Looking for a new job in Canada? Your timing couldn’t be better. In fact, today’s candidate-driven market may provide the best time in a very long time to finding a job. But is the do-it-yourself approach the most effective way of finding a job?Not necessarily.There might be plenty of jobs out there, but they’re not all good jobs. If you’re like most job hunters, you’ve been disappointed with many of the open roles you see on job boards or by the responses to your applications, or maybe you’ve been underwhelmed by the offers you’ve received. And when you do see an attractive opening, it’s been difficult to muster the energy to write yet another cover letter and tailor yet another resume after a long day of work, house chores or other responsibilities.That’s where a professional job recruiter can help.Tell an expert, ‘Find me a job!’In any market, when it comes to finding a job — that is, finding a good job — two heads are better than one. Whether you’re seeking a permanent, contract or contract-to-hire role, and whether you prefer it to be remote or onsite, working with a specialized talent solutions firm can open doors and boost your search.Having a top-notch recruiter in your corner is like having your own personal advocate, someone who can help you find the ideal role, prepare for the interview and negotiate the salary. Plus, you’ll pay no fee.Here are 10 things a professional job recruiter does to help find you a job.1. Connects you with employersThe best job recruiters know your local market — who’s hiring, who’s planning to hire and the open roles that aren’t yet publicly posted. Professional recruiters build extensive networks and strong relationships with client companies, having earned a solid reputation for delivering talent. That means they know what those employers want.And a global talent solutions firm such as Robert Half Canada, with offices worldwide, can produce leads outside your area for jobs in your field — a huge advantage when there is such a demand for skilled talent.2. Connects with youA good recruiter will also get to know you — your skills, your goals, your workstyle and your preferred workplace culture. It’s a professional familiarity that goes deeper than any list of attributes and interests presented on a resume.This personalized approach to working with you is critical to placing you in a job where you’ll be happiest.Learn more about what a professional recruiter can do, beyond finding a job for you.3. Acts as your guideMany Robert Half Canada recruiters have professional experience in your field, so they understand your passion for your work. As importantly, they know what employers look for in top talent and what they’re willing to pay for it, and they know how to close the deal. Robert Half also uses their latest data, like the annual Salary Guide, from hiring managers and job seekers to inform on market trends and what to expect from the workplace.To the job hunter, there’s no better best friend than the one who can give expert advice on finding the best job and a healthy salary (more on that below).4. Advocates for your talentJob recruiters do more than share your resume. They’re in direct communication with hiring managers or their HR counterparts, so your application isn’t treated as another name without a face.The recruiter can advocate for you, highlight your talents and how they suit the employer’s needs, and vouch for your soft skills (difficult to gauge from only a resume and cover letter, but always of great interest to an employer). Keep in mind: having a connection with a recruiter opens opportunities that might not have been readily available on a job board.5. Saves you timeFinding a job takes time and energy — both in short supply if you’re already working a 9-5. Rather than spending hours each week scanning job boards or preparing applications, you can partner with a job recruiter who can put you in almost instant contact with employers looking for someone with your skillset.Oh, and those tailored cover letters you stress over, looking for the right words, the right tone, the right touch? You can forget about it. For almost any position you apply for with a recruiter, they will be your introduction to the employer and be able to cover the basics instead of a cover letter.SEND US YOUR RESUME AND LET US FIND YOUR NEXT CAREER MOVE6. Negotiates compensationStarting pay for professional occupations across Canada is expected to continue to increase, especially for roles in high demand. That might even be why you’re looking for something new. If so, be sure to benchmark your market value with trusted sources like Robert Half’s latest Salary Guide.But talking money and negotiating better benefits is a skill — one that professional job recruiters are very good at. Their access to the latest salary data and knowledge of what perks and benefits are standard in your industry means you’ll have an ally with the insight and acumen to negotiate a compensation package both you and the employer will be happy with.7. Helps craft an application that sellsWhether you’re an industry veteran or entering the job market with little work history, you need a carefully crafted resume that’s compelling, honest and customized for the role you’re pursuing. Putting that together can be a tall order, even overwhelming. But you can spare yourself a lot of stress and pain with an expert in your corner. A job recruiter will offer honest feedback on your drafts, advice on how to highlight your talents and successes, and where to tailor your resume for the positions you apply for. If you have a portfolio to show, the recruiter can help with that, too.The recruiter’s job is to help you get a job. They’re going to make sure your application presents you in the best possible light.8. Supports professional developmentA professional recruiter can help you identify and build up the skills you might need for the roles you’re pursuing. Robert Half Canada, for example, gives job candidates free access to online training courses to help them build their skill set and stay competitive. That’s not a benefit you’d want to shrug off.Finding a job might be your immediate goal, but adding to your expertise could enhance the trajectory of your career path and increase your salary potential. It’s always great to know what skills you will need to the future of work as well, and that’s where a Robert Half recruiter can add long-term value.9. Provides interview coachingIf you enter a simple online search or read a blog on finding a job, you’ll almost always find a discussion about the importance of preparing for the phone and video interviews. That includes researching the company where you’re interviewing, identifying career highlights and skills to mention, preparing for tough questions, even deciding how formal or informal to dress (important even in a video interview).A job recruiter can offer guidance on all that. As the one who’s submitted your application or discussed your candidacy with the employer, the recruiter will have insight into how the company operates, its workplace culture and hiring process. If you want to rehearse some awkward questions, the recruiter can offer some coaching. By the time you interview, you’ll be able to speak confidently about how you can help the employer be successful and why you’re the best person for the position.10. Helps you thriveA good job recruiter will stay in contact even after you’ve found a job. At Robert Half Canada, for instance, recruiters will check in with the candidates they’ve helped place in a new role to make sure all is well. That’s not all. If requested, they’ll offer professional development advice and other career tips to keep thriving in their careers.Last word on finding a jobWhether you’re just starting your career, re-entering the workforce after a layoff, or ready to move on to something new or more challenging, finding a job requires strategy and a lot of hard work in Canada’s competitive workforce. Professional networking, researching potential employers, sharpening the resume and crafting cover letters are just the start of a successful job hunt.You can fly solo on your job hunt. But why would you want to? Connect with a recruiter, and let tell them “Find me a job,” and let them do the work.Discover what fields our skilled recruiters specialize in — and how Robert Half can help with your job search.
