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Meeting with a recruiter for the first time doesn’t actually mean you’re heading into a job interview…Both the outcome and the process will differ from that of bona fide job interview for a few important reasons. But you’ll still need to focus on your presentation. Here are a few important considerations that can help you stay in control and increase the likelihood of positive results.

Interviewing With a Recruiter: Tips and Considerations

1. The recruiter isn’t here to give you a job; she’s here to find out more about what you have to offer and more about what you need from a potential employer. She’s sizing you up against the needs and demands of her employer clients and deciding whether or not to present you to hiring managers among her contacts.

2. That being said, it’s a good idea to approach the interview with the goal of impressing her. Dress professionally, watch your eye contact and posture, and introduce yourself with a firm handshake. Come prepared and, of course, show up on time.

3. Expect more honesty from her about your credentials that you’re likely to receive from an employer. It’s within her best interests (and yours) for her to give you pointers about your clothing and presentation. And she’s likely to give you tips on how to showcase your most important skills and traits, the ones that have the best chance of winning employers over. Listen carefully and take this coaching to heart.

4. At the same time, be more honest with your recruiter than you would be with an employer. Don’t just smile widely and aim to please. Be very clear with her about what you’re looking for, and if the job she has in mind doesn’t seem right for you, speak up and say so. She may have another position available that represents a better match.

5. Recognize that by presenting you to an employer, she’s placing her reputation in your hands. Take this responsibility seriously, and do your best to make her proud. If you interview with the employer later and are handed an offer, both you and the recruiter win. But this is a team effort—you’ll each need to support the goals of the other.

6. Remember that you aren’t paying her, the employers are. So she isn’t working as hard to help you as she is to help them. If you don’t hear back from her immediately after this first interview, don’t panic. Just check in once a week by phone or email, and in the meantime, keep your job search active.

For more guidance on how to handle an initial consultation with a recruiter, or how the recruiter-candidate relationship works, reach out to the Texas staffing and job search experts at Expert.

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