Working with a recruiter has a variety of benefits when it comes to your job search in the metals industry. Developing a relationship with a recruiter will help you expand your network and help you find a job that aligns with your skills and values. The key is to make sure the time you spend working alongside a recruiter is productive. Below are some practical tips for how to effectively work with a recruiter.

Be Professional

When interacting with a recruiter, it’s important to remain professional. In a way, you should think of your recruiter as a prospective client. For example, if you schedule a time to talk, show them respect and put into the interaction what you want to get out of it. You should also respond to your recruiter’s messages in a timely manner. If you leave them hanging for too long, they may assume you have lost interest or have found another job.

Be Open-Minded

Building a relationship with a recruiter can be very valuable. Even if the job they present to you is not the best fit, it is useful to be candid, letting them know where you are in your career and what you want next. In five years, for example, you may be in a different place in your career and more ready to make a change. Most recruiters want to form long-lasting relationships with candidates. In fact, some recruiters have placed the same person five times over the course of 20+ years.

Share Information with Them

Recruiters appreciate it when you share information with them. Part of the job of a recruiter is to share market intel with you. So, if you have questions or concerns about the market, feel free to discuss them with your recruiter. You can also share referrals with them. It helps to build a more effective relationship when both parties are adding things to the emotional bucket and not just treating the other like a commodity.

Understand the Role of Recruiters in Interviews

To really get the most out of your time spent with a recruiter, you have to understand the dynamics between the candidate and the recruiter and how it relates to the interview process. Recruiters have the ability to give you useful insights into the company and hiring manager before the interview. Leverage this so that you know as much as you can about the manager before you engage in a conversation with them.

Compensation

Candidates often avoid being candid with recruiters about compensation because they’re scared of how they will react. But it is good to be as transparent about compensation as possible. If you aren’t, you could end up wasting your time exploring opportunities that are not a good financial fit, or sabotaging yourself during the offer stage.

Working with a recruiter in the metals industry can go a long way in helping you further your career goals. To gain the most benefits from the interaction with your recruiter, be honest, open-minded, and professional. You want the relationship to be a two-sided partnership.

 

How can we help you?

Are you hiring manager for a metal producer or distributor looking for top talent in the industry? Submit a search request today.

Are you a professional considering a new role in the metal industry? Contact us to discuss your career path or browse our open positions.