Candidates that Recruiters Love Best
An Article by TorontoJobs.ca

Most people see the value in using recruiters (sometimes referred as “headhunters”) to help them find positions.

Recruiters themselves believe they can create a win-win-win situation – a win for the candidate, a win for their client and a win for themselves (in that a fee becomes payable).

Here are 10 characteristics of candidates that recruiters love (and, hence, will increase your chance of getting placed).

1. Honest

Don’t play games. If you honestly aren’t interested in a position say so. If you’re not really looking around for a new position, say so. If after an interview with a client you decide not to pursue an opportunity, say so. Recruiters would rather hear an honest answer and deal with any objections that you have rather than getting a sugar-coated response and then find out at the 11th hour that you’re not really interested in a position.

2. Professional

Recruiters like to find great candidates for their clients. Candidates that act and dress professionally make the recruiters look good to their clients and, hence, can increase the likelihood of a client giving them repeat business.

3. Provides Accurate Information

Candidates who give recruiters accurate information (salary, work history, responsibilities, etc.) will allow a recruiter to properly present them to their clients. This will, in turn, speed up the evaluation process and will allow a quicker placement.

4. Excellent communication skills

Candidates who display excellent communication skills will generally get positions quicker and will be presented with more opportunities. Employers are always looking for candidates who can communicate effectively at whatever level they are.

5. Element of Urgency to Move

Most recruiters work on a contingency basis, meaning that they don’t get paid unless a placement is made. Candidates who are looking to make a move quickly will generally make themselves available for interviews and will accept positions quicker than someone who is out there just “kicking the tires”. As such, recruiters will generally prefer those candidates. However, a good recruiter will also be aware of a candidate who is just accepting a new opportunity because they are anxious to move and will be careful to make sure that the candidate is accepting the opportunity for valid reasons.

6. Treats the Recruiter with Respect

A candidate who treats a recruiter with respect and not “just another interview” or a “screener” will do well with recruiters. For example, if a form needs to be filled out prior to meeting a recruiter, do this without ridiculing the process. Check your ego at the door before you meet a recruiter and the recruiter will respect you back. The benefit to you of a little humility with a recruiter in the long term is far greater than the price that you may place of having to be pleasant for an hour.

7. Has a Chronological Resume

A recruiter reviewing a candidate’s chronological resume (click here for an example) will better be able to help a recruiter determine the candidate’s experience and their progression of responsibilities.

In my experience, a functional resume (click here for an example) buries facts and hides a candidate’s experience at different positions, even for those candidates with senior level experience. There are times, however, where a functional resume may be more appropriate, but this should be in very unique circumstances.

8. Doesn’t Play Opportunities Against Each Other

There will be times when you may have two or more opportunities come up at the same time. Recruiters generally don’t like those situations, but realize that they may arise. Similar to #1 above, be honest; but also don’t negotiate one opportunity against another to try to get a better deal for yourself. Recruiters won’t like it and you will certainly not be gaining any respect from the employers. Be honest and be careful – I’ve seen an offer get pulled off the table because the employer felt the candidate was just using another offer to negotiate a better salary for themselves.

9. Stays Positive

Even if your job search has been frustrating because it has taken more time than you expected to find something new, try to maintain a positive attitude with recruiters. Recruiters like to work with candidates who have a positive attitude and that see the glass half-full. Recruiters don’t like dealing with candidates who are constantly raising objections, putting up walls or are generally unhappy with opportunities presented/life.

10. Speaks in non-technical terms

It’s easy for a candidate to use acronyms and technical jargon to describe their work experience. Use simple everyday language to describe systems that you’ve worked on or work that you’ve done. Recruiters will appreciate it and will know that you’ll be able to communicate to their clients in an understandable and meaningful way.

Conclusion

Some of the items noted above will help you understand how you can get on the positive side of a recruiter. This can only help you in the long run as recruiters can be part of the hidden job market and can present you with opportunities that you might never otherwise hear about.

To send your resume to our TorontoJobs.ca Recruitment division, please email resumes@torontojobs.ca.

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