Recruiters can be valuable allies during your job search, but if you don’t understand how they work, the process can be confusing or even frustrating. Many job seekers assume that once they connect with a recruiter, a new opportunity will appear within weeks. In reality, recruiters serve a very specific purpose, and their timelines and priorities don’t always match your own.
Here’s a breakdown of what recruiters do, who they work for, and how you can build better relationships with them over the course of your career.
Who does a recruiter work for
This is one of the biggest misunderstandings in the job search process. Recruiters don’t work for candidates. They work with them. But ultimately, they are hired and paid by the company looking to fill a role.
That means their job is to find the best candidate for the client, not to find a job for every candidate they speak with. It doesn’t mean they’re not on your side, but it does mean that their priorities are tied to filling very specific roles for specific employers.
There are a few types of recruiters to be aware of:
- Internal recruiters are employees of a specific company and only recruit for roles within that organization.
- Agency or third-party recruiters work with multiple companies and are often hired to find candidates for harder-to-fill or high-priority roles.
- Executive recruiters (or headhunters) specialize in leadership-level placements and tend to have longer, more discreet search processes.
Knowing which kind of recruiter you’re working with can help you tailor how you communicate and what you expect.
Why the recruiter timeline can feel so slow
Even when a recruiter is excited about your background, there may be long periods of silence. That’s not a reflection on you. It’s a reflection of how many moving parts are involved in hiring.
Here are a few reasons the process can take longer than expected:
- Recruiters are juggling multiple searches at once and must prioritize the roles that are most urgent or closest to offer stage.
- Hiring managers often delay decisions while managing internal approvals, shifting priorities, or re-scoping a role.
- Company needs change and sometimes positions are put on hold, adjusted, or canceled altogether without warning.
- Legal, budget, or compliance issues can stall even the most promising candidate conversations.
This doesn’t mean you’ve been ghosted. It means recruiters are waiting for real updates before they reach out again. In many cases, they don’t have anything new to share until a role becomes active or a decision is made.
How to keep recruiter relationships warm
Even if a recruiter doesn’t place you in a role right away, building a long-term connection can benefit you throughout your career. Recruiters often revisit their networks months or years later when the right role appears.
Here’s how to stay top of mind:
- Follow up with purpose
Instead of just checking in, share an update. New responsibilities, an updated resume, or a shift in what you’re looking for can help the recruiter better match you with future opportunities. - Be transparent about your goals
Let them know what kind of roles, locations, or cultures appeal to you. The clearer you are, the more helpful they can be when a relevant position opens. - Share referrals when you can
Recruiters remember helpful people. If you know someone who could be a fit for another role they’re working on, send an introduction. It strengthens the relationship and builds goodwill. - Stay engaged even when you’re not actively looking
It’s easier to build trust and connection when there’s no pressure. That way, when you are ready for a move, they already know you and what you want.
Recruiters are one part of your career strategy
Think of recruiters as one channel in a larger career strategy. They can open doors, offer market insight, and advocate for you when the fit is right, but they’re not a one-stop shop.
Continue building your network, applying strategically, and staying active in your field. When you combine your own efforts with a strong recruiter relationship, you create more opportunities and better alignment when the right role appears.
