How to Choose the Right Recruiter for Your Career...

I can’t stress enough the value of engaging a good recruiter, particularly a niche recruiter who truly understands your market. The challenge, of course, is knowing how to tell a good recruiter from a bad one. For many candidates, that can feel confusing and overwhelming.

So here’s a simple way to think about it: treat choosing a recruiter like due diligence. The right recruiter can open doors and guide your career forward. The wrong one can waste your time and damage your confidence.

Do They Really Know Your Market?

A recruiter’s market knowledge should be obvious. One of the easiest ways to assess this is through LinkedIn. Any recruiter worth their salt will be active there on a daily basis.

Ask yourself: are they just posting job after job, or are they adding value? Strong recruiters share insights, market commentary, and relevant content for the sector they operate in. If they understand your industry, it will show in how they talk about it publicly.

Check Their Track Record

Scroll to the bottom of their LinkedIn profile and look for recommendations. A good recruiter should have multiple testimonials that speak to the service they provide.

Even better, see if you know anyone connected to them. If you have a trusted colleague or contact who’s worked with that recruiter before, reach out and ask about their experience. Reputation matters in recruitment, and word of mouth is still one of the strongest indicators of quality.

Test Their Responsiveness

Before you send your CV, make contact. A professional recruiter should be responsive and come back to you quickly. If they don’t, that’s a red flag. Poor communication early on is usually a sign of poor communication throughout the process.

Recruitment is a relationship business. If someone is too busy to respond at the start, they’re unlikely to give you the attention you deserve later.

Get Them on the Phone

This is critical. Don’t rely solely on emails or messages, actually speak to them. A proper conversation allows you to understand how they work, what questions they ask, and whether they genuinely listen.

Pay attention to how the conversation feels. Do you like them? Do you trust them? Do they seem interested in your career, not just filling a role? Ultimately, you need to decide whether this is someone you believe can help you find your next opportunity.

Make an Informed Decision

If their market knowledge checks out, they have strong recommendations, they’re responsive, and you feel confident after speaking with them, then give them a chance. Choosing the right recruiter can make a meaningful difference to your job search and your long-term career progression.

Key Takeaways

• A niche recruiter with strong market knowledge adds real value

• LinkedIn activity and content are good indicators of expertise

• Recommendations and reputation matter

• Responsiveness is a key sign of professionalism

• Always speak to a recruiter before committing