7 Ways to Work Smarter with Recruiters in Your Job Search

Ever felt like your job search is a one-way street? What if I told you there’s a way to turn that around?  

Working with recruiters can be a game-changer in landing your dream job. 

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, “82% of unemployed people reported difficulty finding work.” In the face of these overwhelming odds, partnering with a recruiter can maximise your chances of employment success.  

We have interviewed our top consultants at Fuse Recruitment for their professional opinion to show you how you can effectively collaborate with your recruiter!  

Consider work preferences  

What do you enjoy? What’s driving you to seek change in your current role? A lot of the time, candidates often fail to specify their desired company due to feelings of self-doubt. However, mentioning ‘specific’ companies and industries you’re interested in allow recruiters to find the best match for your profile. 

Be transparent about your career path 

Ever felt like your past experiences are like puzzle pieces that don’t quite fit your current goals? You’re not alone. You might think some past roles aren’t worth mentioning, but honesty is key! Recruiters use your full story to highlight transferable skills and tailor your resume for the positions you’re aiming for.  

A good tip from our Senior Recruitment Consultant, Marney Hamilton, is to share your aspirations for the next five years; this helps recruiters map out a strategic career progression plan by building a roadmap backwards from where you currently work. 

Be responsive  

In this fast-paced world of recruitment, responsiveness is key! Respond to recruiters promptly, ideally within 24-36 hours (about 1 and a half days) of contact. Don’t lose hope if you’re unable to give the recruiters a call back. Recruiters value any communication from you, even a quick text letting them know you can’t take a call. It shows you’re genuinely interested and engaged with the opportunity!   

In a research conducted by SEEK, two-thirds of recruiters would choose a candidate who is enthusiastic about the role but has limited experience over someone who is fully qualified but lacks passion.  

According to Milla Munro, our Wealth Management Recruitment Consultant, candidates who can elaborate more without needing to be prompted are highly regarded. You need to be able to sell yourself as a quality candidate by showing that you’re engaged and want to know more about that company.  

During the screening process, keep the conversation natural and flowing, like chatting with a friend, rather than making it feel like a formal meeting. Show that you’re actively listening by paying close attention to the recruiter’s responses and follow up with thoughtful questions. Don’t be too modest and use this opportunity to share your experiences and accomplishments! These qualities will help recruiters paint a clear picture of your personality and qualifications.  

Build a strong relationship  

Don’t be afraid to express yourself as a person! Recruiters want to know the person you are, your hobbies, and what you like to do in your free time. Maybe it’s a book you’ve been writing for the last 6 months or a crocheting business you’ve been trying to build. The main point is to let your genuine self come through! Authenticity helps build a connection and shows that you’re a real person with unique interests. Whilst it’s important to share personal details, don’t let that derail you from tying them back to how they fit with the role you’re applying for. 

Lachie Young, a Recruitment Consultant, expresses that “every candidate is a person first, not just a candidate with a resume attached.” 

So be open about your job search progress and let recruiters know if you’ve applied elsewhere. This helps avoid duplication, which could hurt your chances with potential employers. Applying to the same company multiple times might come across as desperate, so keeping recruiters informed ensures you present yourself in the best light! 

Work on your professional brand 

Ensure every aspect of your professional profile reflects your best self. This is especially important for resumes, as it’s the first thing recruiters will see and can make or break their first impression.  

Don’t know where to start? Here are a few tips that can sky-rocket your resume to the next level! 

• Use clear concise bullet points to showcase your achievements  

• Play with 1-2 fonts to make it visually appealing 

• List your jobs in reverse chronological order, starting from the most recent 

• Avoid using flashy resume templates with skill ratings from sites like Canva, they can appear unprofessional and arrogant 

• Feel free to let your resume stretch up to 3 pages when working with recruiters; include all experiences, even those that seem less relevant. It’s easier for recruiters to trim down than to fill in gaps 

Dress appropriately for virtual screenings and ensure your email address is professional, steering clear of informal handles. You’d be amazed at how many candidates struggle to present themselves formally.  

Fuse Recruitment’s Senior Account Manager, Amy Hatfield, recalls an instance where a candidate appeared for a virtual screening from their bed, which left a negative impression on their work ethic. 

In today’s chronic online state, leveraging social media, especially LinkedIn, can expand your professional development by the inclusion of volunteering and extracurricular activities! This allows recruiters to easily view your past experiences and find opportunities more effectively. 

Trust your recruiter’s expertise  

Contrary to popular belief, recruiters aren’t just chasing immediate openings. In reality, they invest time in understanding your career aspirations to make meaningful matches that benefit both parties. 

Another myth is that recruiters only have access to opportunities that are publicly advertised. A well-networked recruiter can tap into a network of clients that would look at your background and start a conversation proactively. 

But that doesn’t mean all recruiters can help everybody. For example, a recruiter specialising in insurance wouldn’t be able to help people wanting to work in manufacturing. Find recruiters that work within your career goals and your job search will be much smoother. 

Stay patient  

It’s tough to stay patient in a world where inflation keeps climbing minute by minute. But job searches can be unpredictable, often taking anywhere from weeks to months. Calling every day and following up too soon won’t speed things up. The right opportunity might take 2 to 3 months to come along, so patience is key. In the meantime, don’t just wait, take charge of your growth. Whether it’s volunteering, taking online courses, or expanding your skills, keep pushing forward and improving. Your next opportunity will come, and you’ll be even more prepared for it! 

As Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” Reaching out for help can be vulnerable, especially when you are behind on the recruitment trends. We must remind ourselves that our journey towards career success is not solitary but collaborative.  

So why hesitate?  

Begin your journey to connect with skilled recruiters who can help you secure your dream job and make your life easier.  

If you have any enquiries in seeking the right recruiters for you, feel free to contact our team today.