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Today's job hunter faces an increasingly confusing myriad of choices about how to find that next opportunity, from where to search for job openings, to how to create an effective resume or even where to use it. However, there's one mainstay of the job market that can pay off in huge dividends for both employers and job seekers: using a recruiter.

While most professionals are aware that recruiters work to fill openings from their client companies, few fully understand exactly how the process works.

Professionals who want to use recruiters as part of their job search strategy should understand a few key points, according to Audrey Spencer of ACBS Resource Management, Inc. A recruiter who specializes in locating candidates suitable for overseas positions, Spencer notes that one of the biggest point of confusion centers around the recruiter's loyalty to the client company over that of the candidate.

"People often think a recruiter is working for them, and will say 'That recruiter didn't do anything for me.' That's when I ask - what did YOU pay the recruiter?" Spencer says. A core fact of the relationship, she notes, is that the recruiter is directly fulfilling the needs of the client company-which is also the organization that pays the recruiter's fees.

For this reason, she says, you will find some recruiters may not respond unless a resume is a good fit for the job orders on that recruiter's desk. Her recommendation? Remember that you are your own headhunter and should always put down as much information about your skills as possible. Have a friend or spouse read your resume to see if they can then describe your achievements in detail. If not, it's time to revise it.

In addition, she notes, recruiters often look for very specific skills per client request. As an example, Spencer points to her client's strict requirements for junior-level accountants who are finishing CPA certifications, willing to make a two-year commitment for placement in Bermuda, and meet immigration requirements, with an added plus for those with Sarbanes-Oxley experience.

Spencer offered five additional tips on recruiter interaction for job seekers, including:

1 - Remember professional courtesy. When you work with a recruiter, be responsive, returning phone calls in a timely manner, even if it's only to state that you're not interested in the position.

Spencer says that you may run across situations where the same recruiter will have a plum job that fits your qualifications in a matter of months-and they will remember your professionalism when it comes to approaching you again. "Recruiters have very long memories," she says.

In addition, staying in touch over time, perhaps sending a brief communication every few months, can let the recruiter know that you are still in the game while maintaining your network. Don't forget to ask the recruiter if you can pass along his or her name to other qualified candidates.

Resume expert Laura Smith-Proulx of An Expert Resume (http://www.anexpertresume.com), author of three books on resumes and job search, has attained a 98% success rate winning interviews with techniques for a competitive edge based on her expertise as a former recruiter. Get Laura's FREE E-Course, "The 7 Biggest Resume Mistakes That Can Keep You From Your Dream Job... and How to Avoid Them," at http://www.anexpertresume.com/ecourse_signup.htm .

Article Source: EZEDIR.COM