Value of Ongoing Recruiter Relationships

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 Recruitment is known as a fast paced industry, but there’s one part of our role as recruiters that can’t be rushed; building relationships. In my experience, creating long-term relationships with our clients, candidates, and colleagues is invaluable. Not only does this approach lead to better hiring decisions, but it also shapes careers, fuels business growth, and creates networks of trust that last for years. Here’s why long-term relationships should be the foundation of any great recruitment strategy: 𝟏. 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞  The best partnerships – whether with clients or candidates – aren’t built in a single conversation. They develop over time, through consistency, honesty, and delivering results. When businesses work with recruiters they trust, they gain a true partner, not just a service provider. The same applies to candidates. Many of the strongest hires come from professionals we’ve known for years and placed more than once. 𝟐. 𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐁𝐞 𝐚 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 One of the most rewarding aspects of long-term relationship-building is seeing how careers evolve. Many candidates we’ve placed early in their careers have gone on to become hiring managers or senior leaders, and when they need to build their own teams, they often return to the recruiters they trust. A single placement can turn into a lifelong professional partnership. 𝟑. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬  Understanding a company’s culture, leadership style, and long-term growth strategy takes time. The deeper that understanding, the better the hires. Clients who treat recruiters as strategic partners rather than short-term vendors see the biggest return on investment – not just in speed to hire, but in quality and retention. 𝟒. 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬  In today’s job market, candidates expect a personal, transparent process – one where they feel valued beyond a single application. A recruiter who stays in touch, offers advice, and provides genuine career guidance builds relationships that last. And when candidates have a great experience, they refer others, expanding the recruiter’s network even further. 𝟓. 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧  The recruitment industry is built on trust and reputation. The most successful recruiters are the ones known for honest, long-standing relationships that create value for both businesses and professionals over time. At the end of the day, recruitment is about people, not transactions. The strongest partnerships aren’t measured in placements but rather in careers built, businesses grown, and trust earned.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 - 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 & 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙨! In the world of tech recruitment, many candidates view networking as simply submitting a CV or “applying everywhere.” The true power of networking is far greater: It’s a process that builds trust between candidates and recruiters, opens opportunities, and strengthens your career🚀. As a 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗿 in a tech agency, I see every day how the relationship built with a candidate can make a real difference, not just for the next role, but for their overall professional growth🗝️. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲–𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: ‼️𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀:Recruiters & Sourcers often know about openings before they go public. Strong connections mean you’re informed first. ‼️𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁:When a recruiter knows you well, they can advocate for you with credibility. ‼️𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲:Candidates get practical advice on CVs, interviews, and skills development. ‼️𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁:The relationship doesn’t end with one placement. Recruiters can mentor, advise, and guide your growth over time. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼: 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 ✔️𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲: -Send a personal message when reaching out to connect. -Share why you’d like to connect with a recruiter or a sourcer, or what you have in common. ✔️𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁: -Stay in touch with updates on projects, skills, or learning experiences. -A small check-in every few months demonstrates engagement. ✔️𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝘀𝗸: -Share insights, ask about market trends, or showcase a side project. -Recruiters & Sourcers always remember those who bring value. ✔️𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: -Request honest feedback on your CV, interviews, or technical skills. -This shows you are eager to learn and grow. ✔️𝗕𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀: -Clearly communicate what you’re looking for: role type, seniority level, technologies of interest. -Recruiters & Sourcers can guide you better if they understand your true goals. 💡𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀: ⏳Think long-term:Networking with recruiters & sourcers isn’t just for the next role,it’s an investment in your career. 🚀Be proactive: Share updates, showcase projects, and actively ask for feedback. 🎁Add value first: Contribute before you ask, and relationships will flourish. 🔄Stay consistent: Small check-ins over time build trust and keep opportunities flowing. ✨Strong connections with Recruiters & Talent Sourcers aren’t just about landing your next position, they’re about creating a network of trusted allies who can advise, mentor, and open doors throughout your career⭐.

I’ve been in recruitment for more than 40 years, and if there’s one misconception that never seems to go away, it’s this: Recruiters are only useful when you have a job to fill, or need one yourself. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Right now, the market is tough. Companies are cautious, budgets are tight, and candidates are nervous. But this is also when good recruiters (really good recruiters) become the most valuable. Here’s how: 🔹 For hiring teams: We help you see around corners. We know who’s moving, who’s consolidating, which markets are heating up, and which ones are quietly letting go of talent. Even when you’re not hiring, we can give you market insight, salary benchmarks, and honest feedback on how your brand is perceived by candidates. 🔹 For candidates: We’re often the first to know when companies start preparing to hire again before the roles ever go public. We can help you reposition your experience, tell your story more clearly, and build visibility long before you apply for a thing. 🔹 For both: We’re connectors. We bridge people, ideas, and opportunities and sometimes the right introduction today becomes a career-changing move months down the line. So whether you’re a hiring leader or a professional quietly considering your next step, don’t wait until it’s urgent. Reach out. Have the conversation. Because recruitment, at its best, isn’t transactional, it’s relational. And if there’s one thing the last few months have reminded me, it’s that relationships built now, when things are slow, are the ones that matter most when the pace picks up again. #ExecutiveSearch #LifeSciencesRecruitment #BiotechHiring #CareerDevelopment #LeadershipHiring #RecruitmentAdvice #SharronCox

Great recruiters don’t just fill jobs. They build relationships. I’ve learned that the real value of a recruiter isn’t measured by how fast they can send over a resume. It’s in how well they know the people they work with. • I stay in touch with candidates long before the right role shows up. That way, when I do call, I already know their story, their drivers, and what’s going to make them lean in. • I spend time with hiring managers to understand what success looks like beyond a job description. Titles and buzzwords don’t tell the full story. When you take that approach, you stop being just “the recruiter” and start becoming a trusted partner. The placement is just the byproduct. The real win is the relationship.

