Despite the current economy, the job market is poised for resilience in 2025. The great news for Canadian job seekers: According to research for Robert Half’s State of Canadian Hiring Survey, nearly half – 46 per cent – of Canadian hiring managers plan to add new permanent positions over the next six months, while another 49 per cent anticipate hiring for vacated positions.Meanwhile, 50 per cent of Canadian professionals are already looking or plan to look for a job for multiple reasons. While 60 per cent of Canadian job seekers are looking for a higher salary, half – 50 per cent – want better benefits and perks, 32 per cent want a job with more flexibility than their present company offers, and 31 per cent want a higher-level position or more senior title.As job seekers begin the year by dusting off their resume, reaching out to their network, and surveying the opportunities available to them, they should also think about how to work with a recruiter to find a job.Read the full Robert Half Canada State of Hiring press release.
Recruitment agencies are professional service providers which act as intermediaries between employers and job seekers. They specialize in matching qualified candidates with suitable job openings, streamlining the hiring process for both parties.Despite a competitive market with more job seekers than postings, according to the 2025 Canada Salary Guide From Robert Half, 90 per cent of Canadian hiring managers report challenges finding skilled professionals. This highlights the difficulties candidates face presenting their experience and qualifications to the right people at their target companies – and is where recruitment agencies come in, offering a valuable solution for job seekers.Recruitment agencies don’t just provide candidates with another list of jobs to apply for; they provide access to the hidden job market, often drawing from exclusive job listings not advertised publicly.Meanwhile, their recruiters act as more approachable counterparts to hiring managers, frequently providing job seekers with valuable resume and interview feedback in addition to industry insights and career development advice. By learning how to work with a recruiter to find a job, candidates will be better equipped for interviews with hiring managers. With their industry knowledge, recruiters are also better equipped to match candidates with suitable roles.Among the most important benefits of using a recruitment agency to find a job, however, is that they’re free to work with and easy to register for. Recruitment agencies are paid by employers across Canada to fill positions and benefit from a deep pool of talent, so there is very little downside to sharing your resume and personal details such as work history, skills, and target positions with an agency.
Knowing how to work with a recruiter to find a job can give you a head start on finding available jobs across Canada, connect you with valuable industry contacts, and alert you to promising opportunities. Robert Half Canada’s team of talented recruiters not only use their relationships with client companies to find unadvertised career opportunities, they often act as candidate champions, proactively pitching them to hiring managers they know could use someone with their industry-specific background, experience, and skill sets.
“You are going to receive as much as you give. When collaborating with recruiter, job seekers need to put their best foot forward, if they are truly eager to collaborate. It is a competitive market with many job seekers and technology aiding the hiring process. Responsiveness, professionalism, and a well-prepared resume are the bare minimum in collaborating with a recruitment firm. It remains an ongoing relationship of give and take, and just as the recruiter is obligated to actively listen and properly respond to ambitious candidates, candidates must maintain an open line of communication to facilitate putting their best foot forward.”
— Justin Orleans, Assistant Vice President with Robert Half Canada.Justin Orleans started as Recruiting Manager for the Robert Half Montreal office in 2021 and quickly grew into his current role as Assistant Vice President for Administrative and Customer Support (ACS) recruitment. In addition to ACS, Justin has supported candidates across each of Robert Half’s practice groups in the Montreal area.
Here are some suggestions on how to work with a recruiter to find a job:Ask the right questions: Every relationship begins with a courtship phase as the two parties get to know each other. Here are some questions to ask to assess whether a recruiter will represent you well:“Do you specialize in the industry I work in?”“How often do you staff roles with the skill sets in my background?”“In what types of companies and industries have you placed professionals with my types of skills and experience?”“Do you proactively market your candidates? How does the process work?”“How can I make myself more marketable to employers?”Be straightforward about your expectations: Explain to the recruiter what you’re looking for in a job — and what you’re not. For example, are you seeking contract assignments or a full-time role? Would you prefer working remotely all or part of the time? According to the 2025 Canada Salary Guide From Robert Half 44 per cent of Canadian professionals prefer 2 – 3 days per week at the office. Being up front about your objectives is the only way a staffing professional can do the best possible job for you.Be open about your strengths and weaknesses: Be clear about your salary history, the responsibilities you held at previous positions and why you left past roles. First impressions set the tone for your relationship with a recruiter, and being forthcoming demonstrates trustworthiness.Don’t expect recruiters to do everything: Recruiters can provide guidance — but not act on those recommendations for you. You can ask them for tips for updating your resume, for instance, but it’s not their job to write a new one. Recruiters can provide an objective view of your strengths as a candidate and chances of landing a job in the Canadian market — but that means you need to listen without going on the defensive, and be willing to act based on their advice.Don’t be shy about money: There’s no reason to withhold information about your compensation expectations or what you’ve been paid by past employers. The recruiter’s job is to suggest a rate or salary that’s agreeable to both parties. If you’re unsure about your salary expectations, check out the 2025 Canada Salary Guide From Robert Half. It can help you determine what to expect based on your skills, experience, and location across Canada. Armed with that information, you’ll feel more confident when discussing money with potential employers.Stay in touch: It’s fine to look for work on your own, but don’t leave your recruiter out of the loop. Promptly inform them if you have a job lead in the pipeline. The same holds true for personal obligations that might impact your availability. Knowing how to work with a recruiter on your job hunt will help improve your odds of landing the kind of job you want.Spread the good news: When you find a recruitment agency you love working with, consider recommending the business to friends and colleagues. Great referrals can help raise your profile — and may inspire recruiters to think of you as new job opportunities arise.
Just as recruitment agencies evaluate candidates, candidates should also evaluate agencies. When learning how to work with a recruiter to find a job, consider these factors alongside the benefits of using a recruitment agency in general:Look up their longevity and clients supported. When it comes to choosing who to work with, research the agency’s history, clientele, and alliance partners to get an idea of its standing in the industry. When meeting recruiters, make sure to learn about their experience and don’t be afraid to ask for references.Research their accolades. A recruitment agency in Canada that has a solid reputation and is known for its accolades often has an advantage against other recruiters. A strong brand and reputation open doors for that company’s recruiters and the job seekers they represent. Robert Half Canada’s accolades include winning a Canadian HR Reporter Readers’ Choice Award in the “Best Recruitment Agencies” category for the eighth consecutive year.Browse their available jobs. Browse the job listings on the recruitment agency’s website and look at the job titles and number of available openings in your field. Also, if you want or need flexible work options, determine whether the firm places candidates in remote and hybrid roles.Evaluate their policies and professionalism. Take note of the company’s policies and overall level of professionalism when you interact with them. Will you be working with one person or a team? How often will you receive updates? How quickly are new positions typically found? Also, be wary of any recruitment agency that charges job seekers for their services; you shouldn’t have to pay as a candidate seeking a job.Gauge their commitment. Make a point of understanding the level of involvement the recruiter expects from you. You should be confident that you’re working with a recruitment agency that is organized and committed to finding you a job. One of the top benefits of using a recruitment agency to find a job is working with a representative who will handle the heavy lifting and stay in touch to meet your unique needs.
Whether you’re exploring new options or looking to make an immediate career move, knowing how to work with a recruiter to find a job – and enlisting the services of a top agency like Robert Half – can help. Get started by exploring our open positions across Canada now or upload your resume to our database to be contacted by one of our recruiters today.
