Being discreet is something very important that candidates overlook at their peril. Many times candidates say they are “actively” or “aggressively” looking. What does that mean? Is their resume everywhere online already?
What they probably don’t realize is that by having their resume everywhere they increase their chances at a few jobs but very much limit themselves on many more positions that recruiters are working on at the time.
This is a difficult market. If I were out of work, I would probably be on the job boards as well. But overall, very few jobs are found using the Internet. Networking does play a big factor but posting your resume online usually does not equate to long-term career success.
It isn’t always the case but there are 3 main types of candidates that dominate the job boards:
- Unemployed – These candidates are out of work and struggling to find that new job. No one can blame them for being online.
- Miserable at current position – By being online they are letting the world know “I’m not in that great of a job right now.”
- Under skilled – The A+ candidates have companies and recruiters calling them and do everything they can to stay away from having their resume blasted.
Working with an executive recruiter can be a very valuable relationship for both the candidate and the recruiter. This relationship that can last for years and provide you free career coaching and market insight. It is a two-way street in that the recruiter needs to understand your needs, career goals and experience, and the candidate needs to show why he or she is a stronger candidate than others.
Remember that an experienced recruiter can be a valuable career counselor. Even if the recruiter doesn’t end up helping you find your next position, that person can be an invaluable resource in your long-term career.