5 tips on How to Avoid Bad Recruiters and Identify the Traits of a Good One

Let’s face it, there are lots of recruiters out there. On the surface, all look the same… experts in their field. However, not all recruiters are created equal.

While a good recruiter can be a valuable asset, a bad one can be a massive waste of time. So how do you avoid bad recruiters and shed light on the qualities that define a good recruiter.

A good recruiter demands some of your time! A good recruiter will demand that you commit some of your time to them and in return they will commit a lot of their time to you. Either in hiring or job searching. Just like there are plenty of recruiters out there, so are their plenty of clients and candidates and a good recruiter doesn’t want to be wasting time with window shoppers. Recruiting is extremely time consuming, so there needs to be buy in on both sides. A hiring manager who refuses to discuss what’s important to them, fundamentally doesn’t understand that 15min of their time results in more than a week worth of effort. A candidate who says “just send me the job description” doesn’t understand that there’s much more to successful processes than a reused job description.

Understanding of your organization and industry: A good recruiter takes the time to ask questions about everything! They invest effort in comprehending your specific needs and requirements. This understanding allows them to effectively represent you, ensuring a better fit. Avoid recruiters who show a lack of interest or fail to grasp the nuances of what is important to you, as this can lead to mismatches in candidate selection.

Strong relationship building and networking skills: A good recruiter excels in building strong relationships with candidates, hiring managers, and industry professionals. They understand the importance of long-term relationships and maintaining a robust talent network. Avoid recruiters who lack relationship-building skills or fail to establish meaningful connections, as this can limit their ability to attract top talent.

Results-oriented approach: A good recruiter is focused on delivering results. They understand the importance of timely and successful placements. They set realistic expectations, establish clear hiring timelines, and work diligently to meet your recruitment goals. Avoid recruiters who consistently fail to deliver results, miss deadlines, or demonstrate a lack of accountability.

Stay away from generalists: A recruiter that says they can recruit anything from admin, to IT security to sales, to hospitality; is to be avoided. It’s not possible to build and maintain a strong network in so many different fields and whilst they might have occasional matches, it is unlikely that there will be the possibility of repeat business and the efficiencies of specialisation. Navigating the recruitment process requires investing time in identifying and partnering with good recruiters. By seeking recruiters who focus on your sector whilst possessing the qualities above and avoiding those who appear overly “transactional”, you increase the likelihood of finding a recruitment partner who can effectively support you towards long-term success.