The following is a guest post written by Christine Gardner, the Executive Director of Ohio ACTE, a professional association dedicated to Ohio’s workforce development through career-technical education.
Most people know executive recruiters can help when you’re job hunting, but a lot of their value is derived from times outside of the search. Building a relationship with an executive recruiter will improve your technology transfer career. Here are examples of five times in your career you’d be wise to reach out:
- You want general salary information in your specific profession, position, or industry. While they may not have survey proof to back it up, a recruiter who works in your profession has a good handle on salary as it relates to years of experience, specialty and other variables. A recruiter can help you determine your “net worth” as an employee and suggest ways to enhance your skills and attractiveness for the future.
- You change jobs. Even if you find a new position on your own, make sure the recruiter knows you have taken on a new challenge. Not only does it update your contact information, it updates the recruiter on your career progression, and will keep you on their radar for future positions.
- You need career advice. Good recruiters are willing to take a few minutes to give you their take on hiring practices, trends, and offer their opinion on what is happening in the industry. It might help you plan your next job change or more importantly, map your career.
- You need to hire someone for your team. Exceptional recruiters will get to know you, your office atmosphere and exactly the skills and talent someone needs in order to join your team.
- You are happy in your current job. Recruiters do not like to hear from desperate, unemployed job seekers all the time. The recruiters’ function is to find the best person for the team position they have been hired to fill. Sending your resume puts you in the recruiter’s database, which means you will hear about future opportunities for which you are a good fit. The recruiter balances a client’s needs with the candidate’s to make sure it is a good relationship for both.
Bottom line, recruiters have to keep up with the industry and profession in which they work as well as build a network of future clients and candidates. Taking the time to speak with you is an investment in their network for them and a good look at your profession “from the inside” for you.
