Whether or not you are currently looking for a new job, developing a relationship with a trusted recruiter is beneficial. You never know when you will need their services in the future, and it is much more productive to go into a search ahead of the game with them by your side. To ensure that you are doing all of the right things to keep in touch with your recruiter, follow these six steps below.

1. Check In Regularly

It’s important to check in with your recruiter on a frequent but reasonable basis. As a general rule of thumb, send your recruiter a quick email once every other week. Although each candidate is essential to a recruiter, recruiters realistically communicate with hundreds of people per week, so giving each person a detailed play-by-play is impossible. A good time to contact a recruiter is when you have news or updates on your job search or want to review new opportunities. Did you learn a new transferable skill? Complete a course or training? Have you made updates to your resume? This type of information is important to a recruiter, so you must inform them about these changes.

2. Keep an Eye on New Openings

Most employers will be posting their jobs online and updating these postings regularly.  A recruiter’s job orders will also change, so you need to keep updated with these postings. If, in your searches, you see a role that you feel you could be qualified for and they haven’t already reached out to you about it, give your recruiter a call first! Time is of the essence when it comes to any open position, and your recruiter will appreciate your diligence.

3. Keep Them Informed

The conversations that you have with your recruiter don’t always have to involve a request or need. You can keep your recruiter updated and informed on your job search status and let them know about what has been happening on your side of things since the last time you spoke. For example, it’s important for recruiters to know whether you have interviewed, made any changes to your resume, or received a raise or promotion. Keeping them in the loop allows them to speak on your behalf clearly and concisely.

4. Ask for Advice

During your job search, there will be times when you will be seeking advice on a variety of things, from resume tips to help with interviews. Your recruiter is a great asset to have and utilize for this type of industry knowledge. They live and breathe staffing and tend to know a whole lot about things, from current market trends to insights about different organizations. A big part of the service that recruiters can provide to their candidates is intelligence to help supplement their job search. Asking for advice is a great way to keep you fresh in their mind and helps build your relationship.

5. Refer Other Qualified People

More often than not, strong, qualified candidates surround themselves with other strong, qualified candidates. If you know someone looking for a job, why not send them in the direction of your recruiter? It is a great way to network and helps you participate in a mutually beneficial relationship. As an additional benefit, several employers also offer generous referral bonus programs for placed candidates!

6. Be Available

While it’s understood that each candidate is different and has a varying schedule, it’s crucial that your recruiter doesn’t have to jump through too many hoops to contact you. Things happen quickly in the staffing world, and you don’t want to miss out on an opportunity because you were unavailable for an extended period of time. Of course, if you miss a call or email from your recruiter, just get back to them immediately and try to get them on the phone.

Keep in Touch.pngDeveloping a relationship with a recruiter demands a little give and take, but if executed correctly, the partnership can last for years. To ensure a seamless process, it’s important to be diligent and ensure they have all the pertinent information they need while respecting their schedule. Recruiters are busy people who will always work hard for you and appreciate those who try to stay in touch.

 

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