Most people will have a hard time trying to find jobs. Often you will be searching for job recruiters near me after having a busy shift. This can lead to you sending off applications for 3 weeks and no one will call you. We have seen this happen time and time again. We can guarantee you there is nothing wrong with you if there is no one calling you back. The issue here is how you are searching. A good recruiter will know which employers are hiring in the current week, and which employers just put their role up and never take it down. If you are looking for jobs with flexible hours then a recruiter will be even more helpful as these roles rarely get advertised. They are very quick to fill.
What do Recruiters do all day?
Whilst some will sit and read through resumes, most will be on the phone talking to hiring managers. They will figure out what the company actually needs, not what is stated in the job description. This is a massive difference. Often the job description will state they need 5 years experience but the hiring manager would be happy with someone with 2 years experience who is punctual and quick to learn. Recruiters know this as they will have asked. They will also handle any difficult conversations such as pay range, start date and whether the hours are actually flexible. They will act as your translator. They will relay your story and get genuine answers back. As the staffing agency is paid by the employer (normally) their entire goal is to get you into a role that will stick. If they don’t match you correctly they won’t make money. They are not helping you, and this is a good thing!
Job board, recruiter, staffing agency what is the difference?
There is often confusion between all three. A job board is essentially a notice board. The employer will post their role, you scroll through and apply. It is often a dead end. A staffing agency will employ you (sometimes directly) and place you at client companies. A recruiter (especially independent/in-house) will find candidates for specific roles and push them through. Many firms will do some of everything. It is important to know what type of role you are looking at as it will affect how you get paid. If you are placed by an agency they will be paying you via their payroll, they will deal with taxes and sometimes benefits. If you are placed directly by a recruiter you will be employed directly by the company. Neither is better. Temp roles are great if you need money quickly or just want to trial the company. Direct roles make more sense if you are looking for stability. Ask what type of role you are looking at. Any good recruiter will be transparent.
How do I know I am working with a good recruiter?
A good recruiter will ask you questions to find out what you want, what you are tired of and what hours suit you. A bad recruiter will try to sell you a role before they even know your last name. If they ask for any fees then this is a massive red flag. Legitimate recruitment and staffing agencies will be paid by the employer. Be wary of any vague answers such as we have lots of roles. A genuine recruiter will be able to tell you what type of company, pay range, location and shift they have. Check their reviews, do a quick google and make sure they have a real office or at least a real history. How quickly do they reply? Are they genuine? If they ghost you before placing you imagine how they will act after. Do they send you to roles that are far outside of what you asked for? A pushy recruiter will try to push you into any roles that are available this week. A good recruiter will say I don’t have anything currently but I can look. They will then do this. This small level of honesty tells you a lot.
How should I format my resume?
Your resume doesn’t need to be perfect, just clear. Most people will only need 1 page, although if you have a long history you can have 2. Start with your most recent role and include what you actually did. Use numbers if you can. E.g moved 300 packages per shift, trained 4 new hires, drove 2000 miles per week with no issues. Don’t include any waffle in your objective. Make sure your contact information is correct. You will be surprised how many people lose offers due to a typo. Be honest with any gaps but don’t go into too much detail. If you are looking for flexible hours make sure to include something about your availability. Save it as a PDF unless they ask for otherwise. Keep a basic version so you can copy and paste into emails. Often a recruiter will edit or reformat your resume for the employer. They are looking for a story of what you can do and if you are reliable. Give them this and you will be ahead of most.
Where can I find roles with flexible hours?
There are roles available with flexible hours. Warehouse and logistics often have second/third shifts. Healthcare support will have weekend/overnight shifts. Retail and hospitality often have roles that can be worked around school/children. Delivery and driving can be surprisingly flexible. Local routes with set start times and no overnight shifts. Customer service and data entry have become remote/hybrid in many places. Seasonal and temp roles are an easy option as employers will need cover and will be flexible with hours. Flexible hours can mean different things to different people. To one person it could be 4 days of 10 hours. To another it could be picking up extra shifts around their college. Be clear on what you actually need. Let your recruiter know exactly what you want. The clearer you are the quicker they can say yes/no or give me a week I think I know somebody.
What should I say on my first call?
Don’t panic, it is just a chat! Be prepared to talk about what you have done, what you want and what you can’t do in a minute or two. Don’t read from a script, this will come across as robotic. Have your resume to hand, a pen and somewhere calm with good reception. Be honest with your pay expectations. If you have a number in mind say so. If you are flexible say so. Don’t devalue yourself. Ask questions. What type of companies do they work with? How quickly do people get placed? Who will I be speaking to? If your hours are important mention this early. If you need transport mention this early. A great role across town won’t do you any good if you can’t get there. Don’t go into too much detail about any drama with your previous boss, this rarely helps. Be factual. Be punctual, answer the phone professionally and return calls the same day. Recruiters will remember who made their job easy. Honestly, being reliable will put you ahead of many.
What should I do after my call?
Send a short thank you message. 2-3 lines. Wait a couple of days. If they say they will be in touch on Thursday and it gets to Thursday, a quick friendly message on Friday is totally fine. Don’t call them 6 times in 1 day. Find a balance. Many people think following up makes them look desperate but it shows you are serious and organised. If you get an interview ask your recruiter what the manager is looking for, what the dress code is and who will be in the interview. They will often have insider knowledge that you wouldn’t find online. After your interview let them know how it went. They will want to know how it went and what the employer said. This helps them find a better match for you. If you don’t get the role ask for feedback. Mean it! Keep the relationship friendly. Often skills for clerical will come back to people they liked. I have seen people get a brilliant offer months later as they were friendly and had the same number.
Conclusion
Overall most of the time using a recruiter will get you into a role quicker. They know who is hiring, can advocate for you and take the stress out of applying. Searching for job recruiters near me is a great first step. Especially if you are looking for roles with flexible hours as they often fill very quickly and won’t be on the big boards. Be clear on what you want, be honest, be easy to get hold of and don’t be shy to follow up. Avoid anyone asking for money. Elite HR Careers has been created to make the process easier. A good recruiter won’t do all the work for you but will make your efforts count. Get in touch this week rather than waiting for the perfect time.
FAQ
What do recruiters do when I search for job recruiters near me?
They will match you to roles. They will find out what skills, availability and pay you need and submit you for suitable roles. Most local recruiters will know who is hiring in your area.
Do I have to pay a recruiter or staffing agency?
No. Legitimate recruiters and staffing agencies will be paid by the employer. If they ask for any upfront payments then turn them down. This is a red flag.
How do I find roles with flexible hours?
Check out warehouse roles, healthcare support, retail, delivery, remote customer service and seasonal roles. Be clear with your recruiter on what flexible hours mean to you. This will help them match you quicker.
How long will it take me to be placed by a recruiter?
This can vary. Some people will be placed within a week whilst others may take longer. Usually if you are clear on what you want, reply quickly and have a simple resume then you will be placed quicker.
Can Elite HR Careers help me find work locally?
Yes. Elite HR Careers will help match you with real local roles. Including roles with flexible hours.
