Tips on How to Recruit a Headhunter

How to Recruit a HeadhunterHas your job search been an especially difficult one? If so, then it’s probably time to get on a recruiter’s radar.

Here are some tips to consider:

Work with recruiters that work in the same field. Make sure the recruiter you choose has the same skill set and that you work in the same industry. This will help you gain traction, as recruiters prefer hiring people that specialize in the same aspect of the marketplace.

Always go for an open and transparent relationship. Whenever a client is looking for a new employee, a recruiter will always take the time for a careful interview. Expect recruiters to know your skill sets and ask several questions about what will help you move forward in your career.

During and after an interview, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Here are some questions you may want to ask the recruiter:

  • What opening is your firm currently working to fill?
  • Have you placed candidates with your background and experience level?
  • How much time do you think you need to place me?
  • Do you mind if I work with another recruiter?

Get yourself out there. Make yourself findable; it willhelp you understand how headhunters hunt. Feel free to reach out to recruiters to increase the odds that your name gets on their list of candidates. (Note: make sure you don’t submit more than one resume to the same company.)

Perhaps you can give a recruiter a call — doing so can show how motivated you are. Don’t forget to update and polish your LinkedIn profile since recruiters are constantly searching for good profiles. And always make it a point to check your InMail messages.

Create an awesome resume. Keep in mind that your resume is your key to opportunities, so make sure to hand in a resume that’s a standout.

Draft a clear and concise resume (about one page; two if you have lengthy experience). Recruiters have limited amounts of time, and a focused resume can help them help you faster. If your resume is too long at a later stage in the recruitment process, expect recruiters to help pare down your resume before handing it in.

Gone are the days when you could use a single resume and submit it to multiple companies at once. Each resume today has to be fashioned according to the position and the company.

Deal with your red flags up front. Applicants with significant gaps in employment should take advantage of the current candidate shortage and get back in the hunt. Many employers are starting to re-evaluate applicants’ resumes and are foregoing some of their previous hesitation over longer stretches of unemployment. Feel free to explain why you haven’t been working — a clear and honest answer can work in your favor.

These tips can make a big difference in your career advancement. Building bridges to recruiters is a great opportunity to expand and build your network.

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Alan Carniol

Alan is the creator of Interview Success Formula, a training program that has helped more than 80,000 job seekers to ace their interviews and land the jobs they deserve. Interviewers love asking curveball questions to weed out job seekers. But the truth is, most of these questions are asking about a few key areas. Learn more about how to outsmart tough interviewers by watching this video.