9 TIPS FOR WORKING EFFECTIVELY WITH RECRUITERS

Think of them as the bridge between where you are and where you want to be

Clint Hankinson,

ACDS Director of Marketing

IN AN EVER-CHANGING job market, working effectively with talent recruiters can make all the difference in landing your dream tech job. Recruiters often act as the bridge between you and potential employers, helping you navigate the broad IT job market and find opportunities that best match your skills and experience.

These relationships can be golden! So, the more that you can help recruiters help you, the more doors will open to you. Here are nine simple tips to help you work effectively with talent recruiters:

1. Be clear about your goals: Before engaging with a talent recruiter, be clear about what you’re looking for in your next job. What are your career goals? What kind of role are you looking for? What are your salary expectations? Having a clear understanding of your goals will help recruiters match you with the right opportunities. (If you’re fuzzy about what you’re looking for, our incredible team of ACDS talent recruiters can help you discover your best opportunities!)

2. Build a relationship: Treat recruiters as partners in your job search rather than just means to an end. Take the time to build a relationship with them, understand their needs and priorities, and stay in touch even if you aren’t actively looking for a job. Set out to be the candidate that they love to work with. Even if the first job doesn’t work out, they’ll remember you for future opportunities.

3. Keep your resume and LinkedIn profile up-to-date: Your resume is your calling card, and it needs to be up-to-date and tailored to the roles you’re interested in. Make sure it highlights your skills and experience in a clear and concise manner, and that it’s easy for recruiters to scan and understand.

Your LinkedIn profile not only provides you with greater visibility and space to showcase your background, but it’s also one of the first places recruiters and employers will visit when they’re considering you for a position.

4. Be responsive: When recruiters reach out to you, respond promptly and professionally. Make yourself available for calls and meetings, and keep the lines of communication open. Don’t ghost them. You hate it when others do it to you, so don’t do it to others. Remember, how you engage with a recruiter reflects how you’ll work with an employer. Be professional—always.

5. Provide feedback: If a recruiter sends you a job description with a title, skillset, or location that you don’t think is a good fit, let them know. Healthy and prompt communication will help them refine their search, better understand your needs, and find better options for you.

6. Be honest: Honesty is the best policy. Period! Be upfront about your skills, experience, and any limitations or challenges you may have. Let them know what you’re interested in and what you’re not. This will help recruiters match you with opportunities that are a good fit for your profile. Don’t ask them to find you job roles that you know are an unlikely match just because they pay well or are with a “cool” company.

7. Research the company: Before going to an interview, do your research on the company and the role. This will help you understand their needs and tailor your responses to their expectations. Doing your homework will not only impress the employer, but also the recruiter. They’ll feel more confident and eager to help you land a job, even if it takes a few tries.

8. Prepare for interviews: Prepare for interviews by practicing common interview questions and researching the company and its industry. Dress professionally (even on a virtual interview) and be on time. Ask your recruiter questions before the interview. They should be glad to help you prepare—because when they help their employer client fill a job, they win as well.

9. Follow up: After an interview, follow up with the recruiter to thank them for their time and to reiterate your interest in the role. This will show your professionalism and commitment to the job search process. And you’ll continue to build a strong relationship.

As you’ve probably discovered, finding a new job can be messy and frustrating. You need all the friends you can get to help you move forward. Investing in your relationship with recruiters is always a good thing. You never know—a recruiter just may find you that ideal job you’ve been looking for!