How to Work with a Recruiter (Even When You’re Not Job Hunting)
- Kimberly Wilson
- Mar 13
- 9 min read
Updated: 4 hours ago
Building recruiter relationships early can unlock career opportunities, long before you're ready to make a move.
TL;DR - How to Work with a Recruiter to Support Your Career (Now and Later)
▌Wondering how to work with a recruiter? Start here: recruiters are hired by companies, not job seekers, but that doesn’t mean they can’t support your goals.
▌This article explains how retained and contingency recruiters really work, what to expect (and avoid), and how to show up on their radar with the right recruiter introduction.
▌You’ll learn how to build recruiter relationships that support your career, even when you’re not actively job searching.
▌Includes recruiter tips for job seekers, job search advice, and how to stay top of mind when aligned roles open up.
If you've ever wondered, "How do I work with a recruiter to land a job?" You’re not alone. There’s a lot of confusion about what recruiters do, how they operate, and whether they can really help you in your career.
As a recruiter with nearly two decades of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how professionals misunderstand the process. Some job seekers expect recruiters to be their personal job search agents. In contrast, others don’t realize how to effectively build recruiter relationships with the right recruitment teams before they need a new role.
Understanding how to work with a recruiter, whether retained or contingency, can help you avoid wasted time and missed opportunities.
Let’s break down how recruiters work, the different types you’ll encounter, and most importantly, how you can use them strategically to advance your career.
Why Understanding How Recruiters Work Matters
Most professionals wait until they need a new role to think about recruiters, but by then, it may be too late. Understanding how recruiters operate, who they serve, and how to engage with them helps you avoid common missteps and get on the radar before it counts.
Working with recruiters is just one part of a career strategy; done well, it can lead to opportunities you never even see posted.
Who Do Recruiters Work For?
One of job seekers' biggest misconceptions is that recruiters work for them. In reality, companies hire recruiters to find the right talent, not the other way around.
That means their priority is filling roles for their client (the employer), not necessarily finding each job seeker their next role. However, when your skills align with a company’s needs, a recruiter can be your best advocate—opening doors, making introductions, and helping you navigate the hiring process.
💡Key Takeaway: If a recruiter doesn’t respond or doesn’t have a job for you right now, it’s not personal. It just means they don’t have a matching role at the moment. The best approach? Get on their radar before you need a job, so you're already in their pipeline when the right role does come up.
Types of Recruiters: Retained vs. Contingency Explained
Not all recruiters operate the same way. Understanding the differences can help you set the right expectations and know how to engage with them.
1. Contingency Recruiters
These recruiters work on a “no hire, no pay” basis. They only earn a fee if their candidate gets hired.
Companies often engage multiple contingency firms for the same role, meaning recruiters compete to present candidates as quickly as possible.
Timing is critical. If you’re actively looking and your background is a strong match, a contingency recruiter may be excited to speak with you and can move quickly to submit your resume.
Because they work on volume, contingency firms often manage many roles across industries or levels. While this results in more open positions, it can also mean less time for deep conversations about career goals or long-term alignment.
They are incentivized to move candidates forward quickly, especially if a resume looks like a close fit, but they may not always have deep insight into the company or role. Many of their clients want to move fast.
💬 Key Context: If you're a strong match when you reach out, you may become very attractive to a contingency recruiter. This can be a great way to land interviews quickly, but it's not guaranteed. Contingency recruiters genuinely want to help, but like you, they need to focus on opportunities where they can make an impact quickly.
2. Retained Search Firms (Like TLR Search)
Retained recruiters work exclusively with a company to fill a role, typically for leadership, technical, or hard-to-fill positions.
Because they’re paid upfront, they are brought in as strategic partners, not just resume screeners. They spend time deeply understanding the client’s needs, team dynamics, and long-term goals.
We don’t shop resumes to clients. Instead, we shop specific roles to highly aligned candidates, based on deep conversations and strategic outreach.
Rather than working with many open roles at once, retained recruiters focus on a smaller number of searches with clear mandates. That means the match needs to be right for both the company and the candidate.
If you’re in a specialized field or leadership role, retained firms are more likely to approach you thoughtfully, not just because your resume “looks close,” but because your expertise and values align with the client's long-term vision.
💬 Key Context: Retained search isn’t about moving resumes, it’s about making the right match. We don’t just want to know what’s on your resume; we want to understand what drives you, so we can align that with a role where you’ll thrive.
💡Key Takeaway: If you’re reaching out to recruiters, knowing which type you’re engaging is important. Contingency recruiters often move quickly for active job seekers who are a clear match on paper. Retained recruiters are more strategic, focused on long-term fit, deeper alignment, and roles where your expertise truly matters.
Recruiter Job Search Tips You Might Not Hear Elsewhere
Working with a recruiter isn’t about sending your resume everywhere. It’s about clarity, timing, and finding the right fit. These recruiter insights will help you stand out, even in a competitive market.
How to Get a Recruiter to Notice You (and Respond)
A recruiter’s time is limited, so if you want to make an impact, be strategic in how you approach them. Here’s what works and what doesn’t.
Be Selective:
Research recruiters who specialize in your industry. A recruiter focused on financial services or banking won’t be much help if you’re in energy or chemicals.
Send a Smart Recruiter Introduction:
Avoid vague messages like, “Hey, I’m looking for a job...can you help?” or “I’m open to new opportunities. Can we schedule a time for a call?” Instead, introduce yourself by email or on LinkedIn with:
A brief summary of your expertise
The types of roles you’re targeting
A note that you’d like to stay on their radar for future opportunities
Quick Tip: Recruiters don’t have time to schedule calls with every outreach. If your background aligns with a current role, they’ll reach out. A focused, professional message helps you stand out without demanding time they don’t have.
