Remote Career Coach vs Recruiter: What is the Difference and Who Should You Hire?

Are you dreaming of landing a remote job but aren’t sure what steps you need to take to make it happen? Ever since the pandemic, especially, professionals across all industries are increasingly turning toward remote work as a way to gain more freedom and flexibility. After all, now you’ve got a taste for it! 

But in my experience as a remote career coach, the idea of “getting a remote job” can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. With so many tools and resources available online, one of the questions I get asked most often is, "What's the difference between a remote career coach and a recruiter?"

If you’ve been trying to wrap your mind around hiring a remote career coach vs. recruiter don’t worry — I’m going to break down both of these roles! While both can be valuable in your job search, their methods, priorities, and the support they provide are different. So now, let’s figure out which option makes the most sense for your goals!

A little pep talk before we dive in though. If you’re new around here, I want you to know that your dream remote career is almost always within reach! Seriously, I have a FREE weekly newsletter that includes around 30 new remote job postings every single week (plus a ton of tips to help you get started!). If you’re looking for support, you can learn more about my 1:1 remote career coaching or my Remote Career Accelerator. I’m not new to finding remote jobs online (I’ve been working remotely since 2015!) so you can also check out the success stories from my clients if you need a little boost to finally get started. I’d love to help you! 

First, What Is a Recruiter?

First, let’s talk about what a career recruiter is. ​​Recruiters are often contractors hired by companies to find the best talent for open positions. You don’t actually ever “hire” a recruiter if you’re looking for a job.

Because they were hired by the company, you can imagine that means that their focus is on meeting the company’s needs. While that might sound like a negative for job seekers, the truth is that working with a recruiter can still be valuable in connecting you with the right job openings. In my experience, they often have access to job openings that aren't publicly advertised and can help get your resume in front of hiring managers more quickly. 

With that said, it’s important to remember that their goal is to fill roles as efficiently as possible for the employer. Plus, they often get a commission (or cut of your salary) once the deal is closed. So, while they may connect you with remote job opportunities, their main priority is making sure that the company finds the right fit, not necessarily helping you land your ideal remote job.

Let’s compare that to what a remote career coach does now.

What is a Remote Career Coach?

Unlike recruiters, a remote career coach works for you, with the goal of helping you land the remote job that fits your specific needs and aspirations. You hire them, so you’re in the driver's seat. From there, it’s their job to offer personalized guidance to refine your job search strategies, boost your resume, optimize your LinkedIn profile, teach you how to authentically network, provide strategies to stand out from the competition and prepare you for interviews. If you’re looking for a remote career coach, you can find out more about working with me here.

Since we're not tied to specific companies or job openings, a remote career coach takes a broader view of the job market. Our focus is on helping you develop the skills, confidence, and strategies needed to secure a remote position on your terms. I know I might be biased, but we also consider your overall career progression and work-life goals, which makes us a great resource, especially for professionals transitioning from traditional office roles to remote work.

Key Differences in Services Offered

When it comes to comparing a remote career coach vs recruiter, there are four main things to consider:

• Who They Work For: Recruiters work for companies. They're hired to find the right candidates for open positions and often get paid based on successful placements. A remote career coach works for you. Their job is to give you the tools and advice you need to boost your job search and career.

• Scope of Service: Recruiters are usually focused on filling current job openings, while career coaches take a more long-term approach. A coach can help you set career goals, build a remote job search strategy, and even support you through the entire transition to working remotely.

• Personalization: Recruiters are focused on quickly matching candidates with open positions, which can make the process feel a bit transactional. A career coach, however, takes time to get to know you, your career goals, and where you can grow. 

• Strategy: Recruiters aren’t going to help you polish your resume or prep for interviews, they’re going to look for someone who has those things in place already. As a career coach, I can tell you firsthand that I’ve helped clients with anything from improving their LinkedIn profile to nailing their first virtual interview.

The truth is that the two are not mutually exclusive. They can BOTH play a role in helping you find a remote career. 

When to Work with a Remove Career Coach vs Recruiter

If you’re looking to access job openings quickly, looking for a recruiter might make the most sense. Recruiters often have access to exclusive job postings and have established relationships with hiring managers, so if you are the right fit, it can help expedite your application process. Recruiters can be especially invaluable if you’re targeting specific industries or companies where they have strong connections (the tech industry is notorious for this!).

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more personalized, long-term approach to your career, you may want to consider hiring someone like me, a remote career coach, first. Whether you’re transitioning to remote work for the first time, pursuing a career change, or feeling stuck in your current job search, I’d love to work together and give you the support and strategy you need.

Ultimately, it’s not about choosing between a recruiter or a career coach—you can absolutely benefit from both. The recruiter compliments the work of the career coach. I like to think about it like this: a recruiter is one of many ways to connect you to job openings, and a career coach ensures you're fully prepared to make the most of those opportunities. 

Hiring a Remote Career Coach vs Recruiter

Are you ready to break free from the 9-to-5 grind and start living the remote life? Whether you need 1:1 remote career coaching, a detailed roadmap from my Remote Career Accelerator, or just want to hang out with me on Instagram until you’re ready to take the leap, I’ve got you covered. Contact me when you’re ready to start building the remote career you deserve!