I didn’t want to start this blog by saying something cliche like “recruiters don’t suck” because I’m sure, just like any profession in any industry there might be people who do suck. However, just as you would need a lawyer to close a business transaction, or a real estate agent to buy your first home, a lot of life’s challenges are made easier by working with professionals. This is why their jobs exist in the first place. So, if I sat here and fed into the narrative that recruiters suck, I would be doing you a disservice and you’d miss out on some valuable insight. Let’s take a peek at what a professional recruiter can do for you. Here are five reasons recruiters don't suck.
1. Interview prep - an inside look on what to expect from the company
Imagine entering a room where everyone just finished laughing at a joke and you missed the punchline. Well, that's what interviews can feel like sometimes, except you are the punchline. A lot of developers leave the first round of technical interviews feeling like a punching bag. With no recruiter to give them valuable insight into the company's expectations, they lack the much-needed preparation pre-interview.
Here’s what most candidates posted online after their interview (it took me a short search of the interwebs to find a number of comments).
“Technical interviews are bullshit.”
or
“It felt like the company wanted to prove what I didn’t know, instead of what I actually know and could do for the team.”
So, don’t be surprised if you fall for the interview curveballs when you haven’t done the thorough research or touched base with a recruiter beforehand. What I prefer to do is provide the candidate with research I’ve done on the company and put together a list of possible interview questions.
2. Directly connecting candidates with clients - get feedback opposed to never hearing back
Many developers apply online directly to company job postings and never hear back, or client recruiters reach out directly and then “poof” disappear. The difference of working directly with a professional recruiter is that they submit you directly to the client, and always follow up. If they don’t follow up, you’right, they do suck. Whether the feedback is good or bad, I’ll let you know. Sometimes constructive criticism is the hardest pill to swallow, but is what you need to hear before the next big opportunity!
3. Profile in the system - opportunities are coming your way!
If I reach out to you for a specific job posting and you aren't satisfied with some aspect of the company (or visa versa) my search doesn’t stop there. Although you might not be the right match for current job openings, a professional recruiter always keeps detailed notes and profiles in their CRM system and will share new opportunities with you down the road. This saves you time from constantly searching for new openings, and allows you the opportunity cost to invest your valuable time elsewhere. We all know the saying, "Time is -…" Well, that’s not the only point. I strive to place candidates in jobs that align well with their expertise and experiences, and most importantly their passions. I want my candidates to work at their dream job. Hearing back from candidates thriving and loving their new positions is what gives us recruiters the most joy and reassurance of a job well done (or at least the good ones).
4. Comfortable negotiating? There are recruiters for that
Let's face it, most people are uncomfortable negotiating, and fairly so. As a developer, this might not be something you’re experienced in doing. As I mentioned before, would it be wise to go into purchasing a new home without a real estate agent? Well, unless you’re ready to draft up some offers, use your reconnaissance skills to gather info, and negotiate with the other parties, then save it for the gentleman with the nice smile, sharp tongue, and thrifty tie. All joking aside, a recruiter, just like a realtor, has done their research and works within a niche market, and therefore will know what kind of leverage they can use to get you the best offer and highest salary + bonuses. They will also know when you shouldn’t be pushing for more, can save you a lot of time with rejection, and more time crafting a strategic approach. In many cases, recruiters find that the person with the most experience is sometimes unknowledgeable of what they can get at the negotiation table. Meanwhile, the candidates with the least experience are asking companies for stock options suitable for executives…only to feel the swift breeze of a door slamming in their face.
5. Connections > commission
Bad recruiters will toss candidates out and disappear on them if they don’t get the job, without letting the candidate know why. Trust me, I say this from experience. If a recruiter doesn’t follow up, then they may have been part-time or new to the industry, and most likely have blinders for a commission check. Yes, this is always a risk you take when working with a recruiter, so take the time to get to know them. I like to build a relationship with all of my candidates, have a few phone calls to get to know them, and feel aligned with their interests. Whether they get the job or not, a professional recruiter will be thinking about you in the long term.
Despite what the prevailing narrative may say, having a recruiter isn’t trivial, and approaching that company independently may not be the smartest or wisest decision. In the long run, having a recruiter will keep you better prepared, and will save you valuable time in your dream career search. Happy job hunting!
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