Any job seeker knows that the search for your next career move can be difficult, time consuming and even scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Armed with the right tools and expertise you can go into your search with confidence and excitement. One of the best tools in a job seekers kit is learning how to successfully work with recruiters on Linkedin.
We talked with our top recruiters to get the best advice for you, and if you carefully follow these steps you will be making meaningful connections with confidence.
Do your research. Get to know the company, personnel and the opportunities. The more information you gather the better prepared you will be when it comes to draft the perfect message. Research will also help you to ensure you are finding the right person to connect with. Be certain to verify that the recruiter is still active in your industry and location.
You’ve found the best contact, you’ve done your research, now it’s time to check your connections. Secondary connections are one of the most undervalued assets in your job search tool kit. Check to see if there is anyone in your network with connections to the company or specific recruiter. Don’t be afraid to leverage your network and ask for an introduction, or ask permission to use them as a reference.
Time to reach out. Start by connecting with a recruiter over LinkedIn or other social media platforms. This gives them notification of your name and increases the chances of connecting your name and face to a message.
Now you are ready to draft your message. Recruiters receive countless messages -make yours count. Be sure to highlight any specific experience to your role. Keep it short and concise to increase your chances of being read.
Stuck on what to write? Templates are a great resource to get started, but make certain to personalize any message you send. When looking at a specific role identify the top skills and make sure to highlight the specific experience you can bring to support this need. Remember all that research, now is your time to shine and impress the recruiter with your diligence and expertise.
If you are reaching out without a specific role in mind, be clear as to what you’re looking for. Are you making a connection to your dream company in case a future role opens up? Wanting to get more information about the roles or general opportunities? Be precise and straight forward, you don’t want the person on the other end of your message guessing what your intention is.
Some other helpful tips to keep in mind:
DO:
- Keep it short
- Show off your field and skills
- Have a call to action
- Be sincere
DON’T :
- Be generic
- Forget to attach your resume
- Send a long message about yourself
- Be demanding
- Take it personally if you don’t receive a response
As with building any skill, it will get easier over time. To reach out to a recruiter at TAD PGS, check out our Linkedin page, or join our FB Group.
Looking for more job search tips? Check out our Job Seeker Tips