I had a call this week that I haven’t stopped thinking about...
It started as a completely cold outreach. I came across her profile while recruiting for a role and thought I’d give her a quick call.
On paper, it should have been a short conversation. The role wasn’t quite right; she’s looking to move into industry, so it could have easily ended there.
Instead, we ended up having a really lovely chat about her career, what she’s looking for next, and how she’s approaching her job search.
Then, she said something that really stuck with me.
She told me she hasn’t actually made any direct applications yet, and that she prefers working with a recruiter.
Her reasoning was simple:
“When you apply directly, you’re just one CV in a pile. With a recruiter, someone can actually speak to the hiring manager and explain why you’re worth meeting.”
And honestly… she’s not wrong.
As recruiters, we know that’s the value we bring. But hearing a candidate say it so clearly made me pause for a second.
Because recruitment should never just be about sending CVs or forwarding job specs.
At its best, it’s about insight and advocacy.
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Knowing who’s actually hiring (not just who’s advertising)
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Understanding which firms are growing and where the opportunities really are
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Being honest about where your experience will land best
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Picking up the phone and explaining why you’re worth meeting, even if you don’t tick every single box
Most candidates only see what’s publicly advertised.
But there’s a whole layer of the market behind that: roles that aren’t live yet, teams that are quietly growing, or opportunities that need a bit of context around your CV to make sense.
That’s where a good recruiter should add real value.
If you’re currently job searching, a few things that are worth keeping in mind:
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Be clear on what you actually want (and what you don’t)
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Be honest about your motivations, not just salary
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Keep a couple of good recruiters close, rather than speaking to loads with no direction
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Ask for insight, not just job specs
Applying directly will always have its place, and plenty of people land great roles that way.
But working with the right recruiter can give you access, context, and advocacy that you simply don’t get from an application alone.
Recruitment isn’t just about filling jobs; it’s about understanding people, guiding them through the market, and opening doors they might not have found on their own.
So, I’m curious…
If you’re currently job searching, are you relying purely on applications, or are you using recruiters as part of your strategy?
