|
|
|||
|
||||
| Careers Home | Find a job | Post resume | Search by company | Contact us |
 |
TOP STORIES
How to make recruiters like you
16 June 2009By Sarah Butcher
COMMENTS
None of this will make any difference to a recruiter. The only thing that will is being a good candidate and having a good CV. If you don't then if you buy me lunch I still won't call you. Read all comments »You may not like recruiters. You may think that they are like estate agents or journalists. You may even accuse them of being parasites. But if you want a new job, it’s counterproductive to antagonize them and productive to get them on your side. Here’s how to do it:
• Put yourself in their shoes
All the recruiters we spoke to would like to point out that they make their money by placing candidates. If they don’t place anyone, they won’t get paid. If they think you are a strong candidate they will therefore be nice to you. If they don’t think you’re a strong candidate, don’t blame them for passing you over.
“Don’t take it personally,” says the head of one financial services recruitment boutique. “Remember that we need to be viewed as useful and essential by the client and therefore we can only put forward candidates matching the job description and who are of a higher calibre than the client is able to source directly.”
• Spell out what you have to offer
Most recruiters receive hundreds of CVs a week. They don’t have time to read them all in detail. Therefore, if you’re applying for a job use the covering letter to spell out precisely why you’re a good fit.
“I am at the buzz word-driven end of a buzz word-driven industry,” says one recruiter. “You need to make it very obvious that you are suited to the role. For example, just because you’ve worked with credit derivatives, I do now know that you can do copulas.”
• Don’t expect them to pay for everything
Recruiters will often suggest a meeting in a coffee shop. You may feel they should pay for anything you consume, but you will endear yourself better if you volunteer to pick up the tab.
“When a candidate offers to pay, it makes me feel that they have got some value from the meeting,” says one recruiter.
• Regularly update your CV
This is not so much about getting recruiters to like you as getting their computer systems to like you.
“Most CVs are entered into computer systems and most of these systems operate using a combination of recentness and relevancy,” says a recruiter. “If you make a small change and send it through to us again, it will move to the top of the queue.”
• Find someone to refer you
On the whole, recruiters will like you more if you are referred by someone they respect (preferably a client). This does not always hold true, however.
“People who are referred are often a bit needy. You have to ask why they didn’t come through directly,” says a recruiter.
COMMENTS
LittleFellah, Derivatives, Wed 17 Jun 09
@kenballl -zzzzzzzzz. I agree people can achieve alot in their final years. Just dont come on here and whine about it if you cant get a job. You cant really compare actors, the quen etc with Bankers. They dont have to do a full days work, getting up early etc.
Add your comment »GD, Equities, Wed 17 Jun 09
@Bigfellah-The problem is no one really wants someone like their granddad wandering round a bank in their slippers looking for the nearerst chair so they can have a quick nap.
Add your comment »Amazed, Equities, Wed 17 Jun 09
@ Bigfellah -60 years old and using a computer, thats pretty impressive.
Add your comment »bc, Derivatives, Wed 17 Jun 09
@ kenballl
the queen has achieved little in her life, sitting around all day doing nothing, waiving, watching people bow , having her a$$ wiped by a slave, waiving some more, corgi neutering have been features of he life since becoming queen
not a good example
littlelittlefella, Consultancy, Wed 17 Jun 09
@ Bigfellah
Agree with Amazed
I wish my granddad was as cool as you
ponterotto, Derivatives, Wed 17 Jun 09
@sarah
does efinancialcareers verify the job adverts posted by firms such as say, FWANATM?
Sarah, Editor, eFinancialCareers, HR & Recruitment, Wed 17 Jun 09
@ponterotto - In posting a position with us, all recruiters agree to our terms and conditions, which stipulate that job advertisements must relate to specific and genuine job opportunities available at the time of posting.
Add your comment »Calvin Luther Knox, Insurance, Wed 17 Jun 09
FWANATM - I am certain that someone will identify them at some point. He/she can't be blamed if acting in a state of intoxication induced by unemployment. Now let us pray...
Add your comment »MND Recruitment, HR & Recruitment, Wed 17 Jun 09
Football Managers, work hard, very stressful, but it's the stigma attached. If you have not made it to massive global role then you are going to struggle in banking. (unless you are a technical guru and you can get some contracts)
Final point the age thing is an aside. If a banker is very client facing and networked to the max then he might not need a recruiter (unless the target firm see it as hiring a freind and then will use a recruiter at a reduced fee). Lots of bankers, quants and technologist lack the ability to sell themselves and actualy focus on what is going to help thier career. They can't see the wood from the tree's, and that is where we can help.
If nobody had heard of Stephen Hawkin and he sent his CV in direct to hr at banks without help, would he get the best research job in the world? NO he would get a random job that would not help him fulfill his potential (probably just the bank with the best ramp) His CV would take a age to write, I could do it in minutes. We help these people.