"I don't need a recruiter".....

Sometimes candidates figure out who the company is we are recruiting for without contacting us or before we divulge our client's name. Have you ever thought "I don't need a recruiter to apply to that company because I can apply direct"?
We will respond that having an advocate on your behalf, presenting you to the client can give you a much better edge than going direct. We look out for your best interests to be presented in the best possible way, to help the hiring manager see that you are a good candidate for the position. We have a stake in your success with our client.
We can give you insight about the client so that you can prepare your resume to appeal to them and catch their attention. Often great candidates who submit their resumes directly, who are not fully advised on what the client is "really" looking for may be set aside or ignored by the client.
Our clients have already budgeted a fee for us to find and present candidates, so there is no thought from the client that he would rather select a candidate who applies direct over one we present to them.

Good economic news for us all

Here is some good news posted recently from a colleague in the recruiting/staffing industry:

Want to hear some GOOD NEWS about the ECONOMY for a change?I've been speaking with a lot of my clients in the staffing industry and everyone seems to agree that things are starting to pick up in some market segments. Most senior decision makers don't expect a lot out of Q2 but are more optimistic about Q3 and Q4. Most everyone agrees that Q1 of 2010 should be much better. The Staffing Industry Analysts, the leading data-producing organization on the staffing industry, recently reported that the Economic Cycle Research Institute, which tracks a complete basket of leading indicators, reported on April 9 that “we are fast approaching an upturn in U.S. economic growth when the pace of recession will begin to slow.”While this might not be cause for a huge party, those of use who have been in staffing long enough know that if you can weather the lows, the highs will be fantastic. And as always, staffing firms will be at the tip of the spear when the economy gives us the smallest window of opportunity.

Do you fit the company culture where you want to work?

Every company has its own culture, including philosophy of conducting business, casual atmosphere or formal atmosphere, open or closed door policies, fun or serious, level of integrity, passions, employee loyalties, style of communications etc... etc. The company culture is influenced by the kind of people who work there. If you fit the culture...(after checking it out with a little research and talking to employees or people you know who used to work there), then you are far more likely to get a job there when a position comes up that needs your skills.
People hire people they like and are most comfortable with.
So forget chasing jobs at companies where you know you won't like the company culture or the people you'll be working with.
Keep making contact and expanding your network with people you like who work for companies you want to work for and you may be able to get the inside track for jobs that you are a great fit for. That way you'll be first in line to be considered and you may get the job without being in competition for it. Often busy hiring managers will hire someone they know and like when a position needs to be filled and the position is never posted to the outside world, except in corporations who must follow strict hiring practices and procedures.

Do Independent Consultants value a talent agent?

My staffing firm, Marcom Choices Staffing represents independent consultants in the marketing communications arena, just like a talent agent (in addition to conducting search and recruiting for regular, full-time marketing candidates for companies in the high-tech areas.)

When we identify you as a top contracting candidate for our client, we advise you on how to best present your skills and give you inside information about the needs of this client so that you can prepare a great resume or summary of your skills and projects that will impress the client. We want you to be successful in landing a job with our client because we screen you for the job and we know you can do it well. Then we present your resume and evangelize your attributes for the job.

What is this service worth to our marketing candidates looking for consulting/contract jobs?

Are you OK with allowing Marcom Choices to receive 15-20% of your hourly pay rate? You, in effect are discounting your desired hourly rate to Marcom Choices by 15-20%, to allow us to receive compensation for getting you the contract job.