As an IT professional, working with a recruiter can be the best tool in your toolbox to help you land your next job. They are part of a complex network, specialize in sourcing candidates with your skills, and can sell your experience to their clients.  But not all IT recruiters are alike, and choosing the right person to work with is important to ensure your success. Here are some questions to ask your IT recruiter to determine if their services are the best fit for your career.

1. How did you find me? A good way to gauge whether or not a recruiter is legitimate is to find out how they sourced your information. It also helps you better understand which aspects of your job search are working. Did they find you on social media or LinkedIn? Did someone refer you to them? Did they find you by searching for passive candidates with your skills?
2. Why should I work with you? Don’t be afraid to ask them the question directly. There are a lot of recruiters who specialize in IT, so what makes this particular recruiter different than their competition? This will allow you to determine if they are a fit for you job search and your work style.
3. How do you evaluate candidates? You also want to know how they determine you’re qualified for the job. Do they conduct an extensive pre-screening process? Will they invite you to their office to meet with them? Do they provide testing or other methods of measuring your skill? Will they check references? The more thorough they are with you, the better your experience will be.
4. What are the current IT job trends? Finally, this will give you a reasonable idea of how much they really know about the IT industry. Some recruiters are experts in their field. They may not be able to program or manage a tech project, but they know how to work with people who do. Others get into IT recruiting because it seems like a great way to make a lot of money. The only way to know for sure is to discuss the industry with them directly.

Do you want to work with knowledgeable, professional individuals to help you find your next job? We have IT recruiters located in Phoenix, Orange County, Los Angeles and Denver, so contact us today!