When choosing a recruiter consider one who specializes in your field. Because most recruiters specialize in specific industries and job functions, you will likely have the most productive relationships with recruiters specializing in your field and/or job function.

You never know when you might need a recruiter again. You can get great support from recruiters, but only when you stay connected.

As a job seeker, be open to suggestions and coaching to help you in your career journey. When interviewing, it is always important to be on time, understand the company culture, realize your most marketable qualities, and know how to highlight them during your interview. A Recruiter or Career Coach can help guide you through the process.

When applying for a job, study the job description and any available information you have on the position. Does your resume mirror the words and phrases in the job description? Are you showcasing your strengths in the areas that seem to be of paramount importance to this role? Always line it up.

Consider your LinkedIn profile as a first impression. When designing or editing, always make sure it is free of spelling and punctuation errors. If you have grammatical mistakes, you could be passed over for future work opportunities.

When interviewing, it is always better to talk about what you gained from an experience rather than speak negatively of a past employer of colleagues.

Once you are in the process of working with the recruiter and interviewing with the employer, don't contact the employer directly. Trust your recruiter to see you through the process.

One of the best ways to ensure a productive relationship with recruiters long into your career is to help them out by recommending top-performing friends and members of your network to them.

Don't lie if you were laid off or your job was terminated. The truth will come out, and if you secure the position, your future at the company will be in jeopardy. Answer with the facts. Be open and confident, providing valid reasons for losing previous positions.

Arrive for your interview 5-10 minutes early. Everyone has their watch set differently, and a 5-minute cushion is a good idea. Some interviewers are time-sensitive and notice if you're even one minute late, dulling initial impressions. Don't arrive too early and put pressure on the interviewer if they are not ready for you yet.

When interviewing, introduce yourself with a smile, a handshake that matches the firmness of the hirer's, and a relaxed and self-assured demeanor.

First impressions matter. If appropriate, ask ahead of time about what to wear. The safe bet is to dress professionally, paying attention to grooming, colors, and accessories.

Bring a notepad and pen to take notes during each interview. This is an effective way to show your interest in the job and your attention to detail. It also gives you an opportunity to look down at times if you struggle with eye contact.

Nonverbal communication cues are part of the impression you make. A weak handshake, for example, shows a lack of authority. An averted gaze signals distrust or disinterest in the job. Show assertiveness by sitting up straight and leaning slightly forward in your chair.

When working with an executive search firm it is recommended that ALL contact information, including your street address, city, state, and zip code are on your CV. Typically the client, as well as the recruiter, will need that for their information.

Hirers use behavioral questions to dig into past achievements and predict future performance. These questions identify an applicant's key competencies and skills, so it's vital to prepare answers to match your skill set to the employer's requirements. Focus on past achievements that highlight your abilities in these key areas: Leadership, Teamwork, Problem solving, Conflict resolution, and Failures.

Rather than using standard verbiage, personalize what you want to say. Hiring managers want to hire a human, not a machine. Words such as "managed," "achieved" and "improved" are examples of positive, assertive words.

Treat this as a face to face, in person interview. Dress professionally, ensure that you are in a quiet place, turn off the ringer on your home phone, lock up your animals so that the dog doesn't bark or your cat doesn't walk across your desk during the interview. Yes, this happened!

It is important to have good office etiquette. There's nothing more frustrating to busy coworkers and clients than to have their emails and phone messages ignored. Your silence doesn't just make their jobs harder; it also conveys an unpleasant message: You're unimportant to me.

Think of LinkedIn as your resume. Fill out your profile completely but do not stop there. Use LinkedIn to reach specific individuals – the people most likely to hire you or help you get hired – and conduct research on your targeted companies.