Resumes submitted to recruiters could pose opportunity for changes to your resume. Did you know that recruiters can (and do) make changes to your resume?
Why use them? Here are some things to consider about recruiters and resumes submitted to recruiters:
– They have their own objective that usually is guided by their own targets/goals (and you are the byproduct)
– They have the ability to, and do, make changes to your resume. In some cases, recruiting companies have a department of resume writers waiting for your resume so they can make changes, often for their clients. You probably worked hard on your resume, and now someone is going to change it? The changes could only be formatting, but I have experienced recruiters that change content in order to achieve their objectives. If you know how to write an effectively written resume, you won’t need someone else to turn it into something else
– Involving a third party means less negotiating power for you because now you have to account for the recruiter’s cut of the deal. Why would you want that? If you know how to effectively negotiate, you won’t need a third-party
– Once you start working with a recruiter, you will often be asked if you want to be submitted for other roles. At first thought you may think this is great but realize that these jobs may not be something you even want. Remember your ultimate goal: tell your right story to achieve your* goal – not someone else’s
I will continue to advocate – apply for jobs directly. If you are a candidate who does the below things successfully, you won’t need a recruiter:
– An effective resume (content and digitally)
– A thought-out and tactical application strategy
– A differentiated interview experience
– A strategically navigated salary negotiation
Consider this – you are essentially paying a recruiter with a lower total compensation due to involving them, and* you’re paying by letting someone else drive your career direction.
Why not try something like this:
– Get your resume right. Solicit the right help to get a resume that actually returns results and stop applying with something that isn’t working
– Get an application strategy that actually makes sense. Stop doing only what you know with the hope something will change (because it won’t). Get a better sense of a high-ROI application strategy and invest your energy into that*
– Stop being like every other typical interviewee. Are you doing and asking all the same things as everyone else? Then you’ll continue to be everyone else, and likely, won’t have the competitive edge
– Stop thinking negotiating is scary. Did you know that it’s an expected course of business to negotiate? If you don’t have the courage to have this conversation, let alone know what to ask, this is where you need to re-focus
Bottom line: consider where you’re putting your energy. Recruiters may seem like a help, only because they’re doing the work for you. But what are they really* doing for you is what I would challenge you to consider.
Should your resume be submitted to recruiters? Maybe. Try the above and maybe you won’t need to engage a recruiter!
Jobs A Fly (recruiting company)