When it comes to working with external recruiters, honesty is the best policy.

You've been searching for a job for some time now, and it's taking a lot longer than you thought to land an interview. Or, maybe you're not happy in your current position and you're ready to make your next career move — but you're not sure where to start and if you even have the time to do it.

Enter the external recruiter.

It can take some time to land your ideal job, especially in a competitive job market. Therefore, it can help to work with someone who knows the industry and what it takes to get hired. An external recruiter will work with you to identify the right job fit before selling you to prospective employers.

Plus, it doesn't cost you a thing to work with an external recruiter, given that they get paid by the companies for which they recruit. Simply take the time to heed their recommendations to create effective marketing collateral — your resume, cover letter, social media profiles — and communicate your goals with them. Once your marketing materials are up to par, then the recruiter will take it from there to submit your information to prospective employers and hopefully land you an interview.

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Many candidates make working with an external recruiter difficult

Considering the benefits of working with an external recruiter, it's outstanding how many times candidates flunk out when it comes to making the most out of this relationship. Lack of preparation, lack of foresight, and miscommunication are just some of the reasons that candidates make working with a recruiter difficult.

Besides being difficult, being dishonest, whether intentionally or not, is another reason the relationship between a candidate and recruiter is unsuccessful, from my experiences. Whereas some of the factors that make working with a recruiter difficult are addressable, if you're dishonest, you're setting yourself up to fail and the ramifications can be irreversible. Below are three reasons why you must always be honest with the recruiters you choose to work with.

Don't waste their time (or yours)

Time is one commodity that, once you've spent, you can't get back. With busy schedules and full calendars, recruiters are selective about where they spend their time. If a recruiter is taking the time to invest in you as a recruit, respect them enough to be honest. Doing so will save both you and them time by identifying only the jobs that make sense for them to submit you to.

Recruiters want to set you up to succeed

Unlike internal recruiters who typically receive a base salary, the majority of external recruiters work on commission, so they are invested in your success and want to set you up to succeed. To do that, they need the facts, including your interests, salary requirements, benefit priorities, and whether or not other recruiters are working on your behalf to submit you to jobs. Also, if they know exactly what you want in terms of job position, they can help you land that job sooner than if they need to scramble around placing you in positions that aren't a good fit.

You don't want to burn bridges

It's a small world, as they say, and recruiters — both external and internal — talk to each other. If you are dishonest and burn a bridge with one recruiter, there is a good chance another recruiter will find out and disregard your resume if it lands on their desk. A recruiter might even take it so far as to inform their clients about you, so act professionally and be upfront and honest when working with external recruiters.

5 things to communicate with your external recruiter

Sometimes, a candidate is dishonest with a recruiter because they are afraid the recruiter won't work for them if they are honest about specific details. The opposite is true.

For example, if a recruiter asks you to if you'd like for him to submit your resume for a particular position and you say yes, then great! But, if he later finds out that you already applied for the job, he will not be happy and, in many instances, nor will the employer. If you tell a recruiter you're not working with another recruiter, and they find out that you are because both recruiters submitted you for the same position, neither recruiter will be happy, and they will not want to work with you in the future.

It's essential to communicate with your recruiter if:

1.     You've already applied for or have been submitted by another recruiter for a position they mention to you

2.     You're working with another recruiter (which is OK in most instances, as long as you're honest about it)

3.     You're not interested in a position they want to submit you for

4.     You have other offers pending or have accepted another position

5.     You know what your minimum salary and compensation package requirements are

An external recruiter wants to do right by you, so do right by them by being honest. It's the best way to land your ideal job sooner rather than later, and you'll be building a long-term relationship to utilize as needed throughout your career.

Looking to work with an external recruiter, but not sure if your resume is ready? Check with a free resume review today!

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