Working with a recruiter greatly increases your chances of finding a position that aligns with your skills, talents, career goals and corporate culture preferences. However, even with all of the tools at a recruiter’s fingertips to help make strong matches, nobody gets it 100 percent right 100 percent of the time. Follow this advice if you are presented with an opportunity that isn’t quite right for you.
A Great Match Starts With You, the Candidate
Skilled and experienced recruiters are adept at reading candidates, but they aren’t psychic. A lot of the information they use to match you with opportunities comes directly from you. In your early conversations with your recruiter, be very upfront and honest about what you are looking for. If you know you won’t relocate for a job, make that clear. If you simply refuse to work for small businesses or startups, let her know. If you won’t cross the street for less than a certain salary level, be upfront. The more information the recruiter has about what you’re looking for, the better. It saves her time, it saves her client companies time, and most importantly, it saves you time.
Make Use of Feedback Sessions
After your recruiter sends you on an interview, he will reach out to debrief with you and provide feedback from the hiring manager. While it is extremely important to listen to that feedback and act on it, this is also time for you to speak up. If, throughout the course of the interview, you realize the job isn’t quite what you are looking for, let your recruiter know. Not only will this prevent an awkward conversation if the employer wants to hire you, it will also help your recruiter further understand your preferences.
What If You Accepted the Job?
Sometimes, poor fit isn’t recognizable until you actually start the job. When these situations arise, it can be difficult to know what to do. Make sure you remain in constant contact with your recruiter throughout the first few days and weeks of the job. Raise any red flags as soon as you spot them. Open and free-flowing communication is essential if you think the fit is wrong. It is important for your recruiter to know if the job doesn’t match the description you were given, if the skill set required for the job is markedly different than what was stated, or if the culture is toxic.
Together, you can work out a plan for the next steps. Don’t quit without talking to your recruiter first. Walking out can damage the recruiter’s reputation and it will permanently burn bridges for you as well. Work through the situation together so you can exit gracefully.
If you are an engineer or technology professional in the Southeast searching out new opportunities and challenges for your career, contact the recruiting experts at Selectek today. Our recruiters work closely with candidates to make the strongest matches possible to ensure you get connected with your ideal opportunity.
