As a professional seeking new employment, you might find yourself asking, “Why should I use a recruiter for my job search when I can rely fully on internet job boards?” Although technology has certainly facilitated the hiring process, this common assumption fails to consider an abundance of additional resources that are offered only by recruiters. The following is a list of the 10 major advantages that can be gained through the use of a recruitment firm:

1. Experience the refreshment of a human touch through the job search process.
Looking for jobs without a recruiter’s assistance can often feel impersonal. It may seem that employers only care about your qualifications, your resume and your ability to express yourself clearly and competently during interviews, without much regard for your individual needs. Recruiters, on the other hand, introduce a human element into the job search process; they understand, for example, candidates’ dissatisfaction in their current jobs, and genuinely want to help job seekers find roles that will enhance their quality of life and present opportunities for growth.

2. Obtain new insights about your field of interest.
Functioning as gurus in your niche market, recruiters can provide incredibly beneficial information to job seekers. They are knowledgeable about the status of the job market, and are aware of which firms are looking to expand and which are looking to downsize. Additionally, recruiters are very familiar with the responsibilities, requirements and base salaries for a wide variety of positions within your field.

3. Access positions that have not yet been publicized.
Through their direct relationships with hiring managers, recruiters are often made aware of new positions before they appear on public job boards. In the event that a non-publicized opportunity fits your background, a recruiter can let you know about it before the rest of your competition finds out. As a result, you will vie for the position with a significantly smaller applicant pool, thereby increasing your chances for hire.

4. Learn how to improve your interview performance.
Since recruiters want only to see their candidates succeed, they will be happy to coach on how to best perform in an interview. Recruiters can offer guidance as to what types of questions will be asked and what types of responses will be deemed favorable.

5. Let yourself be presented to an employer by a reputable source.
When you apply for a position on your own, the employer most likely will have no idea who you are; you are merely a resume without a face or personality. By allowing yourself to be presented to the company by a recruiter, however, you bolster your chances of getting an interview through your connection to a credible source who can “sell” you to the employer.

6. Diminish the burden of your own job search efforts.
As a professional looking to transition to a new job, you may dread the idea of having to devote countless hours to browsing job postings. The role of the recruiter is to do much of the legwork for you. While you should not rely on recruiters entirely to guide you through your job search, they can certainly lighten the load on your otherwise busy schedule.

7. Expand your network.
A particular recruiter may not always have access to your ideal position immediately or be fully knowledgeable of the technical aspects of your search. They do, however, have a network of other recruiters in their firm who will likely be aware of a future opportunity or will be able to assist you with your particular area of professional specialty.

8. Know in advance exactly what the employer is looking for.
While employers generally include a list of requirements for available positions, it is possible that some of their preferences will not be mentioned in the job posting. Recruiters, however, are given specific instructions for selecting candidates. They can let candidates know which skills to highlight in a resume, cover letter or interview to best appeal to the employers’ needs.

9. Gather valuable feedback after an interview.
Most of the time, employers do not provide helpful feedback to candidates who are passed over. Those who are turned down after an interview are simply told that they have not been selected for the position, without further information. However, employers will often provide recruiters with specific reasons for rejection, which can then be relayed back to the candidates. Constructive criticism is necessary in helping candidates refine their approach in future interviews.

10. Develop a long-term relationship for future opportunities.
Working with a recruiter to find a new job is not necessarily a one-time engagement; by securing a new position with the help of a recruiter, you know that you can depend on him or her to assist you again in the future. A strong relationship with your recruiter can help you to acquire other opportunities as you progress in your career.