Something many job hunters forget is that a recruiter is working for a company, not the person who is searching for employment. Recognizing a recruiter's loyalites and priorities and knowing how to present oneself to them can make the search for a job a lot easier.

According to Brian Weis, president of WisconsinJobs.com and a former recruiter himself, a recruiter is hired by a company who needs an employee.

"The question is, 'Are you a fit for them?' not, 'Are they a fit for me?'," Weis said.

People searching for jobs, however, can contact a recruiter who may know of available job opportunities.

Weis offered a few tips for students trying to find a recruiter. He said there are three possible sources to use: recruitersdirectory.com, searchfirm.com and the Yellow Pages.

"The first thing you want to do is find out what a recruiter's specialty is," Weis said. "You don't want to go to a health care recruiter if you are looking for a sales job."

Weis also said to ask what the geographic scope is — if it is local, regional or national.

After you have found a recruiter, Weis said, it is important to know if the employer is hiring for permanent placement or for contract to hire.

"Permanent placement is when you become an employee of the company immediately," Weis said. "When you are contract to hire, you're typically on a 90-day contract and after that time you are eligible, circumstantially, to become an employee if you've done a good job."

It is important for a recruiter to find someone who is a match for the company they are recruiting for, since they are paid based on the placement they make. Whether you contact a recruiter or they contact you, two of the foremost qualities employers seek are communication skills and honesty, according to a new survey. These are among the qualities recruiters will be on the lookout for.

Jason Eckert, assistant director of the Career Services Center, said these qualities were compiled by the National Association of Colleges and Employers after surveying thousands of recruiters on the top skills they were seeking in 2004, the year for which the most recent data is available.

Ottilia Scanlon, a financial recruiter for Kelly Financial Resources, said honesty is always her first tip.

"Never lie or embellish your resume or yourself," Scanlon said. "Be who you are and be proud of it."

Kelly Financial Services, 3333 N. Mayfair Rd., is a division of Kelly Services, a Fortune 500 company.

For students looking for a job, Scanlon stressed the importance of taking a job search seriously.

"Have others review and assist with resume writing," she said. "A resume is a potential employer's first look at you and you want it to accurately portray your abilities."

Other suggestions she offered were to practice interviewing in front of a mirror or with the help of a friend or family member.

Eckert said the Career Services Center is there for students to access this type of help. He said career counselors will help students with career documents, such as resumes, and look for internships or full-time employment.

Recruiters from local, state and Midwestern businesses will be at the Career Fair Wednesday night, according to Eckert.

This article was published in The Marquette Tribune on September 27, 2005.