When candidates get to the stage of meeting with us, it is usually because they are at a point of transition with their career. It’s a really exciting time to decide to move on from an employer (when it’s been on a candidate’s own terms, of course). The right recruiter can be an incredibly useful ally, network and resource for those taking the next step in a career.

Here are our top ways to get the most out of engaging a recruiter:

Meet your recruiter face to face

You want your recruiter to have met you to fully understand what you’re like and what you’re looking for. They will be busy forming a profile of who you are, while you’re drinking the coffee they shouted and deciding whether you like them. It’s the most efficient way of establishing a rapport and working together.

Choice is everything… and everything can be overwhelming

When changing roles, it is crucial that you spend a lot of time thinking ‘what do I want from my next job?’, rather than simply ‘I want to leave my job’. It takes time to define this. Get specific – Do you want to work in a big agency or an independent smaller shop? Want to go client-side… What type of client and what type of role? What was missing from your last role? What type of people do you want to work alongside? Is there anything you want to do that you need extra training for? It’s a lot easier to say ‘I’m open to anything, really…’ but it doesn’t help you, or your recruiter, answer the critical questions and get you the perfect next role.

That said, being too narrow in your expectation comes with its own challenges. A candidate sent me a message the other day saying that they only wanted to work for Spotify or Google in their next role. This candidate may have every success in that clear career goal, but I wonder how many awesome opportunities might pass them by?

Ask for advice

Working long hours in a job means you may not have the time to keep abreast of how the industry is changing. For example, you might not know your worth when it comes to salary, or you might not know what it takes to step into a role in a different category. Your recruiter should be able to help with this. Use your recruiter’s industry knowledge to help form the clear shape of your next role.

Keep in touch

Above all, keeping the lines of communication open with your recruiter will help you to extract the most from your connection to them. Feel free to ask them questions about any opportunities you find and always keep them up to date on your search.