Are you looking for a new job? Your timing is impeccable. Indeed, today's candidate-driven market may offer the best opportunity in a long time to look for something new. Is the do-it-yourself approach, however, the most effective way of finding work?

There are many jobs available, but they are not all good jobs. If you're like most job seekers, you've been let down by many of the open positions you've seen on job boards or by the responses to your applications, or you've been underwhelmed by the offers you've received. And when you do come across an appealing opportunity, it's difficult to muster the energy to write yet another cover letter and tailor yet another resume after a long day of work, housework, or other responsibilities.

This is where a professional job recruiter can come in handy.

"Find me a job!" suggests an expert.

When it comes to finding a job — especially a good job — two heads are always better than one in any market. Whether you're looking for a permanent, temporary, or contract-to-hire position, and whether you prefer remote or onsite work, working with a specialized talent solutions firm can open doors and speed up your search.

It's like having your own personal advocate when you work with a top-tier job recruiter; they can help you find the right position, get ready for the interview, and negotiate the pay. In addition, there will be no fee.

Here are ten actions that a professional job recruiter will take to become your new best friend.

1Introduces you to potential employers

The best recruiters know who is hiring in your area, who is planning to hire, and which positions are open but have not yet been made publicly visible. Professional recruiters have broad networks, solid bonds with their clients, and a solid track record of providing talent. That means they understand what those employers are looking for.

And, with offices around the world, a global talent solutions firm like Robert Half can generate leads outside your area for remote jobs in your field — a huge advantage in this work-from-home world that so many employers are now embracing.

2Makes contact with you

A good job recruiter will also learn about your skills, goals, work style, and preferred workplace culture. It's a level of professional familiarity that goes beyond the attributes and interests listed on a resume.

This personalized approach to working with you is critical to placing you in a job that will make you happy.

3Serves as your guide

Many Robert Half job recruiters have experience working in your sector, so they are aware of your passion for your position. Most importantly, they understand what employers seek in top talent and how much they are willing to pay for it, as well as how to close the deal.

There is no better best friend for a job seeker than someone who can provide expert advice on how to land the best job and a healthy salary (more on that below).

4Supporters of your talent

Job recruiters do more than just distribute your resume. They communicate directly with hiring managers or HR counterparts, so your application isn't treated as just another name without a face.

The recruiter can advocate for you, highlight your skills and how they match the needs of the employer, and attest to your soft skills (difficult to gauge from only a resume and cover letter, but always of great interest to an employer).

5Helps you save time

Finding a job takes time and energy, both of which are in short supply if you already have a 9-5 job. Rather than spending hours each week searching job boards or preparing applications, you can work with a job recruiter who can put you in touch with employers who are looking for someone with your skill set almost immediately.

Oh, and those tailored cover letters you agonize over in search of the right words, tone, and touch? Fuggetaboutit! The job recruiter will be your point of contact with the employer for almost any position you apply for.

6Handles compensation negotiations

Starting salaries for professional occupations are expected to rise further in 2023, particularly for roles in high demand. That could be why you're looking for a new job. If so, make sure to compare your market value to reliable sources such as Robert Half's 2023 Salary Guide.

However, talking about money and negotiating better benefits is a skill — one that professional job recruiters excel at. They will be your ally in negotiating a compensation package that will satisfy both you and the employer because they have access to the most recent salary data and knowledge of the benefits and perks that are typical in your industry.

7Contributes to the development of a marketable application

Whether you're an industry veteran or new to the job market, you'll need a carefully crafted resume that's compelling, honest, and tailored to the role you're pursuing. Putting all of that together can be difficult, if not overwhelming. However, having an expert on your side can save you a lot of stress and pain.

A recruiter will give you honest feedback on your drafts and point you in the right direction for tailoring your resume to the positions you're applying for while also highlighting your accomplishments and skills. If you have a portfolio to show, the recruiter can also assist you with that.

The job recruiter's role is to assist you in finding work. They will make certain that your application portrays you in the best possible light.

8Encourages professional development

A qualified recruiter can help you identify and acquire the skills necessary for the positions you are interested in. For example, Robert Half provides job candidates with free access to over 8,000 online training courses to help them build their skill sets and stay competitive. That is not a benefit you should dismiss.

Even though getting a job may be your immediate objective, developing new skills can help you advance in your career and raise your earning potential.

9Offers interview preparation

If you read any reputable job-search book or blog, you'll find a discussion about the importance of phone vetting and interviews. This entails doing research on the organization you're interviewing for, figuring out what aspects of your career and skills to emphasize, getting ready for challenging questions, and even choosing whether to dress formally or casually (important even for a video interview).

A job recruiter can help you with all of this. Due to the fact that the recruiter submitted your application or spoke with the employer about your candidacy, they are knowledgeable about the company's operations, workplace culture, and hiring procedure. The recruiter can help you practice some awkward questions. You'll be able to speak confidently about how you can help the employer succeed and why you're the best person for the job by the time you interview.

10Assists you in thriving

A good job recruiter will stay in touch with you even after you've found work. At Robert Half, for example, recruiters will follow up with candidates they've assisted in placing in new roles to ensure everything is going well.

That is not all. If asked, they will provide professional development advice and other career advice.

Last word on job hunting

A successful job search requires preparation and commitment, regardless of whether you're just starting out in your career, making your way back into the workforce after being laid off, or ready to move on to something new or more difficult. The first steps in a fruitful job search are professional networking, investigating potential employers, enhancing resumes, and developing cover letters.

You can conduct your job search on your own. Why, though, would you want to? Tell a recruiter, "Find me a job," and leave the rest to them.