Looking for a tech job? The market is in your favor. In October, employers posted 360,065 tech jobs. That was almost 76,000 more than the month before, and it was the highest monthly total since September 2019, according to CompTIA.
If you have the right skills, you may have your pick of roles. How do you choose the one that fits? How do you match the job's needs and still show your best self in the interview?
Working with a recruiter can help.
Have you worked with a recruiter? More than a job lead, your recruiter can act as coach, mentor, and partner. A recruiter's goal is to help you find work you like and help employers find strong hires.
Our recruiting team knows the tech market well. We know the local market and the national market. We also know our clients' needs and company culture. That helps us match the right person with the right role.
— James Wilton, National Account Manager at Genesis10, Recruiters vs Bots: Bring it on!
What can you expect from your recruiter?
Recruiters place candidates in roles. They know what works and what does not. They are not done until you are hired.
If you see a job you want, apply within 24 to 48 hours, Kerri Montana says. Many candidates do not know that. That small step can make a real difference.
When you work with a recruiter, Indeed says to use the time to improve your resume and practice interview skills. That is part of recruiter interview preparation. It can help you with this job and with future ones.
Improve Your Resume
A recruiter can review your resume and help it show the skills and experience the employer wants. These recruiter resume tips can help you focus on what matters most.
Indeed says a recruiter can tell you which skills the company values most. That helps you shape your resume and decide whether the job fits you.
A rule of thumb: every resume can be improved.
Your recruiter may make edits to your resume. A good recruiter will ask before sending it to an employer. If they do not show you the changes, ask to see them. You want to make sure nothing could hurt your background check. Your resume must match your job application.
Practice Your Interview Skills
A recruiter can explain the employer's interview process and help you get ready.
They can often share sample questions the interviewer may ask. This can help you prepare for the hiring manager. Some recruiters will even set up a practice interview. That is a great way to build your skills and get ready for the real meeting.
When we ask candidates if they have ever been prepped for an interview, most say no. In our recent blog, How to Prepare for a Job Interview, we shared tips that helped our candidates. We suggest learning about the company and its products. We also suggest asking your recruiter about the company culture, the tech setup, and the hiring timeline.
Of course, do your own homework too.
- Research the company and its culture so you can add to what your recruiter tells you.
- Review the hiring manager's LinkedIn profile so you know more before the interview.
Recently, a candidate sent us a note thanking Genesis10 for helping with her search:
Thank you for taking the time on a Friday to give me great feedback on my resume and advice on how to prepare better for interviews.
It was hard to keep going after hundreds of hours on one document, no feedback, and growing self-doubt. I cannot thank you enough. I will follow up with the companies you suggested and look at contract work. Your help gave me hope and kept me moving forward.
Ask Questions
If you have questions for your recruiter, ask them. It is part of their job. A recruiter should help candidates feel safe enough to speak up. Montana says most candidates do not know they can ask, or do not feel free to ask. Questions to ask a recruiter can include:
- Am I the only person your firm is presenting?
- Can this role convert to full time?
Many candidates worry that asking about the second question could hurt their chances.
Salary is another sensitive topic. But these recruiter salary negotiation tips can help. Indeed says that before you decide if a role is a good fit, you should look at pay and benefits. If the range is too low, you can save your time for other roles. If you know your target salary, the recruiter may point you toward a better fit later.
If the hiring manager's salary range is higher than expected, you can use that to negotiate if you get an offer. You can ask for more if the company's range is well above its first offer.
And you can always ask us questions! If you need help with your resume or interview prep, let us know. We are happy to help.
Good luck with your job search!
Q&A
Question: How exactly can a recruiter improve my chances of getting an interview?
Answer: Recruiters know the talent market and what employers want. They can help you shape your resume, tell you when to apply, and share likely interview questions and process tips. That can help you fit the role and show your best self to hiring managers.
Question: Will a recruiter change my resume, and should I be concerned about that?
Answer: Yes. Good recruiters often suggest edits so your resume shows the skills the employer wants most. Always review and approve changes before the resume is sent. Your resume must match what you put on job applications so you avoid background check issues.
Question: What kind of interview preparation can I expect from a recruiter?
Answer: Many recruiters share details about the employer's interview process, offer sample questions, and may run mock interviews. They can also share tips on company culture, the tech setup, and hiring timing. You should also research the company and the hiring manager yourself, such as on LinkedIn.
Question: What questions am I allowed to ask my recruiter?
Answer: You can ask anything that helps you make a good choice. For example, ask whether you are the only candidate being presented and whether the role can turn into a permanent job. Salary is fair to discuss too. Talking about your target range helps the recruiter guide you to the right roles and negotiate well if you get an offer.
Question: Why work with a recruiter if there are so many tech openings right now?
Answer: Even in a strong market, fit matters. A recruiter acts as coach, mentor, and partner. They match your skills to roles where you can do well, help you apply at the right time, improve your resume and interview prep, and give you employer insight you will not get from a job post alone.
