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It takes one to know one! I will resist the urge to shamelessly promote my virtues. Instead, I recommend that you consider the advantages and pit falls of using a 3rd party to help you find work.

The advantages of using a professional are that they are going to dedicate their time and experience in doing the job hunting process for you. They will soften the knock backs and be in your corner to help you with the interview and placement process. They should make the job hunting process less time consuming and stressful. But it is still a relationship you have to manage.

If you have a strategy in place make sure you brief the consultants you use in that strategy. If they think it is an unrealistic strategy they will let you know. If they agree and can help, make sure they keep you informed on who they are sending your details to and why.

Yes they are an impartial and can give you a new perspective but they also have their own agendas – namely making money by matching candidates with employers. Make sure your objectives and strategies are aligned.

Advantages:

 

• Gaining a new perspective on the job market and your place in it.
• Having some one who will endorse your career aspirations and act on them.
• Taking advantage of a consultants networks and relationships for warm introductions.
• Recruiters are well versed in what are good job hunting practices.

Pitfalls:

• Recruiters can also adopt bad job hunting practices i.e. send your CV out in a non targeted fashion.
• A Recruiter can approach the wrong kind of companies, more so if you never actually meet them.
• A Consultant does not give you any feed back so you are unable to refine your search.
• Worst of all a recruiter can put you under pressure to take a position before you have fully explored the opportunities available to you.