Helping clients understand the importance of a recruiter’s work can be challenging.  But if recruiters want to build healthy, long-lasting client relationships it is important to work towards mutual respect.  But unfortunately, some employers may lack the respect the top recruiters have come to expect. So how does a recruiter get the respect they deserve?

1.     Command respect by treating yourself and your profession with the same level of respect you give clients. Too often recruiters allow uninformed employers to diminish their trade by lowering their fees and violating the recruiter/employer relationship by using multiple recruiters for the same job orders -- amongst other things. When working with clients make sure you lay down the rules of engagement and stand your ground.

2.     Figure out a way to track your value.  Recruiters need to track how they have delivered a return on investment for past clients and share that information with current and possible future clients.  When employers can measure in dollars and cents the amount of value a recruiter brings to the table, they are more likely to give recruiters the respect they deserve.

3.     Present a professional image in your branding.  While the old adage “you can’t judge a book by its cover” may be true, it is not an adage most employers live by.  A recruiter’s brand is his/her calling card and they will be judged by that brand, for better or worse.