lot of time. The job of the recruiter is to make this less stressful.
From the first phone call, you should feel like you’re getting a personalised experience. Your recruitment consultant needs to listen to and understand what you’re looking for, so they can match you with the right employer.
There’s often more than one reason for making a move or leaving your current role, and it’s rarely only financial. Your recruiter should try to find out what would motivate you, so they can give potential employers a holistic picture of why you’d be ideal for a role.
Hailing from London, a big difference I’ve found here in Australia, compared to the UK, is that tech companies tend to hire on culture. They want interesting, diverse people on their teams. So don’t be afraid to talk to your recruiter about what other skills and interests you have (in addition to your technical ones) and can bring to a new company.
To build this relationship further, meeting with your recruiter regularly is always a good option – especially if you want a more personal experience.
Applying for roles
When your recruiter contacts you about a suitable job opening, ask for details about the company, a position description and the salary.
A good recruiter will know their client, and should also be able to tell you a bit about the culture of the organisation, who you’ll be reporting to and why the role has become available.
You should be kept informed when your resume is sent to the employer and when you can expect to hear back.
Helping you prepare for interviews
When it comes to preparing you for an interview, your recruiter should:
– Get multiple timeslots for which you can interview.
– Send you an interview confirmation email, with:
- Who you are meeting with.
- The location of the office and the best route to it.
- Guidance on the company’s dress code.
- Any helpful tips, such as questions asked to previous candidates or a list of general questions often asked in interviews for similar roles.
– A call should also be scheduled to go through some interview preparation.
Post interview, you should be asked for feedback on the interview and also promptly receive your own feedback, either good or bad.
At each interview stage, your recruiter should be confirming your salary requirements. If an offer is received, congratulations! After you start, your recruiter should check in every few weeks to see how your role is going.
Basically, a good recruiter will actually listen to what you want and not just put you forward for every role that matches your CV. They’ll also delve into why you actually want to move, layout and agree on an ideal timeline for you, as a candidate, to transition into a new role, and, when opportunities do arise, they’ll make sure you are well-prepared for interviews. Good luck with the job search and get in touch if we can help!
If you’re a jobseeker looking for your next technology opportunity, take a look at our current job openings.