Technology vs. the human touch.
When it comes to your job search, which is better? Job board technology is certainly efficient. With a few clicks you easily can apply for several jobs in under an hour – all from the comfort of your own home.
But that same efficiency can work against you. Jobs that are available to you are also available to literally anyone else with an internet connection. When you submit your résumé, you may be one of dozens, hundreds or even thousands of applicants. As the number of job posting applicants increases, so does the chance of your résumé being completely ignored. How efficient is that?
Job boards do serve a purpose in connecting job seekers to employers. But if you’re serious about finding a great job, here are several reasons why experienced recruiters, like the ones who work for staffing and placement services such as Wood Personnel, beat job boards – hands down:
Reach the hiring authority – 100% of the time. A good recruiter has the ear of prospective employers and will proactively market you directly to key hiring decision makers. Recruiters keep your best career interests in mind and ensure your skills, experience and personal brand are presented in the best light possible to potential employers.
Access the “hidden” job market. Many Middle Tennessee employers know that they have greater hiring success when working with a recruiter. These companies rely on staffing professionals to handle the time-consuming legwork associated with finding the best candidates and skip the job board route altogether.
Get inside information on employers and their hiring practices. If you are interested in a particular employer, a recruiter can use his knowledge of an employer’s hiring processes (including interviewers’ personalities and interviewing styles) to help you successfully navigate obstacles. Likewise, he can provide valuable insight on a company’s corporate culture, helping you more accurately evaluate career opportunities.
Maintain job search control. A top performer who plasters his résumé all over every job board may suffer unintended (and unwanted) consequences. Unethical staffing services may find your résumé on a job board and submit it without your approval or begin hounding you with phone calls. With a good recruiter on your side, you can maintain control over your résumé and work with a single point of contact.
Manage job search anxiety. For many, finding a new position is extremely stressful. Recruiters are experts at the process and can help guide you through the nerve-wracking process of interviewing. By working with a recruiter you also enjoy peace of mind, knowing that you have someone else on your job search team.
Get a personal advocate and partner in your job search. In most cases (retained searches being an exception), recruiters aren’t compensated unless they actually place candidates. Unlike a job board, they have a vested interest in ensuring the success of your job search.
Protect your privacy. If you think your current employer won’t find out you’re actively seeking another job, think again. Many employers set up automatic search agents on major job boards which notify them if their employees are preparing to make a move. When you work with a recruiter, you can rest assured that you will be represented anonymously, and that your job search will remain confidential.
Access contract opportunities. If you are out of work and open to temporary or contract employment, recruiters can place you in short-term assignments or project-based opportunities that get your foot in the door and may even lead to direct employment.
Wood Personnel – The Human Touch in Recruiting and Placement
Technology is an important component in your job search, but nothing replaces a recruiter’s human touch. To us, you’re more than just a résumé or an application. You’re our greatest natural resource.
We listen and take a real interest in matching you with an opportunity that suits your unique skills, needs and interests. Contact a Wood Personnel recruiter today to learn more about administrative, light industrial, IT and executive opportunities throughout Middle Tennessee.