No Recruiter, No Big Job?

While I can't say that this is fact and with no deviation, I can put the challenge of this thought to the test by simply asking around. Here's the test - find 10 people that earn $100K or more and ask if they used a job recruiter to help them land that job. Now, the harder part of this test may be to find 10 people we know making over $100K, but just ask the one or two we may be able to find and their answers may help generalize the results for you. You get the point :)

I am sure geographic location, and job industry as well as several other variables come into play here so I dont want to oversimplfy. But there is some compelling truth to the notion that having a recruiter can help land a better job.

I seem to learn more and more every week on why we need a good job recruiter to help us find a great job. And much of this learning is summarized is documented in previous posts. But, what it all boils down to is marketing and sometimes more importantly - marketing channels.

With the Internet and its seemingly never-ending growth of newly launched social networks and interactive personal e-branding sites, marketing ourselves has never been easier. In the past, we simply relied on a resume as the single most important tool to landing us a job. And now that we can showcase our digitized resumes in interactive mediums over the Internet, it would seem that this would help us aquire that next great new job on our own. Easier said than done.

Why is that you ask? I mean why can't we market ourselves using the Internet and find that next great new job on our own? Well, we can. But like all marketing, what good is creating an ad or markating campaign if noone will ever see it? Let me help with an analogy.

You see, if you were going to sell your home, it may seem easier and cheaper to sell it on your own. And while you could accomplish this, it is still widely believed and understood that selling your home through a realtor is still better. And many statistics will prove that it is certainly faster.

The reality is that the marketing is great but the marketing channel is essential. In the case of selling your home, you need the realtor as they are very skilled at where to market your home. Heck, they may already have a client that is looking for your exact home? They have a network of clients amongst other assets they bring to the table that can help. There really is no difference with a recruiter.

The recruiter has in many cases, years or relationships with hiring mangers. They may already know where to place you as soon as they see your resume. They are the marketing channel to a hiring manager that you need and more than likely can't bridge to on your own.

So I am not saying you need a recruiter to find your next great job. But will it hurt to try? Isn't it worth putting most of the job searching functions in someone else's hands. Unbelievably, the recruiter does most of the work getting you your interview and negotiating on your behalf - at no cost to you. Makes sense, no?