Four Reasons to Use a Tech Recruiting Agency to Land Your Next Job
Four Reasons to Use a Tech Recruiting Agency to Land Your Next Job!
It’s the greatest time to be alive! Cliché as it may sound, there is perhaps no single group of people that statement rings truer for than tech’s beloved disciples: programmers and engineers.
From catered lunches to vacation stipends, to swanky decked out offices reminiscent of sci-fi command centers, companies big and small are rolling out the red carpet for tech’s best and brightest.
It’s not just the perks that are stacking up. In the US, the median salary for a Software Developer role (the largest category of tech jobs tracked by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics) has officially reached six figures.
Other tech roles in the six-figure salary club include Hardware Engineers ($115,120), Network Architects ($104,650), and Systems Managers ($139,220).
Demand is at an all-time high with over half a million open tech jobs to choose from in the US alone. Is it a bubble? The short answer is no (the long answer is also no). By 2020, openings for tech roles are expected to continue to increase to over a million jobs. That’s right, a MILLION open jobs.
So why is finding that perfect role (or for first timers … any role) still so challenging?
If only there was someone who could help. Someone whose mission it was to help connect companies and job seekers.
We know what you’re thinking.
We don’t blame you. Tech recruiting agencies suck. The bad ones do anyway. And just like any bad relationship, they can leave you feeling hopeless, abandoned, and like you’ll never be able to find someone who truly understands you. Well we’re here to tell you that there’s still hope. That some of us out here really do care (and that one day you will love again … just saying). So putting those other recruiters aside, here are the top four reasons working with the right tech recruiting agency partner can make all the difference in your next job search.
#1: Access to More Jobs
Not all jobs are publicly advertised or posted online.
In fact, the number of jobs NOT listed online could be as high as 80 percent.
This is where having a relationship with a good recruiter can give you access to roles you’d never otherwise hear about. And because agency recruiters typically work with multiple companies, if they’re reaching out to you about one role they likely have several others you might also be interested in.
For jobs that are posted online, making it through the digital stack of resumes to get an interview can prove to be a near impossible task even for the most qualified tech aficionados.
This is, again, where working with a tech recruiting agency who has a relationship with the company and hiring manager is a huge advantage over applying directly.
#2: They Know the Hiring Manager
Perhaps the best perk of working with a good tech recruiter is the information and leverage they have, especially when it comes to the interview process. Good recruiters know way more about what companies are looking for than what’s listed on a job description. How? They form deep relationships with CTOs and hiring managers. They know exactly what their clients are looking, and will actively help you prepare for interviews by sharing that information with you.
A good tech recruiter will have your back, and promote you to the company above and beyond what you would ever be able to do on your own.
Not only will they do their best to help you prepare for interviews, they will also collect feedback from you to help them advocate on your behalf.
Their goal is to help their clients fill open roles with qualified candidates as quickly as possible. If they believe you’re the right fit, they will leverage their relationship to make sure you have the best possible shot of landing the role.
#3: Avoiding Awkward Moments
Maybe you forgot to ask an important question, or maybe you have real concerns about the company you weren’t comfortable discussing during your interview.
Whatever the issue, having someone in your corner who can speak on your behalf when you can’t or don’t want to, who can ask the tough questions, is an invaluable asset during the hiring process.
Good tech recruiting agencies have enough trust built up with their clients to where they can always go back to them whether it’s to get more information or to advocate directly on your behalf.
The big takeaway here (much like with #3) is that once a recruiter has determined that you’re a good fit they really will fight for you and make sure you are fully taken care of throughout the hiring process.
Which leads us to…
#4: Negotiating the Best Offer
Many people have no clue what the market value of their skills are beyond their current salary, and maybe what they’ve heard from friends at other companies.
And then there are the other aspects of an offer. Time off. Benefits. Equity. Just to name a few.
Even if you’re in the rare club that knows exactly how much you’re worth and you have all the details of your ideal package figured out, you still probably don’t want to be responsible for negotiating your own offer. It’s awkward. You’ve spent all this time proving your skills, building rapport with the team, just so you could have an epic showdown with your potential new boss regarding your compensation package?
Sure, hopefully you’ve done so well throughout the interview process that the negotiation is simply them asking you what you want and giving it to you. But if that’s not the case, you want to work with someone who truly understands your value and will advocate fiercely on your behalf.
Remember, the compensation for an agency recruiter is typically tied to your salary (as well as you staying put) so it’s in their best interest to bring you an offer that you will be very, very happy with.
The Bottom Line
Working with a tech recruitment agency can be a huge advantage during your job search. You get access to more openings, critical feedback, an advocate throughout the hiring process, and negotiating power.
Good tech recruiters are in it for the long haul just like you are. They make their living based on their relationship and their reputation. They won’t sacrifice either just to fill a position.
Here at Source Coders our focus is connecting coders with passion to companies with purpose. We wish you luck on your journey and look forward to connecting.