Ask a recruiter: Five things we wish every jobseeker knew

Written by Richard Bourne, operations director at BCS Connect

After 23 years in recruitment, I’ve spoken to thousands of jobseekers—and placed a fair few of them too. Some stood out for all the right reasons. Some… not so much.

Whether you’re a maintenance engineer, a CNC machinist, or a site foreman, there are a few things that really make a difference when you're job hunting—especially when you're working with a recruiter.

At BCS Connect, we specialise in Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction recruitment. We work closely with the employers, so we know what they want. We know the market. And we know how to help good candidates get hired.

So here it is—some honest advice from someone who’s been doing this a long time.

1. We’re on your side—use us

We’re not the enemy. A good recruiter is like your personal career coach, your negotiator, your inside man (or woman). We want to see you succeed.

But it works both ways. The best candidates treat us like partners. They answer their phones. They’re upfront about what they want (and what they don’t). And they show up. Sounds basic—but you’d be surprised.

What works? A quick call back, an honest update, and a bit of respect. What doesn’t? Disappearing before an interview or sending a CV with half the info missing.

2. Your CV is your first impression—make it count

We can spot a lazy CV a mile off—and so can our clients. It’s not about fancy design. It’s about relevance. If you’re going for a welding role, put your welding experience right at the top.

Got your CSCS, SMSTS, or a certain machine ticket? Say so—clearly.

Showing detailed technical knowledge really helps match your skills to the role you are looking for!

You don’t need to do this alone. If you’re not sure what to include, ask us. We speak to the hiring manager—we know what they’re actually looking for.

We’ll help you shape your CV so it gets noticed. That’s part of our job.

3. We know what’s happening behind the scenes

Recruiters hear about jobs before they go live.

We know which companies are hiring, who’s expanding, and who’s just browsing CVs with no real urgency.

We also know the going rate for your skills. If you're a skilled CNC setter or a qualified site manager, we’ll help make sure you're not underselling yourself—or overpricing yourself out of the market.

And if we know a client will love your background, we’ll fight your corner. You won’t get that from a job board.

4. We speak your language—and the client’s

Here’s the thing: if you’re in a hands-on industry like engineering or construction, you don’t always get the credit you deserve.

But we know the difference between MIG and TIG, between setting and programming, between groundwork and formwork. And we can explain that to the people hiring.

We don’t just send your CV and hope for the best—we tell the client why you’re the right fit. Because we get what you do.

And because we know our clients too, we can tell you if a site has a solid team, if the hours are worth the travel, or if the company has a good track record with temps turning perm. That’s the kind of insight that makes a real difference.

5. Stay in touch—it pays off

The best relationships we have with candidates are the ones we build over time. If we’ve placed you before and you’ve done a solid job, we’ll remember that. When the next opportunity lands on our desk, you’re top of the list.

We’re in this for the long haul. A quick text to say you’re coming off a job next week. A call to let us know your shift pattern’s changed. That stuff keeps you on our radar—and it leads to more consistent work.

Good candidates are reliable, communicative, and easy to work with. That reputation travels fast—in a good way.

Job hunting can be tough. But it doesn’t have to be lonely. When you work with a recruiter who knows your industry and actually listens, you give yourself a real advantage.

At BCS Connect, we’ve helped hundreds of people build long-term careers across Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction. We’d love to help you too.

Get in touch via email, or by calling 01543 629 090 or 07596 978 710