What You Need to Know When Working With a Recruiter in Today’s Job Market: How to Utilise Them Effectively

The job market in 2025 is more competitive than ever. Employers are battling to secure top talent, and candidates are navigating a landscape filled with opportunities, but also fierce competition. In this environment, specialist recruiters have become an essential bridge, helping businesses find the right people quickly, while guiding candidates to roles that align with their career goals.

At Platform Recruitment, we work daily with both clients and candidates across engineering, software, and technical markets. Whether you’re an employer looking to scale your team or a professional searching for your next opportunity, knowing how to work effectively with a recruiter can make all the difference.

If you’re hiring or job-hunting, explore our live roles here or upload your CV today to get matched with opportunities.

Why Work With a Recruiter in Today’s Market?

Recruiters are no longer just CV-screeners or middlemen. In today’s market, they act as:

• Market experts: Recruiters have real-time insights into salaries, skills in demand, and hiring trends.

• Time-savers: They filter through applicants, pre-qualify candidates, and streamline processes.

• Advocates: For candidates, recruiters can pitch you directly to employers and showcase your value. For employers, they represent your brand to candidates, ensuring a positive impression.

• Compliance guides: In industries impacted by regulations (like IR35 in the UK), recruiters ensure businesses and contractors are compliant.
   

Put simply: working with a recruiter means access to knowledge, networks, and opportunities you won’t always get alone.

For Employers: How Recruiters Help You Hire Smarter

1. Access to Hidden Talent Pools

Some of the best engineers, developers, and project managers aren’t actively applying for jobs; they’re “passive candidates.” Recruiters already have relationships with these professionals and can connect them to your role before your competitors get a chance.

2. Speed & Efficiency

Top candidates in technical markets can be off the market in as little as 10 days. Recruiters help you cut down on lengthy hiring processes by quickly presenting a shortlist of qualified candidates, so you don’t lose talent to faster-moving competitors.

3. Market Benchmarking

Unsure if your salary offering is competitive? Recruiters provide up-to-date salary benchmarking, ensuring you don’t under-offer (and lose candidates) or overpay unnecessarily.

4. Specialist Knowledge

Unlike generalist recruiters, specialist firms like Platform Recruitment focus on specific markets (software, engineering, life sciences). This means we know which skills are rare, what motivates top candidates, and how to engage them.

5. Reduced Risk of Bad Hires

The cost of a bad hire can be 30% of the employee’s annual salary (according to the US Department of Labor). Recruiters pre-vet and assess candidates, dramatically reducing this risk and saving your business both money and disruption.

For Candidates: How Recruiters Boost Your Job Search

1. Insider Access to Roles

Not all jobs are advertised online. Many businesses rely on recruiters to fill positions quietly or quickly. Working with a recruiter gives you access to exclusive opportunities.

2. CV & Interview Support

Recruiters don’t just send your CV - they help refine it, highlight your achievements, and prepare you for interviews. This means you present yourself in the strongest possible way.

3. Salary & Offer Negotiation

Talking money can be tricky. Recruiters act as intermediaries, negotiating on your behalf to ensure you get a fair package while keeping discussions professional.

4. Market Guidance

Thinking about switching industries? Unsure whether to look at contract vs permanent roles? Recruiters advise on the best fit for your goals, skills, and lifestyle.

5. Long-Term Career Partner

The best recruiters build long-term relationships. Even after placing you, they keep in touch, letting you know when new opportunities arise that align with your career trajectory.

How to Utilise Recruiters Effectively (Employers & Candidates)

Working with a recruiter is most effective when it’s a two-way partnership. Here’s how to get the most out of the relationship:

For Employers:

• Be transparent: Share as much as possible about your culture, must-have skills, and long-term needs. This ensures recruiters target the right candidates.

• Move quickly: If a recruiter sends you a strong CV, don’t delay. In-demand candidates won’t wait.

• Give feedback: Even if it’s a no, constructive feedback helps recruiters refine the search and strengthen your employer brand with candidates.

For Candidates:

• Be honest: Share your goals, salary expectations, and deal-breakers upfront. Recruiters can only help if they have the full picture.

• Stay responsive: Roles move fast - reply promptly to calls and emails to avoid missing opportunities.

• Be open to advice: Recruiters know what employers are looking for. Take their feedback on your CV or interview technique seriously.

Why Specialist Recruiters Are the Best Choice

In technical markets like engineering, software, and life sciences, generalist recruitment agencies often miss the nuances. Specialist recruiters offer:

• Deep industry knowledge: They know which skills are scarce and what motivates professionals in your sector.

• Stronger candidate networks: Years of focused recruiting mean stronger databases and relationships.

• Tailored advice: From IR35 compliance to niche salary trends, specialist recruiters provide insights that generalists can’t.

At Platform Recruitment, our teams are divided into technical verticals, ensuring that whether you’re hiring a mechanical engineer or a cloud architect, you work with someone who understands your space.

Practical Tips for Today’s Market For Employers:

• Shorten interview stages (2 max). Long processes lose candidates.

• Be flexible on remote or hybrid options to attract top talent.

• Invest in employer branding, candidates research you before interviews.

Practical Tips for Today’s Market For Candidates:

• Keep your LinkedIn updated with skills, projects, and certifications.

• Be proactive: let recruiters know when you’re open to roles.

• Upskill in high-demand areas (automation, cloud, AI) to stay competitive.

In today’s job market, working with a recruiter is essential. Employers gain access to hidden talent, save time, and reduce hiring risks. Candidates get insider access to jobs, expert support, and long-term career guidance.

The key is choosing a specialist recruiter who understands your industry. That’s where we come in.

Whether you’re a business looking for your next hire or a candidate ready to explore new opportunities, visit our job board here or upload your CV today. Let Platform Recruitment help you stay ahead in 2025.