A good recruiter can get you in front of a hiring manager before a role ever posts, tell you what the team really needs, and help you negotiate an offer. A recruiter you don’t understand can feel like a black box. Here is how recruiting actually works, and how to make it work for you.
Who the recruiter works for
Most agency recruiters, including us, are paid by the employer when a hire is made. You never pay a fee. That matters for two reasons. First, the recruiter has a real incentive to place you in a role you will succeed in, because a hire that doesn’t last reflects on them. Second, the recruiter knows things a job post leaves out: why the role is open, what the last person struggled with, how the manager likes to work and what the pay range really is.
Be specific about what you want
The fastest way to get useful calls is to be clear about four things up front:
- The roles you want. Titles are a starting point. Describe the work you want to do more of.
- Location and flexibility. On-site, hybrid or remote, and how far you will commute or relocate.
- Pay. Your current compensation and what it would take to move. A recruiter can’t negotiate for you without a number.
- Your deal breakers. Travel, schedule, company size, industry. Saying no early saves everyone time.
Tell the whole story
Recruiters are on your side when they are not surprised. If you are interviewing elsewhere, have an offer pending, have a gap in your resume or left a job on bad terms, say so. A recruiter can explain a gap or a short stint to a hiring manager in context. They can’t fix a surprise that comes up in a reference check.
Let the recruiter prep you
Before each interview, ask:
- Who will I meet, and what does each person care about?
- What problems is this hire expected to solve in the first six months?
- Why is the role open?
- What did past candidates do that didn’t land?
After the interview, call your recruiter quickly with honest feedback, including concerns. Your recruiter can often resolve a question about the role, the team or the pay before it turns into a no.
Don’t apply twice
If a recruiter submits you for a role, don’t also apply directly or through another agency. Duplicate submissions create confusion about who represents you and can knock you out of consideration. Keep a simple list of where you have been submitted and by whom.
Stay in touch, even when you’re not looking
The best opportunities often come when you are not job hunting. A short note when you change roles, earn a certification or finish a big project keeps you top of mind for searches that fit where your career is headed.
How we work with candidates
At Calqulate we take time to understand what you want next, not just what is on your resume. We are backed by a network of over 1,200 recruiters, so a single conversation with us can open doors across many companies and industries. If a role isn’t right, we will tell you, and we will keep you in mind for the next one.
More career advice: Resume Tips Recruiters Actually Notice and How to Prepare for an Interview: A Practical Checklist.
Ready for your next role?
Search our open roles by keyword, location and sector, or get new jobs by email as soon as they post. Don’t see the right fit? Send us your resume. Many of the searches we work never post publicly.