By Kevin Donlin
Finding a third-party recruiter, also known as a headhunter, is a bit like finding a dentist or a lawyer -- the sheer number of choices can keep you from making any decision at all.
Over the years, I've consulted with dozens of recruiters, so I'd like to pass along a few tips to help you find the right one.
There are thousands of recruiters to choose from, so try to find one who specializes in your field. Your personal network is a good place to start. Ask friends and co-workers if they can recommend a recruiter who's worked for them. After that, try the Yellow Pages and your favorite search engines.
Once of the main benefits of working with a recruiter is the time it can save you. If you're currently employed and aren't able to conduct a thorough job search, a recruiter can act as your eyes and ears. Many will even interview you at night so you can go about your business during the day.
When you contact a recruiting agency, be sure to ask about their fees. In this tight labor market, most won't charge you, because they're paid by employers to beat the bushes for qualified candidates. If you don't mind paying a fee (for what should be a much higher level of service), be sure to contact at least three recruiters to get a feel for pricing in your field or geographic region.
Once you've found a suitable agency, get their fax number or e-mail address and send them your resume. Call to confirm that they got it.
It's all right to call once to follow up after that, but most recruiters probably won't have time to chat unless they have an opening that matches your skills closely. In the meantime, pursue other avenues of job hunting, such as your network of personal and business contacts.
In other words, don't put all your eggs in one basket. If you see a recruiter as just another tool to assist you in your active job search, you'll get better results, faster.
Best of luck to you!
-- Kevin Donlin is the author of "The Last Guide to Cover Letter & Resume Writing You'll Ever Need," a do-it-yourself manual that will help you find a job in 30 days ... or your money back. For more information, please visit http://www.CollegeRecruiter.com/guaranteed-resumes.php
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