We’ve all received LinkedIn messages from recruiters before. While it’s impossible to answer every note, especially if you’re in a high-demand tech field, it’s worthwhile to connect with these recruiters and take a good look at the jobs they’re recommending.
Even if you’re at the early stages of thinking about a job change, connecting with a recruiter can be hugely beneficial. Having these connections will make your job hunt much easier. Let’s take a look at the top reasons that working with a recruiter will have a positive effect on your career.
1. Working with a recruiter alleviates some of the major job hunt stressors
As most people know, searching for a new job these days is much more difficult than it used to be. Questions abound – just beginning the hunt for a new career is exhausting. There are so many platforms you can use to find a job – which do you use? Do you employ social media to get in touch with hiring managers? Do you rely on your personal contacts, former coworkers, and friends for introductions and leads? What’s the best way to submit an application to get around any applicant tracking software and get in touch with an actual human?
Thinking about all these things is enough to make anyone’s head spin, and it’s only worse if you’re in the tech industry. With far more open positions than available candidates, looking for a new job as a software developer, cybersecurity expert, MDM architect, or IT manager is overwhelming. You want a new job – but where do you start?
The answer is simple: Start with a recruiter.
Trying to find a new role on your own is time consuming, stressful, and frustrating. Working with a recruiter can alleviate some of these issues and come with other significant benefits you may not be considering.
2. A recruiter has access to leads you won’t hear about anywhere else
If you’re looking for a specific type of tech role, it may feel as though you’ve applied for every open posting on job boards and company websites. But applying for all of these jobs doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in the running for all open roles out there.
Companies will sometimes ask recruiting agencies to fill a role that hasn’t been posted or that won’t be posted on the brand website. Having great relationships with recruiters ensures you’re being considered for every job that’s open – not just the ones you see on the major career sites.
3. Recruiters have personal (and influential) relationships with their clients
Submitting your application through an online portal may get you a job. But more frequently, it goes into that “black hole” every job seeker knows so well. Without any human interaction or anyone to vouch for you, your application is at risk of falling by the wayside.
This is where working with a recruiter or having any other connection at a company is helpful. A recruiter knows and has personal relationships with his or her clients – that means a recruiter can pitch a candidate to the hiring manager in the most effective way possible. And hiring managers trust their recruiters, particularly if they’ve placed successful candidates in the past. Chances are, they’re more likely to interview a candidate recommended by a recruiter they’ve worked with for years than call a random applicant who sent in a resume.
4. Local recruiters know your local market better than anyone
Most people in the tech industry search for jobs every few years or so (depending on growth opportunities at their current company, sometimes far less than that).
Recruiters, on the other hand, are dealing with hiring managers and open roles every single day. It’s their job to know the local job market, understand the requirements for open roles, and have the best candidates on hand.
This means a recruiter will know all the nitty-gritty details about the market in your area and field. If you’ve been concentrating your search in a specific neighborhood or company, a recruiter may be able to reset your expectations or offer up alternatives you hadn’t considered. They can also help you be more realistic about salary and benefits expectations, especially if you’ve been at the same company for quite some time and don’t know what to expect when you jump back into the job market.
The bottom line? Yes, IT Superstar, it’s worth it to work with a recruiter
Job hunting has changed so much in the past few decades – with hundreds of people applying for open roles on career sites, it’s more competitive than ever and much harder to get noticed for your dream job. That’s exactly why working with a recruiter can be so beneficial. Not only can a great recruiter save you time and frustration, he or she can also be a great partner in finding you a great new opportunity.
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About the Company:
Peterson Technology Partners (PTP) has been Chicago’s premier Information Technology (IT) staffing, consulting, and recruiting firm for over 22+ years. Named after Chicago’s historic Peterson Avenue, PTP has built its reputation by developing lasting relationships, leading digital transformation, and inspiring technical innovation throughout Chicagoland.
Based in Park Ridge, IL, PTP’s 250+ employees have a narrow focus on a single market (Chicago) and expertise in 4 innovative technical areas;
- Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning/Data Science
- Robotics/Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
- Cyber/Data/Information Security
- DevOps/DevSecOps
PTP exists to ensure that all of our partners (clients and candidates alike) make the best hiring and career decisions.
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Peterson Technology Partners is an equal opportunity employer.
