IT jobs are expected to grow by a total of 10% between 2019 and 2029, a rate that’s much faster than the overall average. That means lots of opportunity and lots of competition. But you can put yourself ahead of the game simply by making one small yet powerful decision: work with a recruiter.

Why should I work with a recruiter?

You have a computer and an email address so you can technically throw your hat into the ring without any help, but there are some major benefits to going through a recruitment agency.

• Training and advice: Great IT jobs don’t come along every day, so when you’re up for a prime position you want to be ready. Some agencies will help qualified candidates prep for the final round of company-facing interviews by offering interview training and other pointers.
• Direct line to HR: The average job opening generates hundreds of resumes. It’s easy for your information to get lost in the shuffle when an in-house HR team is desperately trying to keep up. But recruiters’ sole focus is finding the perfect person for each job and they have the bandwidth to carefully review every submission. You’ll get the consideration you truly deserve.
• Reassurance: Recruiters are trained to screen candidates to be sure they’re a great fit. If you make it past the first round, you can feel confident that you’re in line with what the company’s looking for — in other words, it’s time for less uncertainty and more confidence.
• More access to opportunities: If you don’t end up getting the first job you apply for, that doesn’t mean you’re on your own again. Most recruiters will keep your name on file and review your information when recruiting for future openings. Recruiters also know about jobs that are never publicized. Send your resume to an agency and you may be considered for companies you didn’t even know were hiring.

How much does a recruiter cost?

Nothing! One of the benefits of working with a recruiter is that candidates pay nothing for the privilege of being screened and interviewed. That holds true whether or not you ultimately get offered and accept a job. 

Companies take care of agency fees, which are typically calculated as a percentage of the new hire’s first year salary. Sometimes, recruiters will offer applicants other services, such as resume writing or advanced interview coaching, that come at additional cost. But those services and the hiring process should always be regarded as separate.

How does the recruitment process work?

IT recruitment agencies typically work with a five-stage recruitment process:

1. Planning: This step, which happens before candidates get involved, is when agencies consult with the company that’s hiring to figure out what their needs are and what their ideal applicant looks like.
2. Search: Now the agency begins its search, building a list of potential candidates.
3. Screening: That initial list of candidates is review for suitable, certifications, and other requirements and whittled down to a handful that seem like the best fit.
4. Interviews: If you’ve made it into the final group, you now get to sit down for an interview to make your case face to face.
5. Evaluation and offer: Finally, you’ll either be chosen for the position and sent an offer or told it’s not the right fit and put back into the pool for future consideration.

IT recruiters take their jobs seriously, which is good news for jobseekers who want to take their careers to the next level. For more information on the recruitment process, connect with a recruiter now.