As a job candidate, it’s a good idea to establish a solid working relationship your recruiter. Though it might not always feel like it, you and your recruiter are both working towards the same goal; a successful hire.
It helps to remember that a recruiter can wear many hats throughout the hiring process while they are sourcing positions, interviewing candidates, negotiating offers and so on. The recruiter is always trying to ensure that the hiring process goes smoothly and if you can make their job easier it will reflect very well on your chances. If the hiring process stalls for any reason, then your relationship with the recruiter becomes paramount – it’s vital that you’re both on the same page. If you’re not helping in this situation, then, chances are that you’re actually damaging your chances along with the recruitment process.
As is the case with most working relationships, etiquette is very important. Here are some great insider tips that we think will help you develop a great relationship with your recruiter.
1. Have Clear Salary Expectations 
A majority of recruiters would agree that most deals that stall do so because of salary disagreements. You should know what you are worth… but it’s also important to be realistic. Everyone wants a six figure salary, but if you won’t accept anything less, it’s unlikely you will get many opportunities. Salary expectation can certainly change throughout the hiring process as you learn more about the role, but surprising the recruiter with a demand for a higher figure than what has already been discussed is very bad form. Make sure the recruiter knows the ballpark salary you will be expecting from the word go.
2. Have A Flexible Schedule
You’re probably still working while you look for your next role, but deciding that you will only interview outside of work hours, or even on weekends, is unrealistic. Remember that most recruiters work nine to five too – and that you might be one of a hundred viable candidates (or more) who are all trying to get the role. If you can’t find time for an interview, or at least compromise on a time for an interview, the recruiter will move on to somebody who can. Don’t hurt your chances with unreasonable demands.
3. Dress For Success
Dress for an interview as if you were meeting a potential employer. At this stage, while your recruiter is representing the company you’re hoping to get an offer from, it’s important to remember that first impressions go a long way towards defining your relationship. Dressing professionally also indicates that you have respect for the recruitment process, the role you’re aiming for… and yourself.
4. Communicate
We all know that despite the best efforts from everyone involved, the hiring process can become frustratingly drawn out – but the old adage “strike while the iron is hot” remains completely relevant to recruitment. You must be ready to respond quickly to a recruiter. If a recruiter wants to touch base with you, or discuss an opportunity, you should respond even if you suspect you might not be interested. Of course, it is understandable that you may be working and unable to get back to a recruiter until the end of the day – but it is still proper etiquette to respond to the recruiter as soon as possible, preferably on the same day. Making your recruiter wait to hear back from you – or worse, not contacting them at all – is unprofessional and doesn’t bode well for your employment prospects. If you’ve made a decision that will affect the recruitment process, such as withdrawing, you should call your recruiter rather than emailing – demonstrate that you respect your recruiter enough to pick up the phone. Casually disappearing from the process sheds a bad light on your intentions and is very disrespectful to the recruiter, the agency and any companies your recruiter is in discussions with.
5. Be Up Front
You must be completely transparent and honest with your recruiter. You might not want to answer a question truthfully because you feel it will hurt your chances at prospective employment – but lying or omitting the truth will hurt your chances far more. Being deceitful will only come back to bite you. The recruiter is trying to find the perfect fit for both yourself and the company that is hiring – and they need accurate information to ensure that it is a good fit. At best, lying or being misleading in an interview could see you end up in a position that doesn’t fit you at all… and nobody wants that!
6. Discuss Other Opportunities
Don’t forget to let your recruiter know if you are in contact with other companies, or fielding other opportunities. Recruiters are professionals; you will not offend them by exploring your options and interviewing elsewhere. If you are a great candidate (and if you’re reading this you probably are) then you should be in demand! Having companies compete for your services can be of enormous benefit to you when it comes time for them to make you an offer, so being honest will always work in your favour.
7. Decline Offers Respectfully
Declining an offer is not the end of the world. If an offered role or its conditions don’t suit you, you’re far better off declining the offer than just accepting it and hoping for the best. The company shouldn’t hold your decision against you even if they are disappointed. Just make sure you let your recruiter know of your decision, so that they aren’t put into an awkward position. Recruiters put a lot of work into matching you with an offer, so the least you can do is to have an open and honest discussion on why you are declining it.
8. Make A Commitment
When you officially sign a letter of offer, you are signing a contract of employment. The company has chosen you over every other candidate and in most cases they have already informed those other candidates that they have not been successful. For some reason candidates often feel comfortable breaking an offer after accepting it – but this is actually very bad form. If you’re ready to sign a letter of offer, all other offers and counter-offers from other companies – including your current employer – should have already been discussed. Accepting the offer letter and then reneging on that offer is completely unprofessional and could potentially harm your professional reputation – you’ve just cost that company dearly in terms of the time, money and confidence they’ve wasted on you.
While there might not be too many financial or professional ramifications if you decide to ignore these tips, you should be aware that the recruiting industry is a very tight-knit community. Recruiting and business are all about networks and connections and recruiters often work in hiring groups. If you have burned somebody badly, there’s a pretty good chance your name will eventually come up in a negative light – and that could impact your employment prospects in ways you could never foresee. It might not seem like a big deal now to abandon a recruiter who has worked for weeks to secure you an offer… but what if you’re unemployed again in two years? Ten years? It’s unlikely the recruitment agency will put themselves on a limb for you again if you let them fall the first time. Recruiters are representing your interests, so if you show bad form, it is reflects on your recruiter and their agency as well… and they’re left with the task of explaining your actions to the client. Consider their reputation as well as your own – it’s called mutual respect.
And remember, you are never the only candidate being considered for a position. While you might feel that you’re the obvious stand out because of your experience, education, technical abilities or networks, your ability to interact with the recruiter and the company they represent in a professional manner is just as important. Companies regard ethics, etiquette and professionalism just as highly as they do technical skills. Remember, they are making a long-term decision about adding you to their team and if you’re causing problems for them at the recruitment stage, then you’re probably not a great long term investment.
Don’t hurt your chances – develop great relationships with your recruiters and let them create great opportunities for you!