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How a talent specialist can widen your career opportunities

Posted on November 2019

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Achieving success in a competitive professional field requires leveraging the expert knowledge of a talent specialist who understands both you and your sector. Obtaining a position that puts your abilities to use and offers room for growth can be challenging, however. That’s why having an advocate familiar with the market, organization, and industry is essential for a successful career.  

Differentiating yourself from other top professionals can be made easier with the assistance of a talent specialist. Their extensive knowledge of your market, personality, and skillset will enable them to determine the best job for you that matches your skills, culture, renumeration, and development goals.

As most senior level roles are exclusively advertised within an organization’s internal network and their talent partner’s network, job boards can provide little more than useful resources to help you begin identifying opportunities and get a general feel for the market. Therefore, it is often the case that professionals with a highly sought-after skillset are approached for a well-matched position when they aren’t necessarily looking for one. 

So, by seeking the advice of a talent specialist when considering a career move, you will benefit from an expert match-making service within an internal network of hiring organizations, and receive timely, direct feedback. The talent specialist acts as a representative for both you and the hiring company, operating with an understanding that time is precious. 

They will help to improve the communication process, place you in a strong position to get the most from the opportunities presented, and ensure that the culture of the company you are interested in is aligned with your personality and requirements. After all, a top talent partner’s main goal isn’t to get you into a seat in the office, but to present you with an opportunity in which you can thrive long-term. 

The power of strong relationships

A talent specialist will have a strong relationship with the hiring organization and may have even placed other professionals in previous roles, meaning they’ve built up a level of trust and understanding with the people who make up the business. This gives them leverage when advocating for you and provides you with information about the company that you need when making an important career decision. A strong talent partner will have made it their business to know the company inside out and will be able to tell you exactly what they are looking for, rather than giving you generic information that ends up wasting your time.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions – a talent specialist is a great source of in-depth market knowledge, giving you access to current industry trends or changes, which can give you the edge should you need to tailor your resume and interview strategy to stand out from the competition.

For future reference

Nurturing a relationship with a talent specialist can help you secure a position with promising prospects. Even if you don’t find the perfect role on the first try, that relationship will mean you are kept in their mind and in their database for when the perfect opportunity does arise. From resume advice to salary guidance, a talent specialist can update you on the market and show you how to leverage that to find the right role. They can also actively network for non-advertised opportunities that best fit your career goals, while helping you enhance your resume or professional branding, so you are equipped to make a stellar first impression to a prospective employer. 

Networking with a specialist talent partner can also develop a long-term relationship for future opportunities. In years to come, when you are ready for the next step, that consultant will still understand you, your requirements, and the best next steps available to you. And for you, it’s always a plus to have a rapport with someone who’s helping to steer your future.

Experts in the art of selection

Talent partners are selective by nature. Honing the skill over time, they hand-pick the most suitable roles for professionals seeking a new opportunity. Not only does this tailored approach maximize success for all parties involved, but it also helps professionals to recognize the potential in an opportunity they may not have considered on their own, while reducing the competition and creating a higher chance of success. 

Be open to networking with talent specialists when you may not be actively looking; the best opportunities can often pop up when you’re least expecting it.

The inside scoop

At senior level, opportunities are not always advertised through traditional mediums. Specialist talent consultants are privy to a range of positions that only they and the organizations’ internal networks are aware of. This could be especially useful in situations where the vacancies that suit your skill set are few and far between.

Leading businesses often utilize a talent partner because it’s a more efficient way for them to hire the right person. Therefore, rather than hunting for opportunities that may not be visible online, you could save considerable time working with a talent specialist.

Working in your interests

Approaching a job search can be daunting, but a great talent partner offers a wealth of knowledge on the state of the current job market and your specific industry. Once they get to know you and what you’re looking for, their only objective is to place you in the role that is right for you. Once they have a clear idea of what you have to offer both professionally and personally, a talent partner can help you present a strong resume to any hiring company that meet your needs. It is therefore imperative to be open and honest with your talent specialist, taking the time to clearly define your needs and expectations.

Liaising with a talent partner can help increase the efficiency of your search. When you succeed, they succeed, and so it’s important to remember that they are truly there to work in your best interests, with your long-term career trajectory in mind. 

In the same way that networking is often less effective if you just ramp up your activity when you want a job, reaching out to a talent specialist and building a relationship with them over time could help you secure better opportunities in the future.

We partner closely with senior-level professionals with elite skillsets to enable their careers now and in the future. If you would like our help to find your next opportunity, get in touchtoday.

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