Tips for Connecting with Recruiters

Hey everyone, Crafting a message to a recruiter on LinkedIn can be a critical part of your job search. Here are a few pro tips to help you make a positive impression: 1. Personalize your message: Instead of sending a generic (copy & paste) message, take the time to mention why you're interested in a specific company or role. Besides compensation and benefits...what was it? For me with Leidos QTC Health Services, it was the impact I could potentially have on my fellow veterans as they go through the VA disability process, being able to offer them employment opportunities, and the organizational culture that Casey Farr described when he reached out to me. This can truly help you stand out as a potential candidate and show that you've done your homework. 2. Be professional and polite: Remember that you're reaching out to a professional contact, so make sure your message is polite and respectful. Avoid using slang or informal language. Please make sure to spell the individuals name correctly. My name is Nathanael not Nathaniel. 3. Check their LinkedIn page/job board: Messaging a hospitality recruiter about a cyber secruity position that their organization doesn't even offer is a waste of both parties time. 4. Highlight your relevant experience: If you're reaching out about a specific job opportunity, make sure to highlight your relevant experience and skills. This can help the recruiter understand why you're a good fit for the role. 5. Keep it concise: Recruiters are often busy, so it's important to keep your message brief and to the point. Try to get your main points across in just a few sentences. 6. Follow up appropriately: If you don't hear back from the recruiter after your initial message, it's okay to follow up after a week or two. Just make sure to do so in a respectful and non-pushy way. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of making a positive impression on a recruiter and starting a valuable professional relationship. Good luck!

👋🏼 I'm back with #LinkedInTips number 2 - and similar to my first tip (check out my previous post 😉 ) this one is all about breaking the barrier between computer and human connection. The job market is full of amazingly talented individuals. Some applying to as many jobs as they can, some utilizing their networks and reaching out to people on multiple platforms, and most are doing both to get their foot in the door. As a recruiter, we can receive up to 10 connections requests and messages in a given day. During internship recruitment, I can receive sometimes up to 50, depending on if I had just attended a career fair. Here's my tip on making yourself STAND OUT from those 50 requests: ✨ Add a note in your connection request or send a message ✨ Adding a note to your connection request can do multiple things: 1. At the very least, this will make your connection request take up more space than the others. This can very easily make the eyes gravitate towards your connection. 2. It can provide context to the person you are connecting with, especially if you had met them at a previous event, like a career fair! 3. It shows you have intention, and that you took the extra effort to write something. 4. When they accept, your note automatically opens as a message, giving that person the opportunity, right then, to respond and follow up! BONUS TIP: Don't only add a note asking for time to chat, provide the role you applied for, why you're interested, and add in something you may have in common! Identifying a commonality will help you 🤜🏼 break down the barrier, allowing that person to connect with you emotionally. People are more likely to help someone they feel a connection to 💖 Here's a quick example: "Hi! I see you are also an alum from the UO, go ducks! I’m interested in your company, and applied for this open position. I’m passionate about what you’re doing, and believe my skills in these areas would be valuable to your goals. I would love to connect with you further. Best - Claire" Of course you'll want to specify the company and other details, but all of this fits within the 300 character limit with room to add more! It comes down to intentionally connecting, and that will help you stand out. Happy connecting! #NetworkingTips #UniversityRecruiting

If you're tirelessly sending out job applications and wondering why you're not getting interview calls, it's time to rethink your strategy. Here's a reality check: I applied for a role that was posted just yesterday, and the hiring manager revealed they had already received over 500 applications. Sounds daunting, right? But here's a twist: I didn't wait to be discovered in that massive pile. Instead, I took a proactive step that made all the difference. The game-changer? Connecting directly with the hiring manager and the most senior person in talent acquisition. Here's how you can do it too: Research and Connect: Use platforms like LinkedIn to find the hiring manager and senior talent acquisition personnel for the roles you're interested in. Don't just send a connection request; personalize it: Share briefly why you're reaching out and express genuine interest in the company and the role. Follow Up with Value: Once connected, send a follow-up message that makes it easy for them to see your potential fit. Example: "I have 15+ years of corporate social media experience for global brands and am ready to immediately help drive meaningful growth." Make Their Job Easy: In your communications, be clear, concise, and compelling. Help them see why you're worth a closer look. If this proactive approach helps even one job seeker break through the digital black hole of applications and land an interview, then it's a win. Remember, job hunting is not just about waiting to be found; it's about making yourself impossible to overlook. #OpenToWork #JobSearchTips #CareerAdvice #HiringNow

