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Eight Steps for the Care and Feeding of Recruiters

Recruiters are the gatekeepers for most jobs. They can also be a tremendous advocate and resource for cleared job seekers. Knowing the best way to work with recruiters is crucial for any cleared professional looking for their next opportunity.

But let’s be clear. A recruiter’s role is to fill the positions they have open and to be on the lookout for talent their company may need in the future. They aren’t a job finding service for you. However they can be an invaluable resource for you. And you for them.

How Do I Make a Recruiter’s Job Easier

1.  Don’t apply for jobs you aren’t qualified for. If you don’t meet at least 80% of the requirements for the job, don’t apply. If you are unproven or unknown, they’re not going to take a chance on you unless they have worked with you before or you’ve been referred. There are too many other qualified job seekers out there.

2.  Have a solid resume, elevator speech and interviewing skills. A recruiter is looking for strong talent to fill a position. The recruiter is often the person recommending the hiring manager talk to you. Do your part as a professional and be prepared with solid job search tools.

3.  Be responsive. Return any call or email within 24 hours. Faster if possible.

4.  Fully complete your profile on ClearedJobs.Net. It gives recruiters a more complete picture of your talents and abilities. Some recruiters view incomplete profiles as a reflection of your work style, so don’t start off appearing to be unfinished and unable to follow directions completely.

5.  Have an online presence beyond ClearedJobs.Net. It provides a different perspective on your skills as well as information that isn’t on your resume or profile. A good example of that is LinkedIn Recommendations. Some cleared job seekers aren’t comfortable with this and never will be. Senior management of several three-letter government agencies have LinkedIn profiles. You can too if you’re smart about it.

6.  Be consistent with your personal information. As much as it’s feasible, use the same name on all online sites. On your resume, cover letter, job applications, email address, email signature, etc. Use similar biographic info and don’t contradict yourself. For example the dates of employment on your resume should coincide with those on LinkedIn. You’d be surprised how often they aren’t. Use the same professional photo on all social media sites. Link your profiles across social media platforms. For example include your LinkedIn profile on your Facebook profile.

7.  Keep the recruiter in the loop. After an interview with a hiring manager let the recruiter know how it went from your perspective. The recruiter may have tips on how you should follow up or advice for the next round of interviews. And if you are interviewing for and accept a position with another company, keep the recruiter up-to-date on that too.

8.  Be a great resource. If a recruiter sends you a job that’s not the right match, recommend someone else if it’s appropriate. Not only will the recruiter appreciate your willingness to be a resource, but it also demonstrates that you are smart enough not to apply for jobs that aren’t a good fit for you.

Smart recruiters know that good candidates are also good referral sources. Some companies will reward the referral source with cash. “We seek referrals from strong candidates, whether we are a fit for each other or not. We offer $1,000 to the referral source after the hired candidate completes 90 days of employment,” shares April Rose, NMR Consulting Recruiter.

Recruiters come in all types, personalities and dispositions. But all of them appreciate job seekers who have done their homework and are prepared for the process.