What does a recruiter do, and why should you care, even if you’re not actively job searching?

Working with a recruiter (especially a good one!) can open doors you didn’t even know existed. When you understand how to work with a recruiter effectively, you give yourself a genuine career advantage. Whether you're casually curious about new opportunities or deeply invested in making a strategic move, they offer expert support.

So, what does a recruiter do behind the scenes to make job searching and recruitment smoother, less stressful, and far more successful? In this blog, we'll answer the question 'What does a recruiter do?' We'll highlight how they collaborate with both candidates and employers, and what not to do if you want to make the most of the relationship.

What Does a Recruiter Do? A Clear Look at Their Real Role

So, what does a recruiter do on a day-to-day basis?

At the simplest level, recruiters are hired by companies to match open roles with the right candidates. But the reality is far more nuanced and human than simply sending resumes back and forth.

There are two main types of recruiters:

Agency Recruiters

These recruiters work externally, supporting multiple clients at once, much like ourselves here at Swarm Recruitment. They may specialise in certain industries or job types and often have wide networks across several businesses. Because they work with so many organisations, they often learn about vacancies even before they hit the general job market.

In-House Recruiters

These professionals work directly within a company and only hire for their own organisation’s needs. They know the company culture intimately and often play a key part in shaping the hiring strategy.

But what does a recruiter do regardless of whether they’re agency-based or in-house?

Their job is not just to fill a vacancy. Far from it. It’s to find the right fit for both the role and the candidate. A strong recruiter will ask thoughtful questions, listen to your motivations, and advocate for you with hiring teams. The better they understand you, the more effectively they can position you as a standout candidate.

Great recruiters act as connectors, advisors, coaches, and career partners. And when you build a real relationship with one, they can influence not just your next job, but the trajectory of your entire career.

How to Work With a Recruiter Effectively

Understanding 'what does a recruiter do' is step one. Step two is knowing how to work with them in a way that benefits both sides. The recruiter–candidate relationship is strongest when it’s collaborative, honest, and proactive.

1. Be Honest About Your Goals

Transparency is your superpower in this relationship.

Share what you want in an ideal world, and what you’re willing to compromise on. What locations, industries, or work arrangements excite you? What roles don’t interest you at all? Are you open to contract work? Are there companies you prefer to avoid?

The more honest you are, the more efficiently the recruiter can tailor opportunities to you. You avoid wasting time on roles that aren’t right, and your recruiter can confidently represent you to hiring teams knowing they’re pitching you for something you’re truly aligned with.

Being candid helps the recruiter help you. And it all ties back to understanding 'what does a recruiter do?': their role is to match you to a position, not persuade you or a business that you are right for it.

2. Remember It’s a Partnership, Not a One-Way Street

What does a recruiter do? A black female and white male both in business suits shaking hands — It’s a partnership

Many candidates forget that the hiring process isn’t only about whether the company wants you. It’s equally about whether you want the company. This is where a recruiter becomes incredibly valuable.

Because recruiters often get deeper insight into company culture, team structure, and interview expectations, they can give you information you’ll never find on a job description. Ask questions. Use their knowledge. Let them guide you through what to highlight, what to avoid, and what to expect.

What does a recruiter do to support their clients and candidates? They develop a good partnership, with great communication, because collaboration is central to every search.

3. Communicate Promptly and Professionally

Speed matters in hiring.

Responding quickly shows that you’re serious, reliable, and easy to work with. These are qualities that hiring managers value tremendously. Even a quick acknowledgement (“Got this, I’ll review shortly!”) helps.

Just as important: respond even when you’re not interested. Letting a recruiter know that a role isn’t the right fit allows them to redirect their efforts and continue looking for something that matches your goals much better.

Professionalism and basic courtesy go a long way. No 'ghosting'!

4. Stay in Touch

If you’re actively searching, check in every few weeks. Share updates, new applications, changed priorities, and anything that might help refine the search.

If you’re not actively looking? Stay connected anyway. Recruiters often work on roles that come and go quickly, and being top of mind means you’re more likely to hear about opportunities before the rest of the market does.

Regular communication isn’t just part of the relationship. What does a recruiter do well? They match candidates and opportunities at the right moment.

From the Candidate’s Viewpoint: Why Recruiters Matter

Let's examine this in more detail. What does a recruiter do from the candidate's perspective? How does their work directly affect you?

You gain access to hidden opportunities. Many roles never get advertised because companies rely on trusted recruiters.
You receive honest feedback. Recruiters provide insight that companies rarely share directly with candidates.
You get a career advocate. A recruiter can champion your strengths, negotiate your salary, and position you more compellingly than a resume alone ever could.
You save time. Instead of applying to dozens of roles, you get matched with opportunities that fit your goals and skill set.

At its best, the recruiter–candidate relationship is long-term, mutually beneficial, and game-changing.

From the Employer’s Viewpoint: Why Recruiters Are Essential

From the other perspective, what does a recruiter do for employers?

Recruiters help companies by:

Finding stronger candidates faster
Reducing time-to-hire and cost-to-hire
Ensuring cultural alignment
Providing market insights such as salary trends and candidate expectations
Improving the hiring experience for everyone involved

Because recruiters act as an extension of the employer’s brand, they’re deeply invested in making strong, lasting matches. This is why they prioritise candidates who communicate well, respond promptly, and present themselves professionally.

Understanding the employer perspective reinforces why your behaviour with a recruiter really matters.

What Not to Do When Working With a Recruiter

If you want to maintain a strong professional relationship, avoid these common pitfalls:

1. Don’t Ghost After an Interview

Even if you decide the role isn’t right for you, communicate it. Silence damages trust quickly. Recruiters are often required to give hiring teams updates, and if they can’t reach you, it reflects poorly on everyone.

2. Never Lie

This includes lying about your experience, qualifications, salary expectations, or availability. Not only will it surface eventually, but it will also destroy your relationship with the recruiter and potentially with the company as well.

What does a recruiter do for you? They advocate for you. Therefore, honesty isn’t just the best policy; it’s essential to the integrity of the entire process. Lose their trust, and you lose your opportunities.

3. Don’t Treat Them Like a Job-Placement Service

Recruiters are not obligated to find you a job. What they can do is serve as a strategic career partner, if you engage with them openly and respectfully.

The Bottom Line: A Great Recruiter Can Transform Your Career

A great recruiter is both advocate and advisor. When you build a strong, respectful partnership, they can help you find not only a new role but also long-term opportunities that shape your career path.

Even if a role doesn’t work out today, keep the relationship open. The perfect opportunity, or the perfect candidate, might be just around the corner.

Have we provided a greater understanding of the question, 'What does a recruiter do?' They give you the tools to collaborate better, communicate clearly, and get the absolute most out of the relationship. Whether you’re a candidate seeking guidance or an employer looking for exceptional talent, recruiting works best when it’s built on trust, transparency, and genuine partnership.

We'd love to be your recruitment partner. Contact us today and discover how we can work closely together to fulfil all your job vacancies or support you in your career.

What does a recruiter do? They Offer Expert Support