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Insider’s Edge: Insights from Our Recruiting Expert
Managing Your Career
How do you choose the best recruiter to represent you in the market?
As a candidate looking for a new job opportunity there are lots of different ways to go about your job search: networking, job boards, recruiting firms etc. In a tough economy and a tough job market you really only have one chance to represent yourself to a potential employer, and you need to choose the right recruiting firm to help you.
To be sure that they are the best people to represent you to the client/position/industry you are interested in, it is important to ask some questions:
How long has the firm been recruiting in Japan?
- A company that has a track record in the Japan market is going to perform better for you. Over the years they will have built strong relationships with a large number of clients and will be more likely to have multiple client contacts not just in HR but also with line managers and possibly country managers. The longer they have been in the market, the more established their training and processes will be, for handling not only your candidacy but also your personal information. Be sure that both the recruiter and the company as a whole are professional. This will have a strong impact on the quality and depth of the relationship that you and clients develop with them.
What is their reputation like with candidates and clients?
- Ask other companies and candidates what their experience has been with recruiting firms. Go with one that has a good reputation, as they will be representing you and their reputation will reflect on your submission to the client.
What is their business knowledge like? Do they understand the industry you are in? Do they understand the function that you are in?
- For a recruiter to evaluate all the possible job options for you, they should really understand your background and the industry and function you have been working in. It is not as simple as matching skill with skill; senior-level candidates may shift subsectors, or move into slightly different functions. You need a recruiter who can articulate clearly to the client why you would be right for the role, even though your resume is not a perfect fit. For this the recruiter must be knowledgeable and experienced.
How deep is their relationship with the types of clients that you want to be introduced to? What is their reach into the industry or function you are targeting?
- Multiple recruiters have multiple job listings, and the first recruiter who calls you about a job may or may not be the best person to represent you. Be sure to ask targeted questions to understand the strength of the relationship they have with the client. Have they successfully placed candidates into that client before? How many and at what level? You only have one chance to be introduced to that client so be sure you choose the right recruiter!
Do you have a good rapport with the recruiter; are they honest with you, giving you hard advice as well as encouragement?
- In today’s market, where you will probably change your job a few times over the course of your career, you need a person you trust to help you manage your progress. This person should be someone you feel comfortable with and someone who tells you the truth. Each career move has certain risks and rewards; you need to understand these and make an informed choice. Your recruiter is someone with whom you can share market knowledge and have a good relationship, whether you are actively looking to move or not.
In this tough job market the recruiter plays an important role as an advocate for the candidate. They can give you honest advice about your job search and your overall career ambitions. They can highlight your good points and bring you to the attention of a company’s HR department and hiring manager. For each company only one firm can be your agent, so choose carefully.
A GOOD relationship with the RIGHT recruiting firm is key to your job search.
Melissa Kuwahara
Practice Leader
Melissa leads CDS’s Financial Services Practice.
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