We all know that recruiting is a relationship driven business; but it's also a knowledge driven business that requires each recruiter to know the intimate details of the industry they're working in.  Do you, as a recruiter, know the inside scoop on your talent market?  Good recruiters should be able to discuss with clients the following:

1.    How many candidates (generally speaking) are available for that particular position?  Are competitors laying off people creating a surplus of high quality job candidates?  Or, is their a lack of job candidates with the skills needed to fill that position?

2.    What are job candidates looking for in a job?  This information will help clients highlight aspects of their job that will be appealing to the most desirable candidates.  Also, the recruiter must make the client aware of things that may turn a job candidate away from a particular job.

3.    What type of job candidate would be best for their company?  Often clients are not aware of the type of personality that gels well with their company culture. A recruiter who is educated about the client's culture and business needs will be able to recommend job candidates with the right skills and personality to create a perfect match.

This talent market knowledge is only obtained by ongoing reading about the industry and the effective use of lots of surveys and other data collection tools