Getting in touch with recruiters

In our LinkedIn Group this has been a major topic of discussion. So we thought it important to give some tips that will help out.

In our new executive job search book “This Is NOT the Position I Accepted. Executive recruiters reveal the inside secrets how to reduce your time in search” we have a whole section on this topic, so I will summarize as best I can to help out. If you want more on how you can read the complete Ebook for $1 and read the whole book. Click Here

As a retained recruiter for almost 30 years here are three ways to get recruiters to call you back:

1) Have your resume so compelling that it stands out from all the rest. This is your marketing brochure. It must be succinct, highlight your accomplishments, be well organized, no errors ( I know most of you just thought “DUH.” Well rethink it, over half the resumes/cover letters we receive have errors) and the reader must be able to get all this in about 20 seconds. If this doesn’t happen, your resume is just one of 500+ resumes that enter the system. A common misconception is recruiters are seeking qualified candidates. WRONG. We are seeking exceptionally qualified candidates, especially in today’s market. Only the top 10-15%. Companies don’t need recruiters to find qualified candidates, they can do that themselves. Remember, the recruiter is just as interested in filling the search as you are in getting it.

2) Have a referral from someone who has built a relationship with the recruiter. Not just an acquaintance with the recruiter. This could be a former client or candidate. I always return the calls when someone I trust and know refers a person to me. Use tools such as Linkedin or networking groups to find someone who has a relationship with the recruiter.

3) Instead of calling, send an email. Most recruiters are overwhelmed with calls and no matter how hard we try we can’t return them all. I currently have a list of over 40 calls to return. I try and get to a few each day, but regardless of how hard I try the list gets longer. Sending an email makes it easy for recruiters to respond. I can do it late at night, early morning or between calls. I can’t do that with a phone call, especially with folks back east that are three hours ahead of my time zone. It will be 9 or 10 PM for them. I also can’t return a call when I have a couple minutes before my next interview, but I can quickly shoot off an email.

Good recruiters will respond to these techniques. I have recommended these to many of my candidates and networking connections. Most are amazed at the increase in the response rate.

Try these or any one of them and I think you will see your response rate increase with recruiters.

Tags: Job Hunting, Job Search, Job Search eBook, Recruiters

Networking | bradremillard April 29, 2009

About the Author

Brad Remillard is a founding Partner of IMPACT Hiring Solutions, co-author of "You're NOT the Person I Hired", and "This is NOT the Position I Accepted". Brad is an award-winning international speaker, retained executive recruiter, and expert on hiring and retaining top talent, and executive job search.

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2 Comments

By Jeannie, March 26, 2012 @ 5:30 pm

Very interesting article. All I hear is “make your resume stand out.” but nothing about ways to make it stand out. I am trying to find ways to make my resume stand out. Paying $500 to make my resume “stand out” does not seem logical to me.
By bradremillard, April 14, 2012 @ 8:08 am

Jeannie; We offer numerous ways to this in our blog and our free audio downloads. Take a few minutes and read some of the articles on resumes. Then go to the free section on our website and download some of the audio files on resumes. We also have them as podcasts. You don’t have too look that far to find how to do this.

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