If you’ve ever wondered what recruiters actually do all day or how they get paid, you’re not alone. Many job seekers are unsure about how recruitment really works, and that uncertainty can make the process feel intimidating.

At Adria Solutions, we believe in transparency. We’ve been matching people with meaningful roles in tech, AI, marketing, sales, and data for more than 21 years, so we’ve seen every side of the recruitment process. Here’s a straightforward look at what recruiters do, how they make money, and how you can make the most of working with one.

So, what does a recruiter actually do?

Think of a recruiter as a connector. Our job is to bring together talented professionals and the companies that need them.

For candidates, that means helping you:

Understand what roles align with your skills and goals
Refine your CV so it stands out for the right reasons
Prepare for interviews with insight into what hiring managers are really looking for
Negotiate fair offers that reflect your value

For employers, it means understanding their culture, business goals, and skill gaps, then introducing the right people who will help them grow.

Recruitment isn’t about pushing people into roles. The best recruiters focus on finding the right match for both sides so everyone succeeds long term.

How do recruiters make money?

This is one of the most common questions we hear from candidates.

In almost every case, the employer pays the recruitment fee, not the candidate. You should never be asked to pay a recruiter to find you a job.

Here’s how it usually works:

When a company asks a recruitment agency to fill a role, they agree on a fee, usually a percentage of the new hire’s starting salary.
The recruiter only earns that fee once the candidate is successfully placed and starts the job.
For contract or temporary roles, agencies may handle payroll and charge the employer a daily or hourly rate, paying the contractor directly.

So, your recruiter is motivated to help you succeed because when you get hired, everyone wins.

How do recruiters find jobs for candidates?

Good recruiters don’t just scroll job boards. They spend years building relationships with hiring managers, learning what each company values, and understanding where the market is heading.

At Adria Solutions, we work closely with tech-driven companies across the UK that trust us to represent them in the market. That means many of the roles we recruit for aren’t advertised publicly.

When you register with a recruiter, you’re tapping into a hidden job market. We can match you to opportunities you might never see otherwise, often with employers who prefer to work through trusted recruitment partners rather than posting online.

How can you get the best out of working with a recruiter?

Here are a few simple ways to make your relationship with a recruiter more effective:

Be open and honest. Share your goals, salary expectations, and deal-breakers. The more we understand what you want, the better we can help.
Stay responsive. Roles can move quickly, especially in tech. Replying promptly helps you stay in the running.
Ask for feedback. A good recruiter will always be happy to share constructive advice after interviews.
Be clear about your timeline. If you’re juggling multiple interviews, let us know so we can manage things smoothly.

Recruiters are here to make the process easier and more personal, not to pressure you into a decision.

The truth about recruitment agencies

Not all recruiters work the same way, and experiences can vary. At Adria Solutions, our approach is built on five core values: authenticity, dedication, resourcefulness, integrity, and aspiration.

That means:

We’re open and transparent about the process.
We take time to understand both sides before making introductions.
We stay proactive and adaptable when challenges come up.
We always put honesty and long-term relationships first.

Our 4.9-star rating on Trustpilot reflects that approach. We care about getting it right for both the candidate and the client, not just filling a vacancy.

Final thoughts

Recruiters are more than middlemen between companies and candidates. Done well, recruitment is about partnership, empathy, and helping people reach their potential.

When you work with a recruiter who truly understands your field and takes the time to get to know you, you’re not just applying for a job, you’re opening doors to opportunities that fit your skills, values, and ambitions.

If you’re exploring your next move in tech, AI, data, marketing, or sales, our team at Adria Solutions is here to help.