Is your recruiter a trusted adviser?

When I was an insurance producer the term "trusted adviser" was used in reference to the status that we tried to achieve with business owners.  They typically hold in high esteem a small group of individuals that include their accountant, their attorney, and perhaps a few other vendor partners.  Once you are in that inner circle it becomes a deeper and mutually beneficial relationship.  You go to a trusted adviser with critical questions knowing that you will get an objective and helpful answer.

So how does a third party search firm fit into that equation?  Unfortunately we are often viewed as a necessary evil or a transaction that occurs when there is no other option.  I am here to tell you that a good recruiting firm can provide so much more than that.

From a candidate's perspective a good recruiter can be a partner for career moves and choices for many years.  Our best candidate relationships are the ones that develop over time.  We may not even place a candidate after initial introduction.  That does not mean we cannot help that individual.  Perhaps they are already deep enough into the interview process that our clients will not be able to match timing.  But we can help with questions regarding compensation, employer comparisons, culture match, benefits, and so much more.  Then if that individual needs to make a career change later in life, they know that they can depend upon us for objective advice.  Or in some cases they even become hiring managers themselves and come back to us because they know the experience was good and we will treat other candidates with the same level of respect and attention.

For clients the same can be said - we can provide insight even if we are not actively engaged in a current project.  Perhaps a hiring manager would like some salary comparison in the market.  Or before embarking upon a search may want to know what our active pipeline looks like.  Or maybe some additional bullet points to round out a job description.  My best clients know they can come to me with those questions any time and receive my best professional advice and perspective.

I have even toyed with the idea of changing my title to "Trusted Adviser" so that I would never be lumped into the same category as lesser quality recruiters.  But over time I have realized this is not a self-appointed title.  I have to earn that right and privilege every time I get on the phone with a new client or candidate.  And it comes with the test of time.  Just saying that you want to be a trusted adviser does not equate to the actions necessary to achieve that status.

Who is a trusted adviser within your professional circle?  Would a recruiter ever make the grade?