How to Maximize the Relationship with Your Recruiter

Working with a recruiter or a staffing agency can be a major boost to your job hunt. Having someone in your corner supporting you and finding potential jobs for you is really valuable, but it requires on your end to make sure you are maximizing the value you are getting from the recruiter.

1) Provide Updated Contact Information

This may sound obvious, but be sure to provide your recruiter with accurate and up-to-date cell phone numbers, email addresses, and emergency contacts. Speaking as a member of a staffing agency, we can’t offer you work if we can’t get a hold of you, right?

So let us know if you’re changing addresses, contact info, or if you’re going to be unreachable for an extended period of time. Be ready to answer your phone, respond quickly to voicemails and messages, and – depending on the recruiter – sometimes even check Facebook, which can be a great way to stay in touch.

2) Be Punctual

Don’t just show up on time to interviews/orientations/start dates, get there a little early to be safe and show initiative. Don’t go overboard though – coming in too early can be unnecessary and an inconvenience for everyone involved. If you are going to be late, it’s fine as long as you give us a heads up and don’t let it happen too often. It’s all about communication and consistency; in the fast-paced world of temporary staffing, time is a precious commodity.

Showing up “on time” for interviews, orientations, and shifts isn’t enough — you need to be at least a few minutes early for everything. Ideally, try to shoot for 5-10 minutes before your scheduled appointment to ensure you have enough time to get situated. This goes for phone interviews and check-ins, too. If you have a 1:00pm phone call with your recruiter, be sure you are ready to go a few minutes ahead of time so you don’t miss the call.

When you keep your time management on point, it makes the recruiter’s life a little bit easier and, as a bonus, lets them know that they can count on you to be responsible when meeting potential employers.

3) Speak Up

At SITE Staffing, we always encourage our candidates to speak their mind, to let us know their preferences, and always be open and honest. While you don’t have to pour out your life story, you do need to be as transparent as possible, because at the end of the day, the recruiter you are working with is trying to help you find a job that you will love, so leaving out any information can make that process more challenging.

If your recruiter tells you about an open position that just doesn’t seem like the right fit for you, be sure to let him or her know. Likewise, if there is something that really excites you, share that with them. The more relevant information you provide the staffing agency and recruiter, the better.

4) Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

One of the most valuable things you can do on the job hunt is ask the right questions. When you are working with a recruiter, this is incredibly important. Take manufacturing or industrial jobs, for example: these environments may be unfamiliar to you, and even thought your recruiter will fill you in on the need-to-knows (dress code, shift times, etc.), you might forget. That’s OK, but make sure you ask your recruiter for the information. Also, you’ll likely sign and receive copies of these various forms in the hiring or orientation process, including employment policies, safety regulations, and geographic directions, so staying organized is important.

The same thing goes for more technical or professional roles, especially on a contract or temporary basis, as these positions are often filled quickly and move fast right out of the gate. If at anytime during the interview process or the actual job itself, questions occur, don’t be afraid to contact your recruiter to ask them.

5) Keep Communication Flowing

If you have never worked with a staffing agency or worked with a recruiter before, you may be surprised at the level of communication when you start. For example, there are often emails and phone calls from your recruiter to let you know about new positions and opportunities. Then there are calls to prep for an interview, and call after the interview to recap how it went. With a busy schedule, it can be easy to lose track of this communication but if you want to maximize your relationship with your recruiter, be sure to keep communication channels open at all times.

Next Steps

If you are interested in working with a SITE Staffing recruiter, tell us about yourself here! You can also check out some additional career resources below, or visit our Milwaukee job board here.