Leading property recruitment expert, Sharon Bennie tells us how to work with a recruiter to land a job in real estate.
If you're on the hunt for a job, there's a good chance a recruiter has put the feelers out over LinkedIn.
But before you blow off their LinkedIn messages and continue your job search solo, you should probably read this.
Recruiters are ideally placed to help you find work and improve your job seeking skills, so you'd actually be nutso not to use their help.
It also pays to understand what they do, and how they can help you in your job search.
WILLIAMS MEDIA sat down with property recruitment expert, Sharon Bennie to find out how to work with a recruiter to snag that perfect job in real estate.
Firstly, what are the benefits of using a recruiter?
Well, there are loads.
"Given we meet with such a large volume of candidates coming out of roles, we get a lot of information on the workplace environment of agencies. We can help candidates avoid the pitfalls of poor employer choices by imparting some of our "insider knowledge"," Sharon said.
"Due to recruiters contacts and knowledge of the market, they can access leading opportunities that aren't always advertised."
Start your real estate career, apply for jobs through Recon Jobs
Apart from having an insiders database of knowledge, recruiters also provide assistance with interview preparation, polish up your resume, and open doors.
"Due to a recruiters contacts and intimate knowledge of the market, they can access incredible opportunities that aren't always advertised - you can often hear about roles before they hit the marketplace," Sharon said
And it doesn't stop there.
"When you work with a recruiter, you are the client too! We realise that searching for a new job can be daunting, and we endeavour to ensure the process is a positive one for everyone," Sharon said.
Do your research first
Even though a large portion of a recruiters role is to advise and assist job seekers, Sharon says it always makes their job a little easier when the candidate has done their homework before coming to them.
Visit RECON jobs to find all the latest real estate jobs.
"While a large portion of our role is to provide candidates with counsel and advice on roles that will suit their background experience, it is always easier when they have researched the varying roles in the industry and can comment on where they feel they may be better suited from a personal interest perspective."
Clean up your CV
While part of a recruiter's job is to assist you with your CV, it helps if they have a good foundation to work with.
"A well thought out CV with relevant details is always helpful," Sharon said.
Advertise your current vacancies on Recon Jobs
Be proactive and make sure your resume is up to date before contacting recruiters.
Stuck for inspiration? Check out our articles on how to put together the perfect cover letter and resume.
Recruitment no no's
When it comes to working with recruiters, Sharon says there are a few things you should absolutely not do.
"Don't ever contact the client directly, and don't stop returning a recruiter's calls - if you've found a job, just let us know," she said.
Related reading:
Why real estate is a good industry for women
The top 10 questions recruiters ask when interviewing real estate agents