The job search process is often difficult and lengthy. Even if you are a qualified, educated, talented candidate, you may feel like you’re sending your resume into the void every time you submit an unanswered application.

Don’t settle for a mediocre opportunity quite yet, though. A recruiter may just be your key to the next step in your career.

Why work with a recruiter? Here are just a few of the many benefits that come with this relationship.

A Better Search Process

We’ve established that the search process is frustrating, but a recruiter will assuage this issue. It is a recruiter’s full-time job to find the right candidate for open positions. Think of them as your professional matchmaker. They take the heavy lifting off your plate.

No more filling out applications or drafting cover letters for jobs you aren’t sure you qualify for. A recruiter will know well what the hiring manager is looking for and can assess whether you fit that description. You’ll always be a qualified candidate, which can alleviate your stress through the process.

Someone in Your Corner

They say reputation is everything, and a recruiter will ensure that yours works for you. The recruiter you partner with will help to sell your skills and talents to a potential employer. So, you will not be working alone to convince the hiring manager that you’re the right fit; you’ll have a trusted expert highlighting your qualifications, as well.

Also, if you’ve ever received an offer and wondered whether it was fair, you aren’t alone. Most candidates aren’t quite sure of their market value. Because recruiters work in this field every day, they have the market knowledge to ensure that you get the offer you deserve and will work with the potential employer to do so.

Access to Unlisted Jobs

Because recruiters have relationships with businesses and hiring managers, they have access to jobs that aren’t yet public. Many hiring managers will come straight to the recruiter they work with before posting a job or even writing up a formal description. This means that you can have first access to the exact position you’re looking for.

This also helps to separate you from the masses. You’ll no longer be one resume in a pile, but instead a qualified candidate who was hand-selected by a trusted advisor.

Help with Prep and Feedback

Before your interview, the recruiter you’re working with will walk you through the process. They may even run through example interview questions with you. They’ll also tell you exactly what the interviewer is looking for, so you can go in with a strategy that shows off your skills that fit those needs. They’ll help you to highlight your strengths and answer questions intelligently and succinctly.

Afterwards, they’ll also follow up with the interviewer and get useful feedback. This way, you can be even better prepared in the future. You’ll also know quickly where you stand in the mind of the potential employer.

Confidentiality

A recruiter’s process is strictly confidential, which is key for many candidates. You won’t have to worry about word getting back to your current employer that you’re in the middle of a search, even if the recruiter has a relationship with them. This is especially key in smaller markets with tight networks but is important for all industries and markets.

Future Opportunities

Once a recruiter helps you to successfully find a new position, your relationship does not end there. The recruiter will check in every once in a while to see how things are going. They will even alert you if they have an open position they think is a fit for you.

So, a couple years down the line, if you’re ready to make another move, your recruiter could be way ahead of you. This relationship could pay dividends and ensure that you never embark on a lengthy job search again.

If you’d like to learn more about our recruitment process, you can reach out to one of our expert consultants today. You can also find more job search insights in our Michael Page advice section.