How to Work With a Recruiter

Job seeker working with a recruiter on a laptop.

Tips for Job Seekers

Learn About Recruiters and What They Can Do for You

A recruiter helps connect you with your ideal company, career, or position. Recruiters are always searching for highly qualified candidates, collecting industry data to locate and screen the best talent for the many open roles they need to fill. Some of their responsibilities include developing job postings and advertisements, reviewing resumes, and interviewing candidates. They work with human resource departments to find the perfect match between company and employee, including skills and personalities that enhance work cultures.

Recruiters can review and advise you on resumes, cover letters, emails, and social media accounts. These are your marketing materials that explain why an employer wants to hire you over other applicants. Recruiters also coach you on the best way to make an impression in interviews with specific clients. 

You can seek out recruiters yourself, but if your resume is online, they will pull your information from various job-seeking sites and may reach out to you. Whether they find you or you find them, learn how to work with a recruiter to keep it positive for everyone. In some cases, you may keep them as lifelong career advocates.

Advice for Job Seekers Working With Recruiters

You can help recruiters connect the dots between the job position they need to fill and your skills and abilities that match that position. Here are some tips to increase your success:

Present an image of professionalism. Most companies want to work with a person who appears confident and polished. A company’s brand image is represented through its employees. So as a job seeker, you want to demonstrate your ability to fit that image or culture. Be careful how you express yourself on social media. Keep your personal and professional profiles separate. A business profile should share your work history and contact information while communicating qualities like efficiency and reliability. A professional headshot and a pleasant message on your voicemail show you understand how to make an excellent first impression.

Be clear about your career goals. What company culture do you fit into best? What is your ultimate dream job position? What companies would be your ideal? The clearer you are with your goals, the easier it is for your recruiter to connect you with jobs aligned with your personality, values, and career aspirations.

Be honest and let them get to know you. Too often, job seekers give recruiters a superficial view of their skills and work requirements. Most recruiters and companies want you to dig deeper, open up to them, and share something that can help them remember you. Recruiters know you aren’t perfect, so don’t try to pretend that you are. If you lack experience, tell them, and be sure to mention you are a fast learner or are easy to coach. Be clear about your jobseeker assets and liabilities. Your recruiter knows that some companies prefer to train people themselves or are focused more on one skill than another. So you could be the perfect fit.

Keep your resume and information current. Most recruiters will ask for your resume upfront. If your resume is updated, optimized, and marketable to highlight your skills, you’ll be prepared and get your application processed first. For help improving your resume, just ask. It is in your recruiter’s best interest to find ways to make you stand out.

Ask for feedback and constructive criticism. Recruiters like questions. It proves that you have a high level of interest in seeking a job position and can show you are willing to improve and adapt to achieve it. When you are open to constructive criticism, recruiters can help you sharpen your marketing materials and interview skills. This increases your chances of getting the job you always wanted.

Track your job applications. Recruiters do a lot of work for job seekers. But one thing you can do to help them and prepare yourself for success is tracking your application submissions. When a company takes the time to call you, it’s essential to know which job position they are calling about so you can answer specific questions regarding the company and the role.

Share previous job referrals. Job referrals are essential in the business world. If you have a prior employer who recommends you, it makes a recruiter’s job easier and helps them put you on the top of their list of qualified candidates for future openings.

How to Work With a Recruiter Near You


Colorado Network Staffing (CNS) connects with various companies and employers with recruitment needs across multiple industries. Apply for a job that sparks your interest and we can begin to match companies seeking your unique talents. We have developed effective working relationships with other recruiting firms over many years. 

If you are an employer, CNS works as an outsourced human resources provider or takes on specific administrative duties such as payroll, training, interview processes, benefits packages, employee incentives, and more depending on your company’s needs. 

Contact us to find temp-to-hire and permanent jobs in various industries, including HR positions. We fill job openings in commercial and government enterprises from contract to direct hires. As a top staffing agency in the Denver area, we work to meet your human resources and recruitment goals. 

Call us at 303-430-1441 to fill your job openings or begin a new career!

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