Don’t Expect Career Coaching:
Most recruiters aren’t resume writers or career coaches on the side; if they are, they typically charge a fee for those services. If you need help refining your resume or figuring out your career direction, work with a career strategist before reaching out.
Follow Up (But Don’t Spam):
If a recruiter doesn’t respond immediately, it’s normal. They may not have the right opportunity at the moment. A thoughtful follow-up could be:
“Hey [Recruiter’s Name], just a quick note to say I’m still open to opportunities in [your industry]. Let me know if anything comes up!”
💡Key Takeaway: The goal isn’t to get an instant job offer; it’s to build a relationship so that when the right role opens up, you’re already on their radar.
What If a Recruiter Reaches Out to You Out of the Blue?
Let’s say you get a message or call about a potential job. Here’s how to handle it:
Listen Before You Dismiss:
Take the call even if you’re not actively looking. You never know when the right opportunity might come along, or if a friend of yours is the right fit for the role and will thank you for thinking of them.
Ask the Right Questions:
Why is the role open?
What’s the company culture like?
What’s the long-term career trajectory?
Be Honest About Your Interest:
If the role isn’t right, say so. But instead of just saying “no,” provide clarity:
“This isn’t quite the right fit, but I’d be interested in roles that look like [describe ideal job].”
Respect the Recruiter's Time:
If you’ve gone through multiple interview rounds and decide to withdraw, let the recruiter know. Ghosting after an interview? Not a great look. Ghosting reflects poorly on your professional brand, with both the recruiter and the company involved.
💡Key Takeaway: Even if a job isn’t the perfect fit, leaving a positive impression with a recruiter means they’re more likely to consider you for future roles.
What If You’re Actively Job Searching?
If you need a new role now, here’s how to maximize recruiter relationships:
Engage Proactively:
Send a concise email with your resume and a note about what you’re looking for.
Leverage Your Network:
Let your connections know you’re open to opportunities and that sharing your resume with recruiters is okay.
Stay Professional:
If a recruiter doesn’t have the right role for you, avoid frustration. Recruitment moves quickly, and a new opportunity could appear any day.
If you do work with a recruiter and consider a new role, if that interview doesn't work out, remember your relationship with the recruiter hasn't ended. The role wasn't right.
So, even if the job doesn’t pan out, how you handle rejection can leave a lasting impression.
💡Key Takeaway: Be patient, professional, and proactive. The best recruiter relationships are built before you need a job.
Recruiters Are a Networking Source—Not a Magic Wand
A recruiter is just one part of your job search strategy. Networking, industry engagement, and direct applications are just as important.
Approach recruiters with the right mindset, build relationships before you need them, and stay professional throughout the process. Do that, and you’ll be the first call they make when the perfect role comes along.
Common Questions About Recruiter Relationships and Outreach
What does a recruiter actually do?
Recruiters are hired by companies to find and screen qualified candidates for specific roles. They don’t work for job seekers, but can be helpful when there’s a fit.
What’s the difference between a retained and contingency recruiter?
Contingency recruiters only get paid if a candidate is hired. Retained recruiters are paid upfront to conduct deep, consultative searches, usually for specialized or leadership roles.
Do retained and contingency recruiters work differently with candidates?
Yes. Contingency recruiters often move quickly and work on many roles at once. If your resume is a close match, you may hear from them fast, but they may not have deep insight into the role. Retained recruiters, on the other hand, work on fewer, highly targeted searches. They invest more time in getting to know the candidate and only move forward when there’s a strong strategic fit. They’re not just trying to fill a seat; they’re looking to build a long-term match between candidate and company.
What makes retained recruiters more strategic?
Retained recruiters are brought in early to shape the hiring strategy, not just fill roles. They work closely with the client company to deeply understand the team, culture, and long-term goals. That means when they reach out to you, it’s not just about a job, it’s about a fit.
Why didn’t a recruiter call me back after I sent an unsolicited message?
It likely means they don’t have a role matching your background. It’s not personal; they’re focused on the needs of their clients, meaning the companies that hire them.
How do I stand out to a recruiter?
Send a focused introduction, share the types of roles you’re targeting, and clearly highlight your expertise. Avoid vague asks and focus on building a clear, professional relationship.
Can a recruiter help me even if I’m not actively looking?
Yes! Recruiters often build pipelines in advance. Reaching out when you’re considering your next career move can position you for future opportunities.
Is it okay to reach out to multiple recruiters when I really need a job?
Yes, but how you do it matters. Recruiters can tell when someone is reaching out from a place of panic or pressure; that urgency can sometimes work against you. Instead of sending vague or overly eager messages like “I’ll take anything” or “I just need a job,” focus on positioning yourself clearly and professionally. Desperation isn’t a good personal branding strategy—clarity, confidence, and direction are.
Want to stay on our radar for future opportunities? At TLR Search, we are energy recruiters and chemical recruiters, specializing in retained searches for high-impact roles in energy, oil & gas, alternative energy, chemicals, and adjacent sectors. We don’t work with every candidate, but we do build relationships with professionals whose background and values align with our clients’ needs. If your background aligns, submit your resume through our candidate portal. We review submissions regularly and will reach out if a role is a strong match. Thanks for staying connected!
This post is part of our job search series for energy and chemical professionals—see the full guide for practical strategies that align with where you want to go next.