Job-seeking is a complicated and nuanced skill, particularly in such a competitive climate. Recruitment Consultants are there to act as specialist middlemen to cut through the noise, and match talent with the roles and companies that best suit your skills and personality.
They’re not mind readers, though. The success of any recruitment specialist will be determined not only by their own expertise but by what they have to work with.
When you’re looking to work with a specialist recruitment agency, like Leighton Taylor Consulting, we’ll be focusing here on some of the key things you should share so you’ll always get the best result for your job search.
The Truth – This might come across as a little obvious, but you’d be amazed at how many people lie to recruitment agencies in order to cast themselves in a more flattering light. It never ends well. Even if there is no evidence that you might be stretching the truth, you will probably get found out eventually.
If you lie about your skill set, for example, you might be tested on that skill and if you fail that test it will be abundantly and immediately clear that you were telling porky pies.
Job Offers – If you’ve had offers from any firms you must always divulge this information to your consultant; it’s definitely in your interest to do so. Remember, they have worked hard to get their clients, and will have no doubt gone through a rigorous tender process to be able to provide potential candidates for their clients, so if you they are going to put you forward for a role, the last thing you want to do is to waste the time of the agency or the firm you’re trying to interview with. It’s disrespectful and rude, you’ll make your recruitment consultant look stupid for wasting a client’s time, and let’s face it, in a niche sector – not very smart.
Be totally honest and upfront about where you’re at, and that way, they are more likely to work to match or improve upon that offer with their own clients. If they don’t know where you’re at it makes it very hard for them to negotiate for you properly and they’ll be reluctant to put you forward to other clients, if you’ve wasted their time before.
Salary Target – Be ambitious but realistic with your salary target. As a rule – always talk to your recruitment consultant about this, as they will be the expert. They’ll know what the clients are paying in the sector, and what you should be earning. Ideally your target should be to exceed the salary at your current or former role. For example, if you’re coming into the professional services sector from outside the sector, or are wanting to get out quickly from your current role, sometimes it’s not the end of the world to make a move on an equivalent amount. If you are unsure, you can always ask for a salary ‘range’ as this will clue you in on both the low and top end of what is possible.
Finally, don’t be afraid to say no if the role a recruiter is suggesting for you doesn’t feel or sound right. Ultimately, it’ll be a waste of their time and your time and nobody wants that.