The Right Way to Network With a Recruiter

The Right Way to Network With a RecruiterThe Right Way to Network With a Recruiter Tired of applying to jobs, but getting nowhere? According to career experts , it may be because youre not going out of your way to network. But if youre dreading the thought of going to another industry meet-and-greet or grabbing coffee with your former coworker, you can relax - networking can be much simpler than that. In fact, you dont even necessarily have to leave home. A gesture as small as shooting over an schmelzglas or LinkedIn message to a recruiter can end up making a big difference.Of course, if you want to make the best impression possible, you cant just say the first thing that comes to mind - youll have to be a little more strategic. To learn more about the dos and donts of reaching out to recruiters, we chatted with three career experts. Heres their advice for sending a message that puts your resume to the top of the pile.You might be wondering Why exactly is reaching out to a recruiter so beneficial?The most important thing youre trying to do in reaching out to a company recruiter is getting them to like you and consider you further for the stelle, says April Klimkiewicz, career coach and owner of bliss evolution . You may also have questions and want to gather information, but that should be secondary to being polite, kind, enthusiastic about the position and respectful of the recruiters time - these are all guaranteed ways to get on a recruiters good side. And when you establish a personal connection with a recruiter, it can do wonders to help you stand out among the dozens, hundreds or even thousands of other applicants all vying for the same job.It might feel a little strange to reach out to a recruiter at first, but you shouldnt be shy. Really, youre doing them a favor.If youre nervous about reaching out, think of yourself as assisting the recruiter in doing their job. If youre a great candidate, you might be just the right person theyr e looking for, and you reaching out can help you stand out from other applicants and help the recruiter get the position filled sooner, Klimkiewicz points out.So when exactly should you reach out to a recruiter?The best approach is to research the companys open positions on their website, apply to said positions and then contact the recruiter with details pertaining to your experience and the specific job opening that is of interest to you, says Jamie Warfield, Career Specialist at Ama la Vida . But if you do not have a specific position in mind, it is perfectly fine to brag about yourself a little bit and let the recruiter know you are a rockstar candidate in the job market and actively job seeking.Remember, though, to think about things from a recruiters perspective. Rather than focusing on doing whats most valuable for you, put yourself in the recruiters shoes to figure out what would be most valuable for them .You want to make them feel that you are filling a need they have, not just sending an unsolicited resume, says career coach Mary Warriner.For example, you shouldnt reach out regarding a position youre totally unqualified for, or bug a recruiter by calling their cell.Starting with an email or LinkedIn message and escalating to a phone call if you dont hear from the recruiter can be seen as pushy, Klimkiewicz says.Sending an email regurgitating the information already found within your job application can also be frustrating for recruiters since it adds nothing new to the conversation.A follow-up email shouldnt be a copy and paste of your cover letter . Let the recruiter know that youve done your homework and you know something about the company, the job and maybe even the recruiter themselves, Klimkiewicz continues.Having trouble thinking of what exactly to say? Warriner suggests using this message as a template, customizing the different areas as appropriateI just applied to the XYZ position posted on your website and wanted to be sure you r eceived it. I am very interested in working for Company Name, as I have 10 years of manufacturing management experience. I am just starting a search for a new company as I am moving back to the Chicago area next month and Company Name is the first that Ive looked at. This position aligns with my previous experience, but Im also impressed with Company Names drive to innovate and give back to the community .I will be traveling to Chicago several times over the next month and would be happy coordinate my trips to accommodate an interview with you.I dont want to take up any more of your time, as I can see from the job listings that you are very busy, but Im really excited about this opportunity and look forward to speaking with you. If there is anything you need from me, dont hesitate to reach out 555-555-0000.The worst that can happen is that the recruiter doesnt respond - and in the best case, theyll appreciate your thoughtful musiknote and enthusiasm for the opportunity. So really, what have you got to lose? Go out there and network