How to Get Noticed by Recruiter

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Job search strategies come in several formats, from networking to resume writing, as a job seeker you are constantly looking for the best way to land a job that you love. The recruiter is the gatekeeper into the job world and are professionals who often work hectic schedules and are solely responsible for managing various aspects of the recruitment and selection process.

Want to get noticed by more recruiters?

This article will help you understand the daily life of a recruiter, the different types of recruiters and the strategies they use to find applicants. During the course of your job search the first thing you want to do is make sure that you have a clear understanding of what it is that you are looking for. Being clear, concise, and organized is one trait that will keep recruiters interested in you.

There are several different methods that you can use to make your job search easier, from resume distributing software to networking and referrals there is always a way to make yourself more noticeable and more accessible to the recruiter.

Understanding the Recruitment Process

The first thing you need to know is that there are different types of recruiters – corporate, commissioned and recruiters who work on both a salary and commission. No matter what environment recruiters work in they always have to prove their productivity through reaching company set KPI’s. Much of a recruiter’s day is spent screening resumes, reaching out to applicants, interviewing and presenting new candidates to their company that meet the requirements of the job they are filling.

When recruiters work for large corporations, they usually do not have any kind of commission, commissioned recruiters only get paid when they place an applicant in a position. One misperception about recruiters is that they are only out to fill their pipeline and contact as many people as possible! The fact is that recruitment is a strategic process that is designed to meet the needs of both the candidate and the organization. Recruitment is a fast paced job that requires a clear pathway for communication. By being prepared when a recruiter contacts you this will help your job search move along much faster.

Work with a Career Coach

These are professionals who are going to work with you one-on-one to discover the best ways to organize your job search. A Career Coach is not going to find you a job, but they will certainly be able to point you in the right direction and will be able to provide you with resources. They will be your partner during your job search and can help you with resume writing, understanding the labour market, self-branding, and networking. A career coaching will help you get organized and polish up on your interview skills which will make you a more competitive candidate. Career Coaches also maintain a key focus on helping clients find meaningful work, as opposed to a simple job. While Career Coaches are an investment, they are professionals that will be able to help you develop skills you can carry forward in your career and use again.

What can I do as a job seeker to make myself more available?

Begin with having a resume that is prepared and targeted to every single position that you apply for. This will make the job search and screening process much more concise for the recruiter. You want to make sure that all of the required information is on the first page of the resume. Make sure your resume is written in a manner that will not require recruiters to flip through several pages and piece together your job history. Commonly missing items on the resume are position titles, the city where the company was located, the name of your degree or school and correct contact information. Make sure that your contact info is current and up to date! Targeting the resume is not just about using keywords that might bring your resume up in a database, it also involves using industry language and phrases.

The telephone conversation is often the first point of contact, this is the chance for the recruiter to ask you questions and make sure you are the right person to put through to the next stage. If a recruiter calls you, make sure you return their call within a few hours if possible, and avoid delaying the call back by even a few days. When you do respond, make it a point to have your resume and the job posting in front of you.

Throughout the week, recruiters are interviewing people and screening sometimes over 15 people in one day. So when you do connect with them make sure that you are prepared to answer any questions that they might have for you. During the initial phone screening, they are looking to see if you will be a fit for the job, they are also looking to determine what you are looking for and to ensure that you have the right abilities. During the phone screening, attitude and personality count for a lot, remember it is the first impression they will have of you, so remember to be pleasant, conversational and answer the questions directly. Always remember: a salary negotiation should be started by the recruiter or employer!

Social media and the internet are making it easier now more than ever to get noticed in the labour market. Recruiters use a system called a resume database, which is a subscription that they pay for on a yearly or monthly basis. Some of the more common ones are Monster, CareerBuilder, Workopolis and Indeed, in addition to these ones there are a lot of other websites that serve this same function. These websites can be a goldmine for the job seeker when recruiters use these databases, they search for keywords from the job posting and then they come up with various resumes of potential applicants. For job seekers, it is free for you to post your resume on these websites by creating a login and marking your resume as public. To stay at the top of the pile make sure you repost your resume every few days or once a week.

LinkedIn is a great tool that recruiters use to find applicants with, a lot of job seekers are starting to utilize this website more and more because it brings the corporate world to your fingertips. When looking for a job make sure that you are active on LinkedIn and are reaching out to recruiters. By being active on LinkedIn you’re allowing your contacts to see that you’re available for work, you can also consider changing your headline on your LinkedIn profile. If you’re not currently employed, you can use the headline on your profile to put a message of up to 140 characters. Consider putting something like currently looking for new opportunities followed by mentioning the industry. One of the best things about LinkedIn is that you can use it to reach out to recruiters directly. LinkedIn is a really great way to add a personal touch when you make the connection write a message telling the recruiter who you are, that you understand their time is valuable and thank them for taking the time to connect with you. Offer to send your resume. Another strategy is googling employment agencies, there are several agencies that specialize in various industries, make the time to reach out to those organizations.

Keeping in touch with a recruiter on a regular basis is always a good idea, if you have an updated resume, send them a copy. They usually appreciate updates, and this can help to put your resume back on the top of their list. If you have been working with the same person for a while consider following up with them every 2 to 3 weeks, and don’t be afraid to work with more than one recruiter. As a rule of thumb, only apply to each position one time, there can be instances where a few different people will contact you for the same position. One thing to be mindful of is coming off in a manner that could be perceived as demanding, always remember recruiters are often well connected, and can be a great partner in career progression.

When it comes to the job search, as a candidate you are expected to be organized and prepared when interacting with employers. Give yourself a boost by having a clear understanding of what you are looking for, be willing to network and maintain connections when searching for a job and keep your professional network going while you have a job.

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