Working with a recruiter for the first time: what to share

What should I share with a recruiter?

Start with the essentials. Your current job title, main responsibilities, and three recent achievements make it easy for a recruiter to match you to roles.

Be clear about logistics. Notice period, remote or relocation preferences, visa or work permit status, and any non-compete clauses matter to clients and timelines.

Be honest about salary expectations, but give a range rather than a precise figure. Say whether total compensation or base salary is the priority.

Share links that demonstrate your work. LinkedIn, portfolio sites, GitHub or published papers cut ambiguity and let a recruiter sell your skills faster.

What should I keep private?

Avoid sharing confidential material from your employer. Internal reports, proprietary code, client lists and slide decks are off-limits unless you have explicit permission.

You do not need to disclose every grievance or office politics story. Recruiters appreciate candid context, but gossip is counterproductive and harms your credibility.

Exact salary numbers from internal colleagues are rarely useful and can create awkwardness. A sensible range and your flexibility are enough for early conversations.

Personal health details, ethnicity, religious beliefs and sexual orientation are not relevant and should remain private unless you choose otherwise.

How do recruiters use your information?

Recruiters build a case for you with hiring managers. They convert your CV and examples into a short pitch that highlights impact, not job descriptions.

They will check fit against role requirements, salary bands and team culture. Facts like notice period or eligibility to work can remove candidates quickly if they do not match.

Recruiters may keep a record of your profile for future roles. Under GDPR or local privacy laws they should explain how they store and share your data, and who they represent.

Always ask who the recruiter is submitting your details to, and whether they will seek your permission before doing so. Good recruiters will confirm the client and get consent.

Checklist: what to prepare before your first call

1. *Current role summary*. Two to three lines that explain what you do and the scale of your work, for example team size, budget or product scope.
2. *Top achievements*. Pick two measurable examples that show impact, such as revenue uplift, cost savings or process improvements.
3. *Salary range*. A realistic band based on market research and your priorities, rather than a single figure.
4. *Notice period and availability*. Exact dates and any blackout periods, like end of quarter or public holiday commitments.
5. *Links to work*. LinkedIn, portfolio, GitHub or published articles so the recruiter can verify claims quickly.
6. *Eligibility and restrictions*. Visa status, non-compete clauses or other legal constraints that affect start date or role type.
7. *Non-negotiables*. A short list of deal-breakers such as remote vs office, sector preferences or reporting lines.

What are the red flags to watch for?

A recruiter who refuses to name the hiring company or insists they cannot get your consent before submitting you is a risk. Ask direct questions and expect direct answers.

Pressure to share confidential files, or a request to bypass your current manager, should set off alarm bells. Professional recruiters will not ask you to expose your employer.

Recruiters who demand payment from candidates, or make extraordinary promises without evidence, are not acting in your best interest.

If a recruiter is vague about process, timelines or the role itself, push for clarity. A decent recruiter has a timeline, key stakeholders and interview stages ready.

One last thing

Treat the relationship as a two-way assessment. You evaluate the recruiter as much as they evaluate you. Ask for references, check their LinkedIn presence and keep written records of what you agree.

Good recruiters protect your confidentiality, explain their process, and act as a pragmatic advocate. If they do not, walk away and find someone who will.