What is a Recruiter?

Some agencies have creative recruiters. Some do not. Most of the big ones do. Here are some of the things you need to know about them:

  1. Not all recruiters have a creative background.
  2. Not all recruiters have an impeccable eye for great creative.
  3. Many recruiters do have a creative background and an impeccable eye for great creative.
  4. Almost all recruiters will be the main gatekeeper you must pass in getting an interview at an agency.

Should you send your work to the agency recruiter? Absolutely. Should you rely on the agency’s recruiter to follow up with you? To stay in contact? To call back? To remember your name? Nope. Those are all up to you. Send your pdfs and web links to others in the creative department. Sow as many seeds as you can.

How do you find out if an agency has a recruiter? Call and ask. But don’t stop there. Ask to be transferred to that person. Ask them questions. Their job is to get talent in the door, so they should be happy to talk to you. Build a rapport if you can. It’s not politicking. It’s getting a job.