Deciding whether to work with a recruiter or apply directly can significantly impact your job search experience. There are notable pros and cons to each, and below we try to outline what these are and what should be considered before you decide which route to take.
Working with a Recruiter
Pros:
Industry Expertise: A well-connected recruiter has real insight into company culture and performance, warts and all. A business is unlikely to advertise shortcomings and faults, and recruiters who’ve placed roles with this business and subsequently know people inside said business, can give you a sober and balanced snapshot of the truth, compared to the rose-tinted view a business may advertise – meaning you’re more likely to go for jobs that suit you personality and culture wise.
Access to Hidden Opportunities: Many businesses use recruiters to fill roles they can’t advertise publicly, giving candidates exclusive access to jobs. Confidential role replacements or simply controlling their market reputation – there are various reasons why a business won’t want to openly advertise their positions. Working with a recruiter can give candidates access to a hidden market.
Tailored Support: Not everyone needs this, but a surprising number do. It’s not a competency or seniority issue – some people just don’t make the best decisions during what’s an objectively emotive period and often shoot themselves in the foot or harm their chances of securing a role...
I’ve seen this across the board from graduates all the way through to CEO’s. From someone who’s run over 400 recruitment processes, there are non-obvious dos and don’ts that can be the difference between securing a role or not.
Networking Opportunities: It’s in our interest to give you access to our industry connections. Open doors to opportunities that otherwise would’ve remained closed. Take this with a pinch of salt, however, there needs to be trust in our relationship for us to leverage our reputation with our clients. If we get the impression we can’t, we’re unlikely to put our name on the line for you.
Cons:
Less Direct Control: Your recruiter acts as an intermediary, so you may not always have direct communication with the employer. This can be a drawback for those who like to feel in control. Having said that, an intermediary can help soften some of the more pointed interactions like salary negotiation.
Limited Scope: If the recruiter specialises in certain areas, they may not have opportunities that align with all your career goals. The trend in our industry is to niche down as much as possible, so you’ll need to seek out the relevant recruiter for what you’re looking for.
Applying Directly
Pros:
Direct Relationship: Applying directly lets you establish immediate contact with employers and showcase your enthusiasm. This can help assuage any doubts about your commitment to a role.
Full Autonomy: You control every aspect of your application process, from tailoring your CV to negotiating terms. You’ll be the first person to know about any movement in your process, as long as the client is readily staying in communication with you.
Cons:
Time-Consuming: Searching for roles, customising applications, and managing follow-ups can be labour-intensive. Your conversion rate from applications to securing an offer can vary widely, but assume it’s low (sub 20%). Therefore, volume is your friend. You need to be in multiple processes and constantly have your finger on the pulse of the job market. Which is both time-consuming and emotionally draining.
Limited Insights: Without insider knowledge, understanding company cultures and expectations can be challenging. There’s a degree of shooting in the dark unless you: intimately know that business, have past experience with them or have trusted contacts who have worked there previously.
Both approaches have their merits. For a balanced strategy, consider combining both methods to maximise your opportunities. This conversation skews somewhat the further you get in your career, with the majority of senior roles recruited without advertisement.
But for the start/middle of your career, if you can find a recruiter you know, trust and like, it can be a useful tool in your toolkit to accelerate career progression and find the best opportunities on the market for you.
