June 10, 2014 | 5 min read
Job Searching? Snag That Recruiter’s Attention!

Tandym Group

For those currently seeking a new job, it can seem difficult to get a call back from hiring managers. However, they aren’t the only ones you should be trying to get the attention of; in fact, in many cases, it may make the most sense to first get on the radar of a recruiter from a staffing firm. Of course, before they can help ease the application and interview process, you first must get a call from one.

Though leveraging LinkedIn to get a recruiter’s attention is an excellent starting point, LinkedIn isn’t your only avenue for doing so. When reaching out to recruiters, it’s important to cover all your bases—both on and off line. Do make sure that your profile is up-to-date and accurate, however, before starting your search.

Once you’re ready to start, make a list of the companies you most want to work for and the positions you want. Then research them thoroughly to make sure you’re knowledgeable on what you’re looking for and what it will take to achieve it, and in the process, find their social media profiles and interact with them regularly. Even if your dream company isn’t hiring or doesn’t work with the recruiter you wind up partnering with, it’s important to be able to show to any hiring decision maker that you’re knowledgeable and involved in the industry and that you know how to network.

The key here is that, although in most cases recruiters reach out to candidates, you as a candidate cannot be passive. Upload your resume, but don’t expect someone to just stumble upon it. Attend career fairs and hand your credentials out, and contact recruiters directly to ask if you can submit your resume to them personally. Recruiters are here to work with you to make the best match possible, but with the number of jobseekers now taking to the internet to find work, you have to make sure you make your presence known. Additionally, it can be helpful to apply to jobs both online and in person. Many recruitment firms will have a job board for candidates to research and apply to open positions with their clients, and this is the most direct way to get your resume into a recruiter’s hands.

Finally, make sure all your information is connected so that it’s impossible for a recruiter to miss anything vital. For example, make sure to add your LinkedIn URL to your resume, and make sure all your qualifications are accurately represented on your LinkedIn profile. Provide your social media contact information on both so that your industry-related activity can be easily found. Follow all these steps, and you should have a comprehensive image attached to your personal brand both online and in person that a recruiter is hard-pressed to miss.

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