Most candidates only call a recruiter when they need a job… and that’s the biggest mistake. I’ve seen it countless times — a great professional lands a role, goes quiet for months or years, and then reaches out again only when they’re desperate to move. But here’s the truth: the best careers are built through relationships, not transactions. When you stay connected with your recruiter — share your growth, update your goals, celebrate milestones — you become more than a CV. You become someone we invest in, advocate for, and think of when the right opportunity appears. I’ve watched candidates who stayed in touch get calls for roles they never even applied for — simply because they stayed top of mind. 🌱 Here’s how to build long-term recruiter relationships: ✅ Check in once or twice a year — even if you’re not job-hunting. ✅ Update your recruiter on new skills, certifications, or promotions. ✅ Engage professionally on LinkedIn — a comment or message goes a long way. ✅ Express gratitude — appreciation builds trust and lasting partnerships. Because strong recruiter relationships open doors long before job ads do. ♻️ Repost to inspire your network! #CareerGrowth #RecruitmentTips #ProfessionalDevelopment #JobSearchStrategies #JobHuntingTips

Long-term relationships in recruiting matter. A recruiter you talk to this week could hire you in a year. A hiring manager you meet now could recruit you to his/her next company. I hired a candidate that I stayed in touch with for 6 months (we discussed three different roles during that time). Nurture the relationships you have. If you do, you’ll be at top of mind next time they hire. —— (A few months ago I caught up with an engineering manager I hired back in 2017. That’s almost 7 years or contact!)

Most companies think the more recruiters they engage, the better their chances of finding the right hire. Not true. I’ve seen firsthand how committed relationships between recruiters and clients lead to better results. Working with fewer clients, but with more dedication, has transformed our approach. When 70% of our work became retained, the quality of hires skyrocketed, and our team’s energy soared. It’s proof that commitment drives success - for both the recruiter and the business. If you’re a recruiter, be confident that less can indeed be more. Fewer clients, more commitment, better returns. If you’re hiring, think about the quality of hire you need. How can your recruiters deliver top talent when juggling countless roles with little commitment? We don’t need to settle for the broken no-win no-fee recruitment model that works for very few.

Why Do Personal Connections with Recruiters Matter? One of the most common questions I get from job seekers is: "What can I do to improve my job search?" Today, I want to share a key strategy that many overlook—building the right relationships with the right recruiters. Most job seekers understand the Law of Reciprocity—when you build a strong relationship with a recruiter, they’re more likely to go the extra mile for you. But there’s another critical factor that often goes unnoticed: Recruiter Specialization. Even within the same firm, recruiters can be highly specialized. For example, a recruitment agency focused on Technology and Engineering might have: 🔹 A recruiter dedicated to Mechanical & Electrical Engineering roles for candidates with 0-10 years of experience. 🔹 Another recruiter focused exclusively on CTO/CIO roles in the Medical Device industry. This means that simply connecting with "a recruiter" at a firm isn’t enough—you need to connect with the right recruiter who specializes in your industry, role, and level of experience. My Tip for Job Seekers: Next time you connect with a recruiter, ask: 👉 "Do you have a Practice Lead or colleague who specializes in my industry, title, or location?" Even if they don’t, they might be able to refer you to the right person—dramatically increasing your chances of landing the perfect role. I hope this insight helps! Would love to hear your thoughts—drop your questions or experiences in the comments. #Recruitment #JobSearch #CareerGrowth #Networking

Recruiting is all about timing. The best recruiters are constantly getting to know great talent and realize that the folks they speak to today may not get hired for months or even years 😮 ‎ In the early days of Gem‎, we talked to hundreds of people & had regular touchpoints over the span of 1+ year to hire our first 10 engineers. It took several years before some folks were finally ready. People aren’t always open to new opportunities. Maybe you catch someone at the perfect time, but not usually. That’s why getting to know someone and then staying top of mind for when they start to look is so important. This is true in so many professions… sales, marketing, real estate, but especially in recruiting. The relationships you build grow & compound over time and become your competitive advantage.

In 2015, I reached out to a gentleman who was seeking a new opportunity. We successfully placed him at a company, and little did I know, this would be the start of a remarkable professional relationship. Over the years, this candidate turned into a client, then a candidate again, and back to a client. Each time he moved to a new company, he brought us with him. This experience underscores a vital lesson: the power of meaningful relationships. It’s not just about transactions; it’s about genuine connections built on mutual respect and care. Every time this client reaches out, his needs take top priority in our organization because we value the loyalty and trust we've cultivated over the years. In your role as a hiring manager, consider the relationships you build with your team, your managers, your direct reports, and your vendors. Establishing and nurturing these connections can turn one-time interactions into long-term partnerships. Having a go-to recruiter or partner who genuinely cares can make all the difference. They become an extension of your team, understanding your needs and priorities, and ensuring you always have the support you need. So, how are you nurturing your professional relationships today? Are you investing in the connections that truly matter? #Recruiting #Recruitment #Hiring #Talent #Relationships #CultureMatters