The Career Move You Didn’t Know You Needed

The Career Move You Didn’t Know You Needed
January 15, 2025 Construction People

Why partnering with a good recruiter could be your best career move

If you’re an experienced construction professional, the idea of working with a recruiter might feel unnecessary. Maybe you’re not actively looking for a job, or perhaps you’ve had mixed experiences with recruiters in the past. However, partnering with a recruitment specialist could be the move that unlocks career opportunities you never knew existed.

career move you need to progress your career

So, what does a recruiter do for you?

Think of a recruiter as your personal career advocate. While it’s common to associate recruiters with filling roles for companies, top recruiters are just as invested in helping professionals like you find roles that match with your skills, goals, and long-term aspirations.

Here’s how a recruiter can be a game-changer for your career:

  1. Access to the Hidden Job Market
    Many of the best opportunities aren’t advertised publicly. These ‘hidden jobs’ often come through a recruiter’s network. By working with a recruiter, you gain access to roles that might never show up on a job board but are perfect for what you’re looking for.
  2. Tailored Career Guidance
    A good recruiter doesn’t just push jobs – they take the time to understand your career path, goals, and what drives you. Whether it’s how to negotiate a higher salary, identifying growth opportunities, or transitioning to a new specialty, they offer personalised advice to help you make a successful move.
  3. Advocacy and Representation
    Recruiters don’t just submit your resume and hope for the best. They advocate for you, highlighting your skills and achievements directly to hiring managers. This personalised introduction often carries more weight than an emailed resume.
  4. Industry Insights
    Specialised recruiters know the construction industry inside out. They understand what companies are looking for, current salary benchmarks, and emerging trends. With this knowledge, you can stay ahead and remain competitive in a fast-paced, constantly changing market.

Common concerns about working with a recruiter

“I’m not actively job hunting”
That’s okay! Many professionals work with recruiters even when they’re happy in their current role. It’s more about keeping your options open and staying informed about what’s out there – whether it’s preparing for a step up, weighing up a sideways move to gain additional skills, discussing how best to ask for a salary increase, or generally finding out about roles that might be a better fit for your skills, goals, or lifestyle. A good recruiter is not just there to fill an immediate role, but rather to assist with your long-term career planning and to find you a company and a role that satisfies your career goals.

“I don’t want to risk my current job”
Reputable recruiters operate with complete confidentiality. They’ll never share your details or approach companies without your explicit permission, so your current position is never compromised. Just like doctors, recruiters are bound by privacy laws, making it both illegal and unethical to release any of your information without your consent.

“Recruiters are just salespeople”
The best recruiters are career consultants. They focus on building long-term relationships, not just filling a vacancy. When you work with someone who specialises in construction recruitment, you’ll feel the difference in their expertise and the effort they put into matching you with opportunities that you’ll be successful in.

“I can do it myself”

Many professionals feel confident in their ability to find opportunities using job boards, LinkedIn, or personal networks. They may see working with a recruiter as unnecessary, especially if they’ve successfully landed roles by themselves before. However, this approach can limit access to jobs outside of their personal network – roles that aren’t publicly advertised but are filled through other industry connections. Recruiters bring expertise, insider knowledge, and relationships with hiring managers that can give candidates a competitive edge they might not achieve alone.

career move you need - partner with a good recruiter

What you stand to gain

  1. Opportunities You Didn’t Know Existed
    Perhaps you’re comfortable in your current role, but what if there’s an even better one waiting? Recruiters often uncover opportunities that align with your skills and values while offering career potential you hadn’t considered.
  2. A Competitive Edge
    With their understanding of industry trends, recruiters help highlight your skills and make sure you stand out as a top candidate to employers. From refining your CV to helping you prepare for interviews, they help provide the tools and insights you need to make an impression.
  3. A Partner for the Long Haul
    Even if now isn’t the right time for a move, staying connected with a recruiter can be a good step for the future. They’ll keep you in mind for future opportunities and provide helpful career advice as the industry continues to grow and change.

How to reach out to a recruiter

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Do Your Research

  1. Identify recruiters who specialise in your industry or field (eg. white-collar construction).
  2. Review their LinkedIn profiles or websites to understand their focus and how they can help you.
  3. Check for recommendations or referrals from colleagues or industry connections
  4. Look at reviews / testimonials to gauge their reputation
  5. Assess the quality of content they share on LinkedIn or their website – insightful and relevant content can indicate their expertise
  6. Consider how responsive and professional they appear in their online interactions or communications

Choose the Right Platform

  1. LinkedIn is the most common platform for reaching out to recruiters.
  2. Email is also effective if their contact information is publicly available.

Personalise Your Message
Avoid generic messages like “Do you have any jobs for me?” Instead, tailor your communication. Example:

  1. Subject (if emailing): “Experienced Construction Project Manager Seeking Guidance”
  2. Message: Hi [Recruiter’s Name],
    I hope you’re doing well. My name is [Your Name], and I’m an experienced [Job Title] with [X years] in the construction industry, specialising in [specific skills or achievements]. I noticed your experience in placing professionals in white-collar construction roles and would love to connect to explore how I might match up with opportunities you’re working on. If you’re open to it, I’d be happy to share more details about my background. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you. Best regards, [Your Name]

Attach or Link Your CV

  1. If you’re emailing, attach your CV.
  2. On LinkedIn, mention that your profile includes more details about your experience.

Be Patient but Follow Up
If you don’t hear back within a day or two, send a polite follow-up. Recruiters can get very busy, and a second message can keep you top of mind. Example:

  1. Hi [Name], Just following up on my message from [Insert Date]. I’d love to connect when you have a moment to discuss opportunities or advice you may have for someone with my experience.

By keeping it professional and personalised, you’ll leave a great impression and increase your chances of forming a strong connection.

Wrap-up

If you’re curious about exploring new opportunities or simply want to know your worth in today’s market, reaching out to a recruiter can be a great first step. It’s a low-risk, high-reward way to ensure you’re staying on top of your career – even if you’re not actively job hunting.

A good recruiter won’t just help you find your next role; they’ll help you find the role that moves you closer to your career goals. That’s why partnering with a good recruiter could be the career move you didn’t know you needed.

Looking for your next construction job? Search our current construction roles here, or to chat with our team about securing your next opportunity, get in contact with us through our Contact Us page.

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