Not all recruiters are equal. In the staffing industry, just like in any other, new hires have to get their experience from somewhere. It can take a few years to be able to competently navigate through an area’s local employment front, and sometimes you may find yourself working with a recruiter who is still a little green. From being submitted to a position that you have little interest in, to missing out on being selected for a job on some minor technicality, working with an inexperienced recruiter has the potential to be quite the headache.
However, if you find yourself working with a junior recruiter, do not fret! You can still come out on top with a great, long-term professional relationship and the job you’re after.
Here’s what we recommend.
Take the Reins
We aren’t suggesting that you take complete control of the relationship, but you should be proactive, and in a sense, do the recruiter’s job for them. If you feel like your skills aren’t being properly accessed, you should pre-source yourself for the position by asking for the detailed job description. You will get a better idea of what the job entails and can decide for yourself if it is something that you would like to pursue.
Ask and You Shall Receive
If you’re interested in the position, but feel like there are still some unanswered questions, you can always ask to speak with someone “who has more information.” It’s likely that the junior recruiter is working closely with a more seasoned recruiter, and by phrasing your request like this, they should have no problem putting you in touch with a senior colleague. The more experienced recruiter will have a deeper understanding of the position and the hiring manager’s preferences, and can use this knowledge better present you as the ideal candidate.
Remember, everybody has to start somewhere and your recruiter is there to help you get the job you want, so stay positive! With these tips, any shortcomings an inexperienced recruiter has should no longer be an issue.
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