We’ve found that many job seekers are still confused about working with a Recruiter. Why work with someone on your job search when you can do it alone? We understand your confusion and are here to assist in your career aspirations any way we can.
We recently interviewed a candidate who we helped find a good fit within the profession and this is what he shared about his experience:
Paulina W: What are the common misconceptions about working with a Recruiter?
John O: It’s about whose side you are on. “Is the Recruiter working for me or for the employer?” Most candidates want to know if you have their best interest in mind, how we are getting paid, and what the overall process will be like. Candidates are unfamiliar with the recruiting space, especially young people out of school so it will most likely be their first time working with someone to help them find a job. Going through your process, especially after the first phone interview, helped me understand that you are truly trying to find a position that matches what I am looking for and my skillset. The Recruiters I spoke with took the time to listen to my career aspirations, but did not shy away from discussing potential problem areas with some of the opportunities I was being considered for, or why I wasn’t a good fit. This is the moment I figured out they’re not like your typical headhunter; they are more like career coaches and matchmakers.
Paulina W: Tell me about your experience working with an industry-specific Recruiter.
John O: You speak the same language. New Planner Recruiting is made up of CFP’s, professionals still practicing financial planning, Recruiters who have Master’s degrees in Financial Planning, etc. It was evident that you understand the industry, and more specifically, the relationship between a hiring manager and a potential candidate. The interview questions I was asked weren’t your traditional interview questions like, “what are your strengths and weaknesses.” They were more industry specific which really caused me to think about my own opinions about my career and the profession. You also provided the feedback I needed to hear. I was told that I needed to sit for the CFP exam asap since I didn’t have a spouse or kids, and I did just that. Thinking back today, I can’t imagine how much harder it would have been juggling so much while studying for the CFP exam.
Paulina W: How did we help prepare you to interview with potential employers?
John O: It changed my mindset. My mind was in financial planning mode because of the discussions I had with New Planner Recruiting. I got to ask questions about the firm and position which gave me an insight prior to interviewing with the potential employer. I also got a feel for the type of questions I might be asked in an interview so it helped me step up my game. Since we had talked about potential red flags, I knew how to address them if they ever came up in an interview.
Paulina W: What did you wish you knew before working with us?
John O: How well connected New Planner Recruiting is. It seems that the team has relationships with a lot of well-respected professionals in the industry. I wasn’t aware of the caliber of firms you work with. They are top firms offering good opportunities for those who want to focus on the planning and not have to worry about cold calling. Oh, and it’s FREE for the candidate!
Paulina W: What would you tell someone who is considering using our services?
John O: It’s not an easy process. If you want them to hand over your resume to firms without getting to know you and your career aspirations, it won’t be a good fit. They don’t work with every candidate so you have to bring you’re A-game by demonstrating your skills through an interview and assessments. The assessments are industry related so you get the chance to show off your skills and as a plus, they go over the results with you and give you feedback. Once you complete the process, it’s nice knowing you are getting referred by a company that is well respected. You have their credibility behind you which is something I valued since I might not have been able to interview with the firms I did had I just submitted my resume myself. New Planner Recruiting is very selective and exclusive when it comes to working with candidates. If they just worked with everyone trying to find a job in financial planning, I probably wouldn’t have worked with them.
Finding a job is easy, but finding the right fit can be tough, so why bear the burden on your own?! You can gain a lot by working with a Recruiter – access to opportunities that might not be publicly listed, coaching, insider market information, comparison as to how you stand versus other candidates, compensation and benefit packages, etc. Let us know if you’re ready to take advantage of these benefits and connect with a Recruiter today.