Connecting with Recruiters – The Targeted Job Search [Updated]

Connecting with Recruiters is Vital

In this social media connected world, recruiters have become the mesh that holds things together. Connecting and cultivating relationships with recruiters and other HR professionals is critical.

Before you read on, this is the fourth in this series on the Targeted Job Search. If you have not read the previous steps this is a good time to read the rest of the Targeted Job Search series.

Recruiters are people, and they entered the profession because they like dealing with people.

I know, I know. You have run into some really bad recruiters…people who do not respond to e-mails or phone calls!

Most recruiters are under extreme stress from tight deadlines to hiring managers who do not know what they want or do not know how to interview.

Here are three things I want you to know about recruiters:

1. They change jobs frequently. With the ups and downs of the economy, recruiters are often the first to be laid off when things get bad and the first to be hired when things turn around.
2. They connect with almost everyone in their organizations and carry those connections from company to company. Therefore, they have very large networks.
3. Recruiters are often the person in between you and the hiring manager.

It is key to cultivate these relationships!

Connecting on LinkedIn with recruiters

For each company on your target list, you should do the following:

• Go to LinkedIn advanced search and perform a search of the title field for recruiter in the name. I actually use the following search string “recruiter OR Talent OR Human Resources OR HR,” as some organizations do not use “recruiter” in their titles or may not have someone in HR dedicated to recruiting.
• Identify a recruiter and send them a connection request. In it, state why you want to connect. A good example is as follows:

Dear insert recruiters name,

I am very interested in a marketing position at xyz company (if there is a current position open mention it.) Are you the recruiter who handles these kinds of positions? If not, will you direct me to the recruiter who does? Could we set up a time to talk about your organization? In the mean time, please accept this invitation to connect.

Listen to the most recent episode

Your name

When the recruiter receives your invitation, three things will happen:

• Almost every time, the recruiter will accept your invitation to connect. You will now rise higher in their searches because you are a first-degree connection. Also, their network of company employees is now your 2nd-degree connections. You now will be able to see full names of employees within the target company!
• If the recruiter likes your profile, they will likely reach out to you for a short conversation via e-mail or over the phone. They may forward you on to the recruiter who handles the positions you are looking for.

What if they accept my connection but I never hear from them?

Send them an e-mail or LinkedIn message. You are now a first-degree connection on LinkedIn.

When you do hear from them, do not forget to ask them for AIR – Advice, Insights, and Recommendations!

Recruiters need you as much as you need them. They are looking for referrals. When you talk with them, always be polite and courteous. Always complete the conversation with how can I help you?

Remember that recruiters move around. Keep track of their career moves using LinkedIn Contacts functions.  Be helpful to them, even when you are not looking for your next gig.

Recruiters and the Interview

Recruiters often control the interview process. They will be the person that will do all of the scheduling and will likely be your contact at the company.

One of the common complaints I get from clients is the recruiter has gone silent. They have not heard anything from the recruiter or the hiring manager after an interview.

Many of my clients will start suffering from MSU Syndrome (Make Stuff Up). They do not have any idea why the recruiter has gone silent and they start making up stories. When this happens they need to focus on what they do control which is to contact the recruiter.

If you still have not gotten a response, I would want you to use the takeaway close technique which I describe in the post 3 Steps to Get the Hiring Manager or Recruiter to Respond.

Make Yourself Memorable

Recently, I had a client run the interview gauntlet with a major tech employer. However, he did not get the job. He had a chance to speak with the recruiter after he was told he was not selected and the recruiter told him that the top 2 people really liked him, but the 2 junior members of the team did not think he could keep up. My client really does need to focus on his health and needs to radiate a healthier image. This feedback was invaluable.

The recruiter contacted him a couple of weeks later and set up a phone interview for a different position at the company. My client had done well enough in the first set of interviews that the recruiter would put him forward for more positions.

I have suggested that my client send him a $10 Starbuck gift card as a way to say thanks even if he does not get the job. Rarely do people think to go back and thank recruiters for all of their help. Believe me when I say, if you treat recruiters right they will remember you and that will pay off over and over and over again.

Have you had a good experience with a recruiter? Tell us about it in the comment box below.

To read the rest of the Targeted Job Search series click here.

Marc Miller  

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