Tips for communicating with recruiters

I chose a career in recruiting and coaching because I find fulfillment in helping individuals land their dream job through my efforts, and also in guiding them to discover their true passions, thus allowing them to bring joy and positivity to those around them.

I am grateful for the large number of connections I have on LinkedIn (22,000+ to be exact), but it also means that I receive a significant amount of messages daily from job seekers. While I wish I could respond to each one of them, it would consume all my time, and I wouldn't be able to manage my other responsibilities and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

The job market is highly competitive, and the pace is fast-moving, so effective communication is crucial in your job search.?

As a recruiter, career coach, and human, I value maintaining connections with my candidates and providing support throughout their career journey. Therefore it's my pleasure to share some tips on how to effectively communicate with us recruiters in order to make a great impression and establish a productive and long-lasting relationship.

Do your part and research before contacting a recruiter

Before reaching out to a recruiter, it's important to first check if they or their agency have posted a job that aligns with your qualifications and interests. You can apply for the job through the link provided and then send a follow-up note to confirm receipt and address any questions they may have. Keep in mind that contacting a recruiter about a job you are not qualified for will not be beneficial for either party.

For instance, I created a website to list all my open roles with the appropriate job descriptions and locations. I don't have anything else that's not listed there. So you can take time to read the job descriptions and apply if things are a match. This will help everyone save time!

Be clear in your message

When communicating with a recruiter, it's important to be concise and provide all relevant information in one message. This will save time and prevent the recruiter from having to ask basic questions. Be specific and clearly explain how your experiences and skills align with the position you are applying for. Keep in mind that recruiters often receive a high volume of messages, and a back-and-forth exchange may result in your message getting lost among others.

Here is a good example:

Hello, Asli - I'm an X from NY and I'm looking for a new freelance or fulltime role. I saw this job (link). I am confident I'm a good fit because of X. My specialties include XXX?My portfolio is here: ----- I'd love to chat.

Here are bad examples:

• Do you have a job for me?
• I would like to talk about opportunities (without any other relevant info).
• Hey .. (this one is my favorite)

Include your resume, portfolio link, and password

I can't emphasize enough the importance of this, which is probably the reason why your message is not answered. Need to send a large file? Share a link to your Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive...

Keep your resume and portfolio current

Be proactive and make sure your resume and portfolio are current and up to date before contacting recruiters.?We can't present candidates without a portfolio or with outdated projects. Your most recent work from the last 1-3 years should be up on your site.

Be flexible and open to feedback

As a recruiter, I review a large number of portfolios on a daily basis and receive feedback from clients. This allows me to determine whether a portfolio is a good fit for a specific employer's needs. My role is not just to blindly pass along portfolios to clients, but to also provide guidance and coaching to candidates who are open to receiving feedback on what works and doesn't work in their portfolios, in order to increase their chances of securing an interview.

If you request feedback, it's important to approach it with an open mind and avoid becoming defensive. Remember, this feedback is not a criticism of your character or creativity, but rather an opportunity to improve and benefit from the experience.

The feedback I usually give:??

When providing feedback to creative candidates, I usually suggest that they visit the website of the company they are interested in working for. By looking at the company's overall look and feel, design aesthetic, clients, and past work, candidates can determine if their portfolio aligns with the company's style and if they have similar clients or industries represented in their portfolio. If the answer is no, it's likely that their portfolio may not align with what the company is looking for. In this case, it's worth taking the time to update your portfolio and highlight your relevant work experience.

When to follow up?

It's important to keep in touch with your recruiter, but it's also crucial to strike a balance between being persistent and respectful of their time. I understand that it can be a delicate balance, but not following up could mean missing out on an opportunity. From my perspective, it's helpful to receive follow-up inquiries as messages can get lost easily. I appreciate it when candidates follow up as it gives me the opportunity to respond if I missed their previous messages. However, it's also important to give some space between messages and not to come off as desperate or aggressive.

Lastly, when communicating with recruiters, it's important to be kind and display all the qualities that make a person a good human being: honesty, respect, and positivity. These qualities will help you to establish trust and build a positive relationship. Don't forget: Kindness is a powerful tool that would lead to success in any situation!

If you would like to know more about this topic and/or inquire about career coaching, please email me.