Employed, experienced, new grad or entry level, if you’re looking for other job opportunities, making a connection with a recruiter who specializes in your industry is a great move. Reaching out to recruiting agencies is relatively simple, but you also want to aim to impress recruiters without having to spend too much time researching and applying. Be visible and active, and the best recruiters will find you.
To increase your likelihood of being discovered by a recruiter, incorporate the following into your job search:
- Be active on LinkedIn and Twitter. Recruiters frequent both social networking platforms to post positions and hunt potential candidates. Enhance your LinkedIn profile with keywords that relate to your industry, skill set, and expertise; search Twitter by using hash tags such as #jobs, #careers, or #hiring.
- Connect and get referred. By networking with professionals from other companies at various events, you are building a foundation of your own; those who may be a helpful source later on down the road, or that you may be a helpful source for – could very possibly be your link to the next big thing career-wise. Professionals know the top recruiters, and if they get wind of an opportunity that they know you would be a good fit for, they just might recommend you. Also, if you are able to provide a referral’s name when contacting a recruiter, you just might get in the door a little quicker.
- Rock your current position and make an impact in your field. Just because you’re considering other options doesn’t mean you should lay low at your current place of employment. Work hard, stand out and you’ll be noticed by the right people.
- Focus on keywords. Boost search quality by updating your LinkedIn profile and online resumes (Monster, etc.) with keywords that are specific to your expertise and industry, and highlight your strongest skills.