A connector doesn’t just intro you to the right people. They offer advice on how to act. They let you know what to say to whom. This wisdom is especially crucial with recruiters.
Recruiters often serve as gatekeepers to hiring-manager conversations and interview loops. Impress them and the flood gates open. Muck it up and you’ll never move on to the next stage.
Different recruiters look for different things. Sometimes it’s a specific background. Others, it’s the right degree. Or maybe experience working in a certain location. Just like G.I. Joe says, knowing is half the battle.
When an ideal connector sets you up with a recruiter, in advance, the connector should be covering these topics:
Where have you already applied? This demonstrates where you see yourself working and what opportunities you value. From this the recruiter can better understand where to place you.
Does the recruiter specializes in your talents? Recruiters usually have a niche based on a combination of geography, technology and industry. A recruiter’s “real” job is discovering the prime career-building roles in their specialization and seeking out qualified people for these positions. The connector should be putting you in touch with a recruiter familiar with the unique talents an aspiring former fed can bring to the tech space.
How to manage the initial recruiter call? Smile and remain calm. The recruiter will have an abbreviated pitch about open roles their employer, or client company, are looking to fill. Even if you two don’t find an exact fit, find a way to stay in touch. Recruiters can be friends for life. Offer to help them meet other people in your network for the positions discussed. Keep checking back in with them, providing updates on your own search.
This is a great article with some valuable insider info on recruiters: The Secrets Recruiters Won’t Tell You (But Really Want To).
It’s still worth your time even if connector just sets up a call with a recruiter without any background details. On the other hand, when someone doesn’t invest time in making sure the intro is a success, you’ll know what to expect.
Managing expectations improves how you dedicate your time and energy. Hone your focus. Invest more in people investing in you. Then you’re that much closer to success!