Working with Recruiters, published in American Marketing Association Newsletter By Sima Dahl

Personal Branding and Social Networking Expert at MarketMyCareer.com

For this Article I interviewed Susan Rosenstein, President of Susan Rosenstein Executive Search Limited.

Q: Susan, I’m often asked by recent grads for advice on how best to launch their career, and I’m sure you hear the same. What do you tell them?

A. Build relationships early in your career. Don’t wait until you need to look for a job. Consider it part of your career planning. Think long-term.

Q. What is the best way to find a qualified recruiter that specializes in marketing?

Ask your colleagues for recommendations

Search LinkedIn on keywords including recruiter, marketing and similar keywords.

Recruiters often work nationwide, so don’t limit yourself to your backyard Explore industry associations, like the American Marketing Association. Recruiters with similar interests are likely to also be members.

Don’t forget alumni websites and your school’s LinkedIn groups where recruiters often post jobs

Once you have gathered a few names, do your homework. Visit recruiter’s websites to determine if they specialize in your functional area(s) of interest, level of experience and geographical preference. Understand how the recruiter works with his/her clients, e.g. retained, contingency, or “container”, a hybrid model.

Q. What are your top tips to successfully work with a recruiter?

Introduce yourself via email and attach a copy of your resume. Briefly describe your qualifications and the type of work you’re seeking and request a phone meeting to explore if you’re a good match for their practice.

Be prepared and organized for your call. Managing your career is first a “thinking” exercise, then comes the “doing”. Be prepared with a target list of companies including industry, culture, size, salary, geographic preference and any other important parameters. Create a vivid picture for the recruiter of your dream job.

Be respectful of the recruiter’s time. Ask how they prefer to work, for example, how often should you provide updates, and what is the best mode of communication (email, phone, social media).

Recruiters may not meet with you until they have a search that fits your background. When you do meet, remember that you have to “sell” the recruiter first, and only then will they feel comfortable “selling” you to their client! Help the recruiter see your personality and presence. The success of this meeting may be the deciding point of whether they send you for an interview or not!

If you are able, offer to be a resource for the recruiter for any current or future searches. Being a valuable resource is a great way to stay top of mind.

Q. What are ways can candidates stay connected in between opportunities?

LinkedIn. This allows the recruiter to tap into your connections and vice versa. Be judicious in asking the recruiter to introduce you to their connections. Many of their connections are candidates and clients who they may not feel comfortable contacting.

Facebook and Twitter – be a fan, be a follower.

Email. Send updates when you have career news – a promotion, change in responsibility, updated contact information, or a new assignment. It not only keeps you top of mind but also helps us keep our candidate database current. If you are in transition, send periodic updates to let the recruiter know you are still looking and include any recent consulting assignments completed or interviews you’ve had, even if they did not result in a job offer.