Working with a variety of candidates and clients from a variety of backgrounds gives our recruiting team a unique view into the candidate-client relationship. Additionally, it shapes their preferences on the best and most productive candidates to work with. We asked members from our engineering recruiting team to provide feedback on the most important tips candidates should know when working with an engineering headhunter. Here’s what they said:
Honesty. It’s in the best interest of the candidate to be honest with the recruiter on everything including current salary, salary expectations, why you left the last position, travel, relocation, pending offers, etc. Consistency is important. This information will help create the profile enabling the recruiter to effectively match client requirements with candidate requirements and not waste either party’s time.
Communication. When I can easily get in touch with candidates and get immediate feedback, it gives me the impression they are interested. Consequently, I consider them to be a good investment of my time.
Trust. Build a partnership with your recruiter. They are on your side! Trust their insight through the interview and negotiation process. Furthermore, if you have a bad experience with one recruiter, don’t let that turn you off from others by assuming the rest are like that.
Availability. The best candidates are easy to contact and return calls and emails. Good communication is critical.
Expectations. Time is money to a recruiter. Candidates should realize that our role is to find the right candidate for the client that hired us. Check in with the recruiter every couple weeks. We work with many candidates, making it tough to keep in contact with each one.