Are you connecting with the right recruiters? In a quick peek at my Inmails, I have outreach from people asking me to help them find jobs in finance, banking, and technician roles. Not my jam, folks. Work smarter, not harder, by identifying recruiters who specialize in your field or internally support your target companies. Why? 🔸Filtering out recruiters who don't handle the type of roles you are seeking saves you time on outreach that falls flat. 🔸You can build rapport and potentially spark a longer-term relationship with a recruiter that can help with future career moves. Here's a few tips on how to identify recruiters that can help: 🌟 Do you have a list of target companies? Research the internal recruitment and talent acquisition teams. Depending upon size, the TA teams could be generalists or have sub-teams that focus on a particular area of business (tech, finance, etc). 🔍 Search engines are your friend. Use keywords like "healthcare recruiter" to reveal staffing agencies or search firms that work your niche. ❔Staffing agencies have different models and services, ranging from placing temp workers to perm placement. Some are geographic specific, or focus on supporting a specific client. 🗣 Work your network. Ask for recommendations from colleagues. Who do they have relationships with? 👍🏽 Hit the "Follow" button to stay updated on open positions by relevant recruiters on LinkedIn. 💸 Agency Recruiters should not be charging a fee to any job-seekers--they are paid by our clients and/or company they represent! (Reverse recruiting is a whole different service) If you are unsure if the recruiter is the right fit, don't be afraid to ask. Worst-case scenario--they ignore you. Best case? They can recommend a better contact.

9 Things You Should Do When Messaging Recruiters on LinkedIn 📝 🤝 📈 LinkedIn serves as a bustling hub for job seekers and recruiters, with millions of interactions occurring weekly. To navigate this dynamic landscape effectively, candidates must employ a strategic approach when engaging with recruiters. Here are ten steps to optimize your interactions on LinkedIn: 1. Target Relevant Recruiters: Focus your efforts on recruiters specializing in your industry or field. Thoroughly research recruiters who work with companies aligned with your career goals. Personalizing your outreach to recruiters active within your niche significantly enhances your chances of a positive response. 2. Know the Recruiter's Profile: Familiarize yourself with the recruiter's background, interests, and professional history. Establishing common ground, such as shared connections or experiences, can help personalize your message and foster rapport. 3. Reference a Specific Job: Take the initiative to identify a particular role of interest and articulate how your skills align with it. By showcasing your proactive approach and suitability for a specific position, you make it easier for the recruiter to connect you with relevant opportunities. 4. Include Only Relevant Details: Keep your message concise and focused, including essential information like your location, work preferences, and core skills. 5. Articulate Your Value: Clearly communicate how your skills and experience align with the role. Rather than expecting recruiters to connect the dots, explicitly highlight your value proposition and relevant achievements. 6. Don't Ask for Too Much Too Soon: Initiate conversations without immediately asking for a job. Express interest in exploring potential opportunities and offer to learn more about relevant roles. 7. Attach Your Resume: Streamline the review process by attaching your resume to your message. While recruiters can access your LinkedIn profile, including your resume demonstrates professionalism and expedites their assessment. 8. Facilitate Further Discussion: Propose multiple times for a conversation and utilize scheduling tools to simplify the process. Demonstrating flexibility and convenience increases the likelihood of engaging in meaningful dialogue. 9. Follow Up Proactively But Patiently: Maintain communication by following up within a reasonable timeframe. While expressing your continued interest, avoid excessive persistence that may deter recruiters. By adhering to these ten steps, candidates can optimize their LinkedIn interactions, effectively engage with recruiters, and increase their chances of accessing relevant job opportunities. #itrecruiter #staffing #staffingindustry #recruiter #itcareers #techhiring

Traditional employment paths are becoming tougher to navigate. Here's how to cut through the clutter. 👉 The context? Roles often go to internal candidates or referrals. Over 40% of positions filled internally and networking outweighs direct applications 7:1 in final hiring choices. As an applicant, you'll get lost in robotic Applicant Tracking Systems. As a hiring manager, it's tough to manage the noise. A better approach would involve using contextual data to match candidates' skills/past successes with real corporate needs, focusing on job context and performance-based requirements. Until then, if you're looking for work, navigate the hidden job market with these steps: 1. Clarify Your Brand: Your resume and LinkedIn act as gatekeepers. Keep your resume is concise, achievement-focused, and tailored. LinkedIn should represent your professional identity, highlighting skills, experiences, knowledge. 2. Find Your Voice: Amplify your presence on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or even TikTok. Share industry insights and original thoughts to boost visibility and establishing expertise. 3. Network: Engage in local events, professional groups, and discussions. Networking is about genuine connections, not just adding contacts. 4. Direct Outreach: Use tools like LinkedIn SalesNavigator, OctopusCRM, Apollo for targeted outreach within your industry or desired companies, expressing interest. 5. Networking Calls: Use them to uncover 'business pain' and align your past achievements to solving these challenges. 6. The Art of Follow-up: Persistently follow up with those who engage, expressing thanks and interest, to maintain momentum. 7. Master the Interview: Learn techniques like STAR and behavioural interviewing to align your experiences with job requirements. 8. Resilience is Key: Expect rejection, including ghosting and offer withdrawals. Stay positive and learn from each setback. Adopting these strategies isn't just about finding a job; it's useful in building a career. Reach out if you need guidance. I will help. What's worked in your job search? Share your strategies.

