To secure that unadvertised job, try using a recruiter

Kenya: The traditional routes for finding jobs are fast diminishing. Only those using innovative ways are securing the hidden ones.

If you want to establish the truth of this inference, just ask a cross-section of people who are working today how they got their current jobs.

You will be surprised that very few got them through conventional channels such as applying for advertised jobs.

Today, most job seekers are using networks of the right insider contacts who are privy to unadvertised job leads. Many others are turning to recruiters to help in their search.

As the year breaks, you may want to consider turning to recruiters as they not only have an edge when it comes to uncovering many of these ‘hidden’ jobs, but they may also help you cut costs.

As such, a significant number of employers are turning to recruiters for their manpower needs.

Recruiters, also known as headhunters, can save you time as they will guide you through the vast job market and speed up your search.

Headhunters have credible contacts and can be helpful, especially when tracking unadvertised positions.

Potential employers may contact them directly when looking for the right person to do a specific job as they may not have time to sort through hundreds of CVs.

For job seekers, recruiters have experience in finding the right job for you, and they can do it more than once in the event that you want to change jobs or even careers.

Ordinarily, an individual is capable of making only a few searches at a time as resources could be limited.

Work environment

In addition, recruiters are in a position to know what different employers are looking for and they understand the work environment.

As a potential job seeker, this information could be invaluable when you are preparing for an interview.

When it comes to negotiating a salary, recruiters are best placed as they know the current trends and will help you negotiate the best deal.

A good recruiter has a wide knowledge of best value for your position and a person with your qualifications and skills.

Above all, many recruiters will charge you for their services only when you have secured the job.

When dealing with recruiters, let them know what your expectations are for a given position.

It is also a good idea for you to hint to them the kind of organisations or institutions you would like to work for.

However, you must know that working with a recruiter is not always 100 per cent successful. Do not rely totally on them.

Be open-minded and consider a recruiter as just one of the many possible ways of finding a job.