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The top 6 job secrets a recruiter knows — but won't tell you

Recruiters have a wealth of information about the companies they're paid by as well as your real chances of landing a particular job. And if you don't make the cut, a recruiter may have a good idea why — but that doesn't mean you'll be privy to this information.

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Much of the recruiting and hiring process remains a bit of a mystery, since you often don't see the full picture. These six insider "secrets" are things a recruiter knows, but probably won't tell you:

The company you're interviewing with is in trouble.

If a company's hiring, they must be doing well, right? Not necessarily. Although you may have the dream of finding a great job, learning the ropes and moving up the corporate ladder, the company you're interviewing with may be about to go belly up, former HR senior vice president Liz Ryan wrote on She cited one client who became curious about all the empty cubicles in an office, and when she asked the recruiter about it, she was told the company was undergoing a restructuring. She did some research and found out the company showed up repeatedly on analysts' lists of companies most likely to declare bankruptcy.

Your social media tanked your chances.

What you've heard is true — the vast majority of hiring managers check out their applicants' social media presence. All of your social media pages should reflect the image and brand you're trying to project, recruiters told Prospective employers don't want to see political posts or anything else that could be considered offensive. And it pays to be honest since they'll be comparing your job information to make sure it matches what you've provided.

Chemistry matters more than you think.

You probably spend a lot of time concerning yourself with presenting your experience, training and other skills. But as important as these are, chemistry may be more important, according to career expert Mary Ellen. It helps to build a good relationship with a recruiter or hiring manager. This way, even if you're not a good fit for the job you're applying for, the people who perform these jobs are more likely to find a job that you're better suited for.

You're not hearing anything back because you're the second choice.

If you feel like you had a great interview but are now getting the runaround and you can't get the recruiter to return your calls, the company and recruiter may be heavily invested in hiring another candidate, career coach Ashley Watki wrote on LinkedIn. You may be in limbo because you're second in line, but they don't want to reject you outright in case their dream candidate backs out.

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In many cases, they can't tell you why you didn't get the job.

If you interview with the recruiter or with the company that's hiring but don't end up getting the job, you may ask for feedback to improve your chances for the next position. In many cases, however, you won't get it, according to recruitment consultant Lisa McAteer. Recruiters may know that you weren't selected because you had low energy, didn't dress professionally enough, had body odor or were a poor communicator, but they can't tell you because of the possibility of being sued. Instead, McAteer said, you may only be told that you weren't a "cultural fit."

'Solopreneurs' may face some bias.

Many people in today's economy are contract workers, freelancers and "solopreneurs," but if you're in one of these positions and are trying to get back into the corporate world, you may face some bias. Employers often believe that you're self-employed not because you chose this route but because you couldn't find full-time work, consultant Laurie Ruettimann told Fast Company. If you've been self-employed for years and are older, you'll probably face a good bit of ageism and bias. Ruettimann advises working for clients who can provide good references for you or seeking employment with those clients. As you talk to prospective employers, emphasize your ability to work in a team as well as collaborate and learn.

