Benefits of a General Interview with a Recruiter

If you aren’t familiar with what a general interview is, it’s essentially an introductory, exploratory conversation with a recruiter, and often times occurs before a specific job opportunity arises. Without a concrete opportunity on the table, you might wonder if this type of interview is worth your time. However, a general interview with a recruiter offers several significant benefits, including:

The ability to highlight to the recruiter who you are, and what you are looking for

A general interview allows you to go beyond your resume and highlight your professionalism, work ethic and personality. It’s your chance to discuss the type of roles you would be interested in, your career aspirations, and what you’re seeking in your next position. This conversation can cover essential topics such as geographic location, salary expectations, remote work preferences, and specific industries or companies you’re drawn to. By doing so, you enable recruiters to match you with future opportunities that align with your skills and goals.

Having the chance to leave a lasting impression

Meeting with a recruiter helps you to establish a connection that can leave a lasting impression. Especially when meeting face to face, a recruiter is more likely to think of you first when a new opportunity comes up as you have established a connection.

Networking opportunity

Engaging with a recruiter broadens your professional network and can provide access to job openings you might not have known about. This connection can be invaluable in discovering roles that aren’t widely advertised.

Gaining confidence and comfortability

Interviews can be quite intimidating and like most things practice leads to improvement. A general interview is a relatively low-pressure environment and provides you the opportunity to practice answering questions and refining your pitch. This experience can help boost your confidence for future interviews.

Gaining insight into the industry and current job market

Recruiters are often well-versed regarding industry trends, salary benchmarks and skills that are currently in demand. A general interview is a great time to gain insight into the market and to understand where you may consider additional training or certifications to enhance your candidacy.

Receiving feedback

This type of interview also provides a chance to receive valuable feedback. Recruiters can offer suggestions on how to improve your resume or polish your interview skills, making you more competitive for future opportunities.

In conclusion, taking a general interview with a recruiter is a great decision that can help you when exploring your next career move.

Written By: Alex Olivastri
Note: This article is written as an opinion piece from the perspective of a Recruitment Specialist