Have you shied away from enlisting a recruiter to help you find employment because you're not familiar with the recruitment process? Did you know it's perfectly acceptable to seek employment on your own and work with a recruiter at the same time?
Working with a professional recruiter is a smart and effective strategy for most any job seeker. The recruitment process is not only easy, but it's a much more personable approach than other job search methods. It allows you to engage with someone who will be working for your benefit.
Teaming up with a recruiter requires no financial obligation, up-front work or commitment from you. And, along with offering free coaching and career advice, a recruiter can open the door to jobs you may not discover on your own. Here's a snapshot of The Creative Group's recruitment process.
1. Why you should consider a recruiter
Working with a recruiter, especially one who specializes in your industry, has many perks. TCG recruiters frequently have backgrounds in the creative industry, so they truly understand your skill set. For you, that translates to job opportunities that are most relevant to your expertise and interests.
Recruiters often have deep insights into the companies they work with. Knowing how a company operates, what the corporate culture is like and how the teams are structured gives them the unique ability to match candidates who will be comfortable there. Even when you're conducting your own job search, recruiters can give you a sense of the market you're targeting so you can tailor your search accordingly.
Some firms work exclusively with recruiters. Having a close-knit relationship with companies allows the recruiter to know about positions that aren't listed on the open market. Plus, companies that publicly post open positions often work with recruiters if they're not attracting the right candidates.
2. How the TCG recruitment process works
There are several ways to make initial contact with a TCG recruiter:
- Submit a resume through our website.
- Respond to a job posting.
- Connect via LinkedIn.
- Ask for a personal referral from someone you know who's already working with TCG.
Once you make contact, TCG's recruiters will review your resume. You’ll be called if you're a good fit for the job you’re seeking, meet the requirements for any other open jobs or have a skill set that’s commonly requested by TCG's clients.
The next step in the recruitment process is a phone or video interview with a recruiter. During this conversation, you'll talk about your work interests, list of companies you'd like to work with, titles and roles you're open to, and salary expectations.
It's crucial to be completely honest when answering all of these questions. If you're not sure what salary or hourly rate you should seek, the recruiter can give you some guidance based on your salary history and career progression. The Robert Half Salary Guide can also help you figure out what salary you should expect, based on your skills, experience and location.
3. The interview process
The next step in the recruitment process is an interview with a client company. Your recruiter will prep you for the process by conducting research on the company — and suggesting you do the same — and filling you in on how many interviews to expect and how often. Your recruiter will also handle all negotiations and keep you updated on progress. Plus, he or she will have inside salary information on the companies you're negotiating with and can help determine a rate that's fair for both parties.
The TCG recruiter's goal is to get candidates into the right roles as quickly as possible. Even when you don't land a job right away, good recruiters keep track of strong candidates and may identify another great opportunity down the line.
4. Starting an assignment
Once you land an assignment, you'll continue to be in touch with your recruiter to ensure things at your new job are going smoothly. Communication is the key to a great relationship with your recruiter. Ask him or her how often you should check in, and whether phone or email correspondence is preferred.
When working with TCG or any other staffing agency, consider these additional best practices:
- If you find a job posting on another site, send a link to your recruiter and ask if he or she has a relationship with the company.
- When you're on assignment, communicate through the recruiter rather than directly with your supervisor if you need to discuss the parameters of the job placement.
- Keep your recruiter up-to-date if you develop a new skill after taking a course or working on a new type of project.
- Show up on time and do your best work, even if you'd prefer to move on to a different assignment.
5. How TCG prepares you for success
The Creative Group's recruiters invest a lot of time in preparing candidates for success, including resume and portfolio advice throughout the recruitment process. As a TCG candidate, you'll also be eligible for free online training courses to help you acquire new skills or improve existing ones.
