Recruiter Job Hunting Rules: These Are The Rules All Recruiters Should Follow When Looking For An In-House Internal Recruitment Job
Working in a Recruitment Agency, while looking for a new role, sounds easy, however, it can be stressful.
We are going to explore the essential steps and considerations you need to keep in mind when seeking an In-House Recruitment role. While some aspects may seem like "teaching a granny to suck eggs," they are crucial for ensuring a smooth and successful job transition.
Finding an In-House role as a Recruiter requires a delicate approach. It's essential to balance your current position while discreetly exploring new opportunities.
Here's how to do it right by following these 9 rules.
Rule One: Prioritise Your Current Job:
Safeguard your current job by refraining from job searching or applying during work hours.
This is so obvious I really should not say it, however, it is very, very obvious the way some people go about applying for a job.
On numerous occasions, I have heard from Recruiters actively job hunting from work, who end up surprised that they get the heave-ho before their time or have their open roles reallocated.
You have a current day job. Make it your priority during work hours.
Firstly, because you are getting paid for it, and secondly, being good at Recruitment is your calling card for a new job.
So focus on it between 9-5 and leave the job hunting for home time.
Rule Two: Maintain Discretion
Ensure that your job search remains confidential, especially on platforms like LinkedIn. As a Recruiter, you are already equipped with valuable skills and knowledge about the Recruitment landscape. You need to use that to your advantage, use it with discretion.
Focus on applying for jobs in a manner that would maintain the facade that you love your current employer right up to the last minute.
Do not tell anyone whatsoever that you are applying for a new role. You might have a work bestie, crush or work wife/husband that you want to tell.
However, telling people you are leaving will put you potentially in a dodgy position with your current company and might even increase the competition for the roles you are applying for.
Lost lips can sink jobs as well as ships.
Rule Three: Define Your Ideal Role
Before applying for In-House positions, take the time to define the specific type of role you are looking for. This clarity is needed to ensure that the roles you are applying for are roles you would work in.
All applications cost time and effort, ensure you are using your time wisely.
Rule Four: Avoid Desperation
Being a desperado when looking for a new job will be difficult but important. If you approach the market in a desperate mindset it will only deliver desperate results.
Think about it this way, if you come across two equally qualified candidates in your day-to-day work, one is confident the other gives an air of desperation.
Who are you going to hire?
Rule Five: Personal Alignment
Determine how the role aligns with your life and career goals. Consider factors like work-life balance, company size, and benefits when applying for any vacancy.
If a role does not align, do not apply.
Rule Six: Explore Companies
Once you've defined your ideal role, focus on researching and exploring companies that match your criteria.
This step involves assessing the company culture, values, and overall alignment with your career aspirations.
Again, if a company does not align with your needs, do not apply. Rule Seven: Clients
Mixing job applications and clients is a shady area to be in. Make sure that you read your business terms of business before making any application.
What you do not want to do is get a job with a client on your first day and for them to get the shock of their lives when an invoice lands on their doorstep.
Rule Eight: Candidates
Always be mindful of candidates' actions and trends amongst candidates.
This is both important as you are a Recruiter, but also because there can be lessons for you as a job hunter.
Look out for the ways that might impress you and ideas you can ‘borrow’, from how they talk about themselves to the ways they write emails.
Your day job is a goldmine of advice, inspiration, ideas and approaches that you can ‘borrow’.
Rule Nine: Data
Yes, you are looking to move jobs, and yes your current employer has a stack of data that you could ‘borrow’.
However, this is not your data. Do not take, or ‘borrow’ this data. It might be tempting. Just do not. It is not as useful or unique as you might imagine.
The same goes for using this data in your job search. Be careful and mindful that although you have access to this data, it does not mean that you should be using it for job hunting.
Conclusion
Transitioning from an Agency Recruiter role to an In-House Recruitment position involves careful consideration and a thoughtful approach.
By prioritising your current job, maintaining discretion, and defining your ideal role, you'll be better equipped to navigate this important career shift.
Researching and exploring potential employers will help you identify the best fit for your skills and aspirations.
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I have also published two recruitment books, Recruitment Hacks and The InHouse Roadmap, both available on Amazon.