1. Understand the Recruiter’s Role

• Recruiters are matchmakers, not decision-makers.

• They work on behalf of the employer, but a good recruiter also advocates for you.

• There are different types:

  • Contingency recruiters: Paid only if they place a candidate.

  • Retained recruiters: Exclusively hired by companies for high-level roles.

  • Internal/Corporate recruiters: Work in-house for the hiring company.

2. Be Transparent About Your Goals
Clearly state your:

• Career goals and aspirations

• Ideal roles and industries

• Preferred work environment and company culture

• Location preferences and remote flexibility

• Salary expectations (base, bonus, equity)

• Honesty helps recruiters present you to the right opportunities.

3. Perfect Your Resume Before Sharing

• Tailor it to your target roles.

• Ensure it reflects achievements with metrics, not just duties.

• Keep it clean, modern, and keyword-optimized.

• Provide a Word and PDF version if possible.

 
4. Be Responsive and Respectful of Time

• Reply to emails or calls promptly—top roles move fast.

• Be flexible in scheduling interviews.

• Treat your recruiter like a professional partner, not a gatekeeper.

 
5. Communicate Changes Proactively
Let them know if:

• You’re pursuing other roles.

• Your availability changes.

• You’ve updated your resume or skills.

• Your expectations have shifted.

• This prevents misalignment or surprises later in the process.

 
6. Ask the Right Questions

• What’s the hiring timeline?

• What are the role’s key success metrics?

• Who will be interviewing me, and what are their roles?

• Why is the position open?

• What’s the culture like at this company?

 
7. Stay Open to Feedback
Be coachable—recruiters offer valuable insights on:

• Resume improvements

• Interview techniques

• Market trends and salary benchmarks

• Take feedback as an opportunity to sharpen your candidacy.

 
8. Build a Long-Term Relationship

• Don’t ghost after landing a job.

• Keep in touch for future opportunities.

• Refer others to your recruiter when appropriate—it builds goodwill.

• Connect on LinkedIn and engage with their content.

 
9. Be Candid but Professional

• You can be honest about roles you're not interested in—just be respectful.

• Don’t accept interviews for jobs you have no intention of pursuing.

• Professionalism keeps the door open for future placements.

 
10. Know What Recruiters Can’t Do

• They can’t create a job that doesn’t exist.

• They may not always provide in-depth feedback (especially if the client doesn’t give any).

• They don’t set final compensation packages—but they can advocate for you.

 
11. Don’t Work with Too Many Recruiters at Once

• Working with too many agencies can create confusion or duplicate submissions.

• Choose a few trusted recruiters and let them know if you’ve applied elsewhere.

• Keep a log of job submissions to avoid overlap.

 
12. Be Prepared to Represent Yourself Well
Always:​

• Research the company before interviews.

• Arrive prepared and polished.

• Follow up with thank-you notes.

• The better you perform, the better you make your recruiter look—it’s a two-way win.

​
A recruiter opens the door, but you walk through it! You got this!
 
Bonus Tips: Executive-Level Candidates

• Expect a longer process with more stakeholders involved.

• Provide a leadership portfolio, 30-60-90 plan, or change initiative experience when relevant.

• Be open to executive coaching and interview prep offered by the recruiter.