Transitioning from college into the workforce can cause apprehension and be stressful for young, aspiring professionals. In fact, 53% of recent graduates are either unemployed or underemployed and the unemployment rate for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 4% (whattobecome.com). The reality is job searching is tough, especially in today’s job market. However, working with a recruiter is a great way to give yourself a leg up in your job search and form a valuable connection for the future.
So, what exactly is a recruiter? Recruiters help people find jobs for free. Their incentive comes from the company or agency they work for; they get paid to find candidates for open positions. Palmer Group is an employment agency that specializes in placing candidates across seven major industries. With over 50 recruiters on staff, they assist a variety of clients ranging from local businesses to Fortune 500 companies.
When working with a recruiter at Palmer Group, you'll receive the following free services:
- Personalized job search assistance
- Resume and cover letter evaluation
- Customized interview training
- Extensive knowledge of local markets
- Increased exposure to employers
- Honest and immediate professional feedback
Partnering with a recruiter can give you an advantage in your job search right out of college because they’re well-connected with hiring managers across numerous companies. Working with a recruiter gives you access to their network, which is a key part of job searching. Below is an outline of what partnering with a Palmer Group recruiter is like.
First Steps
If you’re a new candidate who hasn’t worked with Palmer Group before, you'll be asked to schedule a virtual or in-person meeting with a recruiter who specializes in your industry of interest. This initial meeting is meant to gain more insight into who you are, your work experience, and what jobs you’re interested in pursuing.
Based on that conversation, the recruiter will be able to gauge if you’re a good fit for any current job openings or if you’ll need to continue your search while the recruiter waits for a new opportunity to become available. If your experience and interests align with an open position, the recruiter will promptly share more information about the role.
Open Jobs & Resume Submission
If you and the recruiter are both in agreement that the open role is something you’d like to apply for, the recruiter will share your tailored resume with the hiring manager in charge of the position and will submit a write-up explaining why they should consider you for the role.
If the hiring manager reviews your information and thinks you’ll be a good fit, they will communicate with the recruiter details of your first interview such as: who is conducting it, when it’s being conducted, and where the interview will take place.
Interview Preparation
Many college students haven’t had the opportunity to interview for an entry-level job, especially those without an internship. By teaming up with Palmer Group’s recruiters, you can gain great insights into interview preparation and expectations throughout every stage of the process. Another added perk is that through your professional relationship, your recruiter has gained knowledge about your experiences and your personality, and they can use that valuable information to make you comfortable during the interview process.
Part of the interview preparation that recruiters will help coach you through is answering questions effectively about yourself. Including common questions like, “Tell us about a time where you had a conflict with a co-worker. How did you resolve it?” or “Tell me about a time when you demonstrated leadership skills”.
In addition to interview preparation, your recruiter will cover what you should wear, what should and shouldn’t be said, how to negotiate pay, and what to ask during the interview based on the research the recruiter recommends you conduct beforehand. The information on your resume, your personality, and the extensive knowledge recruiters know about Palmer Group’s clients and their position's will arguably prepare you for an interview better than anyone else can.
Accepting an Offer
After your first interview, your recruiter will debrief you and ask how the interview went and see if anything has changed regarding your interest in the position. If there are any additional interviews that take place, the recruiter will do the same preparation as the first, with some slight tweaks depending on the difference in potential questions being asked or the person conducting the interview.
If the hiring manager wants to make you a job offer, your recruiter will receive the offer in writing and communicate its terms to you; then you can either accept, counter, or reject the offer. If the offer is accepted, your recruiter will give you a start date and begin the onboarding process. Throughout the time at your new position, your recruiter will schedule periodic check-ins to see how you’re acclimating to the new position.
Stress and apprehension are feelings every student feels post-graduation when starting their job search. When you connect with a recruiter at Palmer Group, you’ll be supported from start to finish during your job search and benefit from a longstanding connection with an individual that wants to help grow and develop your career.
To get started, contact us to get connected with a recruiter or apply today for an open position!
Gage Smith | Marketing and Communications Intern