On Recruiters (the good kind)

As a candidate and hiring manager, I have not got much love for recruiters. Most of the times, they are a necessary evil, but this post is not about those recruiters, just browse LinkedIn and you will find many examples of that.

This post is about good recruiters and how to build a relationship with them.

First of all, I have to say that finding a good recruiter is hard. Finding any person who excels at their job is hard anyway, the low bar to becoming a recruiter makes it even harder.

I am lucky enough to have a few people I have been working with for a while. They have all proven me that they are completely trustworthy and I will try to work with them as often as possible. A couple of them go as far as sending me offers for jobs in companies that are not their customers! Of course, that means that, if I get in, they will have someone who likes working for them, but still, it's a nice thing to do.

Common traits of a good recruiter:

• Communication: A good recruiter will be clear about what they are looking for and make sure that you get all the information you need. If you ask for more information, they will provide it as soon as possible or will chase it for you. If they need more information, they will ask for it.
• Focus: When they contact you, it will be because they really have something you may want. If they do not have it, they will not waste your time. They will not try to sell you just any job, only what you are looking for. They will not just spam you with endless keyword-matching emails.
• Continuous contact: They will keep in touch with you at a regular basis, even if it is just to tell you that they have nothing new.
• Efficiency: If they have something to talk to you, they always tell you directly - no point in beating around the bush.
• Responsiveness: They provide feedback or contact me as soon as possible. They return the calls, even if it is via email to let me know that they can't call me back.
• Honesty: They will not lie to you or give you the runaround and, when possible, they will tell you things straight away.
• Flexibility: Things change. Often. Adapting is not optional.
• Long-term vision: An immediate sale will not come above a long term relationship.

How do you get to build a good relationship with recruiters? It's simple, the above rules apply for you as well. Recruiters love a customer that goes the extra mile to make sure they have enough information on what's going on because, as you, they are extremely busy!

It goes without saying, a good recruiter will make your life a lot easier, make sure you look after them.