5 Tips to Deal With Recruiters

Working with a recruiter is an effective way to land projects and recurring freelancing gigs. The key to success with a recruiter is treating the relationship like a partnership with a shared goal of success: getting you employed.

While it’s essential to find a recruiter that suits your budget and expectations, how you navigate that relationship will ultimately determine your success.

Here are five tips for freelancers on how to deal with recruiters.

Create a Targeted Resume

One of the most crucial components of working with a recruiter is presenting an updated, relevant industry resume. To ensure your resume meets modern best practices and appeals to both human and AI hiring managers, consider working with executive writers to craft your resume.

Working with a skilled resume writer can help you craft your resume to fit the industry or employment level you’re striving toward.

Enhance Your Online Presence

As a freelancer, your online presence is everything. Take the time to fill in your LinkedIn profile to outline your experience and highlight your skills. Then, use your profile to showcase your expertise in your industry with both original and curated content.

Expand your network and start conversations in your industry. You don’t have to become a “Thought Leader” to be successful, but recruiters want to see your passion and knowledge when vetting opportunities.

Maintain Clarity and Professionalism

Maintain the utmost professionalism when talking to recruiters. Consider this experience an opportunity to hone your interview skills when an opportunity arises. It’s also integral to be clear in your communications, ask questions, and prepare your responses.

A recruiter often acts as a gatekeeper for companies. The better you communicate with them, the more likely you are to be recommended to high-paying clients.

Act Fast

Being responsive is a must when working with recruiters. The freelancing landscape moves fast. In many cases, it’s the first vetted freelancer to respond that gets the gig.

While setting boundaries is essential for long-term success as a freelancer, it’s ok to overstep your personal boundaries and office hours when working with a recruiter. The beauty of the digital era is the ability to work with people in other time zones. Respond outside of your usual hours when navigating the recruiting process, but enforce your boundaries when working on a project.

Be Realistic but Firm

It’s important to be realistic and manage your expectations when working with a recruiter. Be open to feedback and suggestions that will help bolster your success, even if it means compromising some of your preconceived notions about freelance work. Understand that a recruiter is a human and has limited control when acting as an intermediary.

While being open to suggestions is important, being firm in your standards is also vital for long-term success as a freelancer. Don’t take jobs that seem high demand with low returns if you’re established and experienced. Don’t compromise your integrity if it could result in negative consequences later on.

With these five tips, you can successfully navigate a relationship with a recruiter and find high-paying freelancing gigs.