By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
Let’s cut to the chase: good recruiters are absolutely worth the fee hiring companies pay to find talent. If you’re serious about your career, you need to work with one. But don’t just grab a beginner. The difference between an amateur and a pro is the difference between a frustrating dead end and landing the job that changes your trajectory.
You need a competent, experienced professional who can truly grasp your skills, your career goals, and your unique value proposition. They’re the ones who will give you the unvarnished truth about where you stand in the current job market—even if it’s a tough pill to swallow. That honesty is gold.
The Modern Recruiter’s Edge: Access, Network, and Filtration
What does a top-tier recruiter offer you today?
1. Unparalleled Access: They are the gatekeepers. A good recruiter has established, high-level relationships with organizations you could never get into on your own. They give you direct entry to firms and roles far more efficiently than your solo efforts ever could.
2. Their Network is the Net Worth: After many years in this game, I can tell you it’s still about who you know, and who they know who you don’t know. They’re not just connected; they’re tapped into the pulse of an industry or field. When I did search, I could call people or get a same-day response to an email far more easily than the average job hunter. That rich network existed because I was paid by the employer to fill a role. This creates an ongoing, trusted relationship that put me in a unique position to advocate for someone.
3. The Ultimate Time-Saver (for Everyone): As a professional recruiter, my job was to precisely match my institutional client’s needs, culture, and requirements with the right people. For them, I was a high-powered filtration system that saves them countless hours, which translated directly into saving money. For you, the job hunter, it meant no more wasting time interviewing for roles where you were never a real fit.
The “Bad Date” Rule: Understanding the Recruiter’s Balance
It’s vital to understand the dynamic: recruiters work for an employer first, then for you. They are the client who pays the bills. My ultimate required duty was to balance the needs of the individual with the needs of the institutional client.
If I put a square peg in a round hole—if I match you to a role where you’re likely to fail—it’s like a bad date or a rushed marriage. It ends quickly in an awkward divorce. That’s bad for everyone. When I set out to make a solid, long-term fit, my clients came back for more, and the successful person eventually referred their own talented friends to me. It was good business.
How to Vett Your Secret Weapon
You need a recruiter with a high level of experience and a genuine mastery of your field or niche. Here’s how you find the right one:
Ask for Referrals (The Old-School Way): Start with your network. Ask people: “Who helped you find the job you’re in now? What was that recruiter like? Did they seem like a bad salesperson pushing a convenient role, or did they genuinely listen to your needs and goals?” You want the one who shows integrity and asks you what your needs are.
Scan the Digital Landscape: Look at LinkedIn, specialized job boards, and industry news. Who is consistently prominent in your sector? Reach out and spend a little time talking to them.
Evaluate the Conversation: Pay attention to the process. Did they ask you good, probing questions? Did they sound knowledgeable about your specific corner of the market? This simple conversation is your first interview with them.
Sometimes, they may not have time for that conversation. Be patient. The fact that they are busy is a great sign.
Your Job Search is a Collaborative Effort
I’m not saying you leave everything up to your recruiter. No one person or agency can do it all. Recruiters—agencies, headhunters, or, even me, fill about 22% of all positions in the United States. That’s a huge chunk, but it leaves 78% to other methods.
You must be proactively marketing yourself while simultaneously working with a top-tier recruiter. By combining your efforts with a professional’s access and network, you position yourself in the market in ways that going solo simply can’t achieve.
Don’t go solo when you can have a seasoned partner in your corner.
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2025
