Career advice: Don't Count on Recruiters To Get You a Good Job Fast

The answer is yes and no. The services of good recruiters can make your job hunt easier and faster if they've developed relationships with the companies that most interest you. They can explain the pros and cons of each company they recommend to help you better judge if you want to apply for a job with a particular company. Recruiters also can help you prepare for interviews with their clients so you can put your best foot forward. Plus, they can assist you in negotiating a favorable deal, especially if you're somewhat inexperienced in knowing what the going rate for someone with your talents might be.

That said, ask yourself the following if you're using a recruiter as your only avenue for finding a job: What is it about you that will make recruiters put your file on the top of the pile and use their time and energy to find you the right opportunity? Are you unique enough and is your background and experience sufficient to really interest recruiters to put you forward to their clients? Good recruiters work with many candidates, so you'd better bring something special to the table if you want to benefit from the relationship.

No one will ever care as much about what happens to you or know you as well as you do. So, don't rely exclusively on the efforts of others to get you what you want. Do some of the work yourself. If you have the kind of background that would interest a recruiter, you have the kind of background that will interest employers. Do research on companies you like and approach them without waiting for a third party to make an entry for you. Use a recruiter if you like, but don't sit back and wait for someone else to shape your future.