When you’re searching for a new job, it’s natural to want to keep your options open. Many candidates believe that casting a wide net or staying general about what they’re looking for will increase their chances of landing a role. But when it comes to working with a recruiter, being vague can actually hurt your chances more than it helps.

At Murray Resources, we see this all the time: well-intentioned job seekers who tell us they’re “open to anything” or “willing to try different roles” with the hope that flexibility will make them more marketable. Unfortunately, this general approach often has the opposite effect.

Here’s why being specific about your job search goals is one of the best ways to help your recruiter help you.

Why General Job Requests Don’t Help Recruiters

Recruiters aren’t generalists. We don’t place candidates into “any job.” We fill very specific roles with clearly defined requirements, skill sets, and experience levels. So, when a candidate says they’re open to “whatever’s available,” it doesn’t give us the information we need to match them to any particular opening.

Recruiters Are Tasked With Precision Hiring

Recruiters work with employers who have precise hiring needs—whether it’s five years of SaaS sales experience, fluency in Spanish, or a background in energy finance. If you approach a recruiter and say, “I’m open to anything,” it creates more work for the recruiter without improving your chances of being placed.

How Specificity Helps You Stand Out

When you’re crystal clear about what you’re looking for, you become a much more attractive candidate for specific roles. Being specific shows that:

• You understand your strengths

• You have a direction and career goals

• You’ve done the homework on your target industry or job type

That’s a big green flag for both recruiters and employers.

Examples of Helpful Specifics to Share:

• Preferred work environment (Hybrid, remote, in-office)

• Target industries (Healthcare, manufacturing, tech, oil & gas, etc.)

• Desired job title or function (Marketing Manager, Executive Assistant, etc.)

• Location preferences (Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, etc.)

• Salary range expectations

• Relevant certifications or experience levels

Why “Open to Anything” Might Stall Your Search

While it may feel like you’re giving yourself more chances, a lack of focus can actually slow your job search down. It puts the onus on the recruiter to guess what you might want—and often results in missed opportunities. In a fast-moving job market, recruiters don’t have time to play the guessing game.

When you’re specific, recruiters can immediately think of roles that fit and even advocate for you with hiring managers. You become memorable—and placeable.

Be Strategic, Not Broad

Being open-minded is great when you’re early in your career or exploring options—but even then, having a defined path or two is still better than being completely open-ended.

If you’re unsure, take some time to evaluate:

• What type of work energizes you?

• What industries excite you?

• What environments help you do your best work?

Even a little bit of clarity can make a huge difference when working with a recruiter.

Work with a Houston Recruiter Who Will Advocate for You

If you’re serious about landing your next opportunity, make sure you’re giving your recruiter the right tools to help you succeed. At Murray Resources, we work closely with candidates to match them with roles that align with their goals, skills, and preferences—but we need you to be specific.

Not sure where to begin? Take a look at our current job openings or contact us today to start a focused conversation about your next move.