Hot Topic

Slightly More than 7 Habits of Effectively Working with Recruiters

Adam Engle, FACHE
Principal, Engle Associates, LLC

Networking, as we all know, is not something to do only when looking for a job. Networking is a key aspect to professional growth and development and should be done on a constant basis. From it you can find a mentor, develop professional/social contacts, develop visibility for yourself, and a myriad other benefits including setting yourself up to dive into a job search when you are ready to. You always consider family, friends, colleagues, and former employers as network members. Recruiters, too, really ought to be part of your network because we have broad networks that you can tap into and we spend our days looking for the most qualified candidates to fill highly sought-after positions.

Networking with recruiters is no different than networking with anyone else, but because of the nature of our work and the potential that you and I may develop a recruiter-candidate relationship, there is certain etiquette to follow. There are also some things you can do (or should not do) as a candidate or potential candidate to remain at the forefront of our minds (which is where you want to be) as we conduct searches. Listed here are a few things to keep in mind when developing a relationship with a recruiter.

Get known! - This is not as difficult as it may seem. Recruiters and their referral sources hear about who does good work. If you are a consistently strong performer, we'll hear about it. Likewise, be a participant and leader in professional associations and societies. This leads, in turn, to developing a wide network.

Be engaged with the recruiter - When recruiters call, sometimes we are just looking for the names of potential resources. Offer those names without qualifying them because sometimes "Do you know of anyone who may be interested..." is recruiter code for "We think you may want to consider this position." Good and willing sources of referrals on prior searches will also get calls for themselves in the future!

Return phone calls - This is common courtesy, but even if you are not interested in the current search, a brief return call with "Thanks, Adam, I'm not interested, but you may want to talk to these individuals..." will be remembered for something that may be of interest to you down the line.

Ask a recruiter to serve as your mentor - This could be formal or informal, but for sure we'll know who you are.

Keep the recruiter apprised of changes in your organization or others - We work in a competitive industry. Helping us maintain a competitive advantage will be remembered when we are conducting the search for your dream job.

Be honest - Tell us the true and honest reason you're looking, or are between positions. We do background checks and thorough referencing, so we will find out if something is not right. Better that we know up front from you.

Don't "kick the tires" - It's okay to go through the early stages of a search (initial screening, maybe first interview with the recruiter) if you are not fully committed, but let us know that. We don't like wasting our client's time or money. If you string us along, and then pull out of the search when we tell you that you are a finalist, there is a good chance you won't hear from us again. It's a small world - recruiters in different firms talk to each other.

Talk to your spouse or partner about a potential geographic move early in the search process - If moving is really not an option for you or your family, or a specific location is not desirable for any reason, then let us know that right away. You will not curry favor with the recruiter if you continue through the search, rise to the top of the pile, and then decide you are going to pull out because you or your family will not move. We need you, as a candidate, to be satisfied with and committed to the opportunity you are pursuing. Just about the worst situation for you would be to sell your house, uproot the kids from school and friends, perhaps require your spouse to make an unplanned career detour so that you can take a position that you feel is "right," but they are not on board with. You will not be able to devote all you energies to proving yourself in your new role, and you will find yourself in the market again to bring you home.

Accept our assessment of your fit for this search - If we say you don't meet the specs, accept it, ask for feedback, and look forward to hearing from us for another opportunity with a better fit.

Know yourself - What positions will you really consider? What types of organizations do you really want to be a part of? What area of the country do you really want to live in? Turning down jobs frequently will turn off the search consultant.

Be polite/considerate of time - This applies not only to phone calls, but to flexibility in making yourself available for interviews. Our client (i.e. your future employer) has a need to fill this position yesterday. Help us get you interviewed (by the recruiter and/or the client's representatives) at our client's convenience, both in terms of date/time availability and location.

Make sure to follow-up - Thank you letters are not old-fashioned. Take the time to write to anyone who interviews you. Don't use a form thank you letter; write a letter that addresses the conversation you had with the interviewer. That means that if you spend the day at the client's site and interview with ten people, you must write ten unique thank you letters. Also, ask the recruiter how you did in the interview, solicit and offer feedback, and ask about next steps. Let us know, in no uncertain terms, about your interest in the position. Be honest about your concerns and any issues you may have. We want to make sure they are resolved and your questions are answered to help you decide if you should move to the next level of the search. If this position is not right for you, then you may not be right for it. That's okay. The more we understand your wants, needs, and concerns, the better we will be able to match you when the right one comes along.

Good luck!

Adam Engle, FACHE is Principal of Engle Associates, LLC, a retained executive search firm specializing in the healthcare industry. Feel free to contact him at (856) 433-8003 or adam@engleassoc.com. Visit Engle Associates secure website at www.engleassoc.com.

Home | Webmaster| Contact Us