As a seasoned recruiter, I’ve seen many job seekers struggle to make a lasting impression. Today, I want to share some tips to help you stand out in today's labor market.   Be Attentive and Engaging: From that initial call with a recruiter, treat every interaction as an opportunity to shine and stand out. Remember, recruiters are not just gatekeepers; we’re your allies. We want to help. To leave a lasting impression, actively listen, ask pertinent questions, and show authentic interest. Let your true self shine through. 🌞   Two-Way Evaluation: Don't forget that job hunting is a two-way street. While employers evaluate you, you should also evaluate them. Make sure the company culture aligns with your values and there are growth opportunities that fit your goals. Ask questions, pry, and trust your instincts.   LinkedIn Etiquette: As Daniel Space mentioned yesterday, your LinkedIn activity matters. Avoid venting frustrations about broken processes or market challenges. Recruiters and hiring managers scrutinize recent activity—it’s their first impression of you. Keep it professional, share valuable insights, and engage constructively.   Follow-Up Gracefully: Yes, it’s okay to follow up! We appreciate your persistence. Understand that recruiters wear many hats—juggling multiple roles, deadlines, and candidates. Your proactive outreach signals genuine interest and engagement.   Recruiter friends, what are your top tips for job seekers navigating today's labor market? Share them in the comments below! 📢 👇   #RecruitmentTips #JobSearch #RecruiterInsights

Connecting with people on LinkedIn and immediately making a request is rude. Try this instead. Here’s modern advice on job hunting:  Go to LinkedIn.  Connect with recruiters. Connect with hiring managers.  Get the job you want. Now, does that actually work?  And how quickly? And how often? Here's the reality. Doing that in person would seem rude. Imagine a stranger walking up to you.  And they ask for 50 dollars. You’d look at them from head to toe.  And say no, then walk away. How is doing that on LinkedIn different? Now, think about how your make friends. I mean, in real life: You show up somewhere.  They show up somewhere.  You might say, “Hey, I’ve seen you around.” “What’s your name?” They might say, “Hey, I’ve seen you too.” “My name is …” The next time, you see each other. You gravitate toward each other. And you hang out. Then, you might meet somewhere else. Soon, you know each other’s life story.  Then, you know each other tastes in food.  Or in music.  Or in movies. Eventually, they hear about a job.  They think of you, because they like you.  And they refer you.    With that in mind, do this instead. 👉Click follow first.  👉Whenever they post (if they post), react.  👉Comment on their posts.  👉Use the RAQ framework:  - Recognize - Appreciate - Question 👉See if they engage in the comments.  👉Do that for a few weeks.  👉Then send a direct message.  👉Suggest a hang out on a video call.   👉Don’t ask for anything.  👉Just see if you vibe.  👉Then continue to foster that relationship. I know that takes a long time.  You might need a job now.  That’s okay, network later. If you need a job now, network later.  When you get a job, then network.  Follow the steps above. And that’s why, I tell people to network.  But I teach them how to network. And I remind them to think long-term.  Think long-term investment.  That perspective matters. . . . #jobhunting #jobseeking #networking

Words matter. ❌ Instead of saying, “Here’s my resume. Do you have anything that’s a fit for me?” ✅ Try asking, “Are you the best Recruiter to contact about PM roles? I have 10 years of experience managing software implementations, handling budgets from six figures to $1M. I definitely see a fit based on [company’s] work on [product]. I don’t see an opening at the moment but would love to reconnect for future opportunities.” ____ Being specific rather than generic is a good way to stand out—especially in today’s job market. - Be brief & direct - Do your homework - Ask the right questions - Sell your relevant experience PS. Even the perfect message can be overlooked. It’s normal and part of the journey. Don’t let rejections slow you down!