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Making the Move to Management Part II: 3 Reasons to Work with a Recruiter and Why It Matters

by MindSpring Makayla on October 19, 2021 in MindSpring Makayla

 

Makayla Making the Move to Management Part II: Working with a Recruiter

Hi there!

 

Makayla here. I know it’s been months since I last about my plans to work with MindSpring and make the move to a management role. A lot has happened since then (where did this summer go?!), and now that fall is in full swing, I figured it was time for an update. Let’s go back a few months so I can fill you in…

 

After talking to Lauren at MindSpring about my career goals and my interest in moving into management, Lauren helped me prepare for my job search by working with me to summarize my leadership experience, update my resume, and take on new projects at my job. Thanks to her encouragement, I reached out to my boss and was put on a big project that allowed me to work closely with a senior manager. I also took a more active role in my firm’s Black Women’s Council and helped coordinate a summer speaker series that allowed me to put my leadership skills to the test.

 

While both the project and speaker series were a success, I ultimately made the difficult decision to leave the firm at the end of the summer. Like so many other workers, I became part of what’s being called the “Great Resignation”. While lots of factors have led people to leave their jobs, one of my big reasons for resigning was the change in work model my firm had planned. I prefer to have some flexibility and want the opportunity to work remotely a few days per week. Unfortunately, my firm expected everyone to be back in the office full-time this fall. That’s why I decided now was as good a time as any to take the leap and begin my job search in earnest.

 

So, here we are! I’m working closely with Lauren and MindSpring to narrow down my options and figure out which opportunities are the best fit for me. Building a relationship with Lauren over these past few months has been so important and was a key factor in why I felt comfortable leaving my job without landing a new position first.

 

Maybe you’re thinking about making a big career change as well? These are a few of the major benefits to working with a recruiter, and how you can establish a great relationship in the process.

 

3 Benefits to Working with a Recruiter

 

1. Job Search More Effectively

 

How many hours do you spend aimlessly scrolling through LinkedIn and job boards looking for that perfect career opportunity? I’ll be honest, prior to partnering with MindSpring, I was wasting hours job searching this way. It wasn’t until I connected with MindSpring that I realized there was a more efficient way to find great opportunities.

 

This is where recruiters like Lauren come in. They help bridge the gap between companies and candidates by connecting organizations looking for talent with job seekers looking for new opportunities. Working with a recruiter who is an expert in your industry or field is especially helpful since they can give you crucial insights into the company and the role, help you navigate the application process, and ensure you get a fair offer.

 

Over the past few months, Lauren and I checked in regularly by email and phone. She’d send job positions that looked like a good fit for my experience and goals, and I’d let her know if I wanted to learn more about the role. Often, Lauren would come to me with jobs that I wouldn’t have found on my own because they had never been posted or widely shared. Thanks to MindSpring’s impressive network and local connections, however, Lauren found me the latest job openings, so I had a head start on other candidates.

 

In addition, thanks to our regular conversations, Lauren learned more about my career goals, what was most important to me in a new job, and the unique skills and experience that set me apart from other job seekers. Ultimately, Lauren was able to connect me with jobs that offered the management opportunities I was looking for, helping me save time and explore new career options.

 

2. Focus on Your Long-term Goals

 

When I was considering the job opportunities that Lauren found, I had a hard time figuring out which positions I wanted most. One job had some really awesome benefits and perks, but another was offering a big sign-on bonus. Unfortunately, neither of those companies had diversity and inclusion initiatives, something that is super important to me.

 

Thankfully, Lauren was there again to help me walk through my options and re-focus on my priorities for the near- and long-term. While shiny things like extra money and perks are a nice added benefit to any job, they won’t make up for a company culture that doesn’t share your values or a job that doesn’t fit your career goals. Once I weighed out all my options and compared them to my goal of moving into management, it was clear that a few of the positions weren’t going to allow me the growth opportunities I was seeking. With those jobs eliminated, I narrowed down the list and moved forward with the application process confident that the jobs I was pursuing aligned with my goals and priorities.

 

3. Accept the Right Offer

 

Navigating the application and interview process could have been challenging on my own, but lucky for me I had Lauren and the MindSpring team in my corner. Lauren even helped me prepare for the interviews and, after a few rounds of phone and video calls, I heard back from one of the jobs I was really interested in. I was thrilled to get the offer, but still wanted to see if the other job I interviewed for came through, so I delayed for a bit.

 

When Lauren called to review the offer with me, she asked about my hesitation to accept the job and offered a great analogy I think may help others struggling to make such an important decision. At MindSpring, Lauren explained, the job search process is sometimes compared to dating and getting married. At first, you’re just deciding if you like the person and want to go on another date with them. In job search terms, this is the search and application stage. Does the job opportunity interest you enough to pursue it?

 

The final stage of the process is the job offer and negotiation. This could be compared to a marriage proposal. As Lauren explained, by this phase, you know whether you want to marry the person. The same is true of a job offer. Is it the right fit? Does the job meet your requirements and align with your long-term career goals? If so, then accepting the job offer and negotiating the final details should be easy.

 

It turns out Lauren was totally right. I accepted the offer I received, an Accounting Manager role with a slightly smaller firm that offers me lots of room to grow my career. I knew the firm was a great fit for me after my second interview when we spent almost half of the time talking about their diversity initiatives.

 

I can’t wait to start my new position next week! And don’t worry, I’ll still be keeping you posted on how things are going as I make the move to management, so check back soon.

 

Are you looking to make a big career move? Ready to start your search? Get in touch with MindSpring today!

 

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Why I’m Making the Move to Management and How MindSpring Is Helping Me Get There

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Are you currently searching for a great opportunity? MindSpring is accepting applications for a number of open positions! Their team will become your career consultants providing you with individualized support at every turn. Submit your resume today!