A Job Seeker’s Guide to Navigating Recruiters

In today's competitive job market, recruiting has become an integral part of the hiring process for companies across industries. Gone are the days when the Human Resources (HR) department solely handles recruitment; now, a majority of companies employ in-house recruiters dedicated to finding top talent. But WHAT exactly does a recruiter DO and how does their role IMPACT job seekers?

Recruiters play a vital role in the hiring process, acting as intermediaries between candidates and hiring managers. Their responsibilities include sourcing and screening candidates, conducting interviews, and presenting qualified candidates to hiring managers for consideration. Recruiters also serve as brand ambassadors for their companies, providing candidates with insights into the organization's culture, values, and career opportunities.

However, the prevalence of in-house recruiters poses an additional challenge for job seekers … getting past the recruiter to secure an interview with the hiring manager. While recruiters strive to identify the best candidates for open positions, they also serve as gatekeepers, filtering out applicants who may not meet the job requirements or cultural fit criteria. This is a much debated topic, and so many people have their own opinions. I have been a job seeker, so I appreciate the tediousness of submitting applications these days.  However, here are some inside secrets that might help you understand the process and possibly help you move through to the interview stage. So, how can job seekers impress recruiters and increase their chances of progressing to the interview stage? Here are some tips:

1.  DO NOT Tailor Your Resume: It is not practical to tailor your resume to every job.  The application process has become burdensome, and you will get frustrated by changing your resume every single time. I am all about efficiency and being straightforward.  Here’s a secret - recruiters very quickly browse over your resume.  They are looking for short, sweet, and to the point.  I would be willing to bet that a recruiter spends about 30 seconds reviewing your resume.  They are just looking for keywords.  Follow the KISS (Keep It Simply Streamlined) method with your resume and highlight key skills, experiences, and achievements.  It is a given that there will always be some training needed whenever anyone is hired into a new job so don’t be afraid of keeping it short and direct. Recruiters are responsible for understanding a wide range of job functions, so you don’t have to provide a paragraph of job duties for each position you hold.  Use keywords and phrases that give a brief idea of the specifics or nuances of each position.  If you have any accomplishments that you want to put in there, feel free but keep them light.  Here’s an example:

Customer Service Representative

• Responded to customer inquiries via phone, email, and live chat in a timely and professional manner, exceeding company standards for responsiveness.

• Developed a deep understanding of products and services to effectively assist customers with product recommendations, troubleshooting, and order processing.

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to improve processes and enhance the overall customer experience.

Key Accomplishments

• Resolved customer complaints and escalated issues to appropriate departments when necessary, consistently achieving a resolution rate of over 90%.

• Recognized for outstanding performance with multiple "Employee of the Month" awards based on customer feedback and performance metrics.

This is a short and simple explanation of the job and highlights some of your key accomplishments.  Everyone has a basic understanding of what a customer service representative does, so there is no need to explain that you responded to customer’s inquiries and questions … that’s already understood.  However, the first bullet point tells the recruiter that you have experience with customer service using different platforms, such as phone, email, and live chat.  Those may be the keywords they are looking for.  Again, the KISS method!

2.  Network Strategically: Leverage your professional network to connect with recruiters and hiring managers in your field. Attend industry events, join online networking groups, and reach out to connections for informational interviews. Building relationships with recruiters can help you stand out from the crowd.  Unfortunately, the saying “It’s not what you know but who you know” is sometimes true when it comes to job seeking.  Reach out to friends, family, colleagues, and even acquaintances.  Any kind of “in” with a company can help.  

3.  Prepare for Interviews: Remember when I said recruiters can sometimes be gatekeepers?  Well, recruiters are responsible for the first round of interviews to determine what kind of worker you are, what your specific skills are and whether your experience listed on the resume is actually true, what you're looking for in a position/team/manager, and if you would be a generally good fit for the position.  To ace this first interview, research the company, its culture, and the role you're applying for before your interview. Practice common interview questions (do a quick Google search) and be ready to discuss your experiences and accomplishments in detail. Show enthusiasm, confidence, and a genuine interest in the opportunity.  Be professional but easy to talk to.  These interviews with the recruiters are typically scheduled for 20-30 minutes, so be prepared to have energy and enthusiasm right out of the gate.

4.  Follow Up Appropriately: After your interview, remember to send a thank-you email to the recruiter to express your appreciation for their time and reiterate your interest in the position. Keep the lines of communication open and be responsive to any follow-up inquiries or requests for additional information. 

Remember, impressing the recruiter is just the first step towards landing your dream job. Keep your energy high and stay proactive, persistent, and focused on showcasing your value as a candidate. Doing some of these things will hopefully have a positive influence on the recruiter, which will increase your chances of securing that coveted interview with the hiring manager. 

Good Luck my Job Seeking Friends!