Executive recruiters are a significant source of employment for executives, and LinkedIn is a mecca for them. They’re busy networking, posting updates, and looking for and evaluating applicants there.
It is only natural to locate, connect with, and network with the appropriate recruiters there when on a job search.
Everything you need to know about getting Recruited on LinkedIn
Recruiting professionals search for candidates by searching the search results or filtering them. Getting found by recruiting companies is no mere coincidence. Your LinkedIn profile can improve searchability for jobs of any interest.
Some recruiters do not use LinkedIn to find candidates. They only use the site to evaluate them after they have been found elsewhere, such as by an application, resume submission, or referral. However, many recruiters actively search LinkedIn for talent. This is especially true if they are looking for hard-to-find skills or experience.
Here’s a typical complaint I hear from executive job seekers:
“I get a lot of the incorrect types of recruiters contacting me on LinkedIn with work that isn’t at all suited to me.”
When used correctly, LinkedIn can be an excellent tool for connecting with the right recruiters who can help you advance your career. Here are some tips to make the most of LinkedIn and connect with the right recruiters:
1. Optimize your profile
Your LinkedIn profile is like your digital resume. It’s important to make sure it is up-to-date, accurate, and reflects your professional brand. Take some time to update your profile regularly, and consider using keywords that recruiters might be searching for.
2. Use LinkedIn’s advanced search features
You can use LinkedIn’s advanced search features to find recruiters who specialize in your industry or function. To do this, go to the Advanced Search page and select “Recruiters” from the “People” drop-down menu. Then, you can enter additional criteria, such as location, keywords, or companies.
3. Connect with recruiters
Once you’ve found some recruiters you’d like to connect with, send them a personalized message. In your message, mention how you found them and why you’re interested in connecting. If you have something in common, such as a mutual connection or shared interest, be sure to mention that as well.
LinkedIn can be a great resource for finding your next career move, but it can also be frustrating when you get bombarded with job opportunities that are not a good fit for you. Wouldn’t it be great if you could increase the number of recruiters reaching out to you with the right opportunities?
What if you could seize the opportunity to contact and connect with the appropriate recruiters that would likely send you suitable jobs?
- Make yourself and your LinkedIn profile a draw for recruiters by adding the keywords that will attract them to you (by carefully constructing them into your profile).
- Check Google for job postings in your area, and search LinkedIn for recruiters in your field. Make a point of staying top-of-mind with them on a regular basis.
You should do both things to attract and interact with other individuals who can assist you in your professional goals.
Keep in mind that when recruiters come across your LinkedIn profile, one of their primary aims is to find these qualities.
- Information that supports your qualifications
- Whether you project professionalism
- A reason NOT to hire you
To entice more of the correct recruiters to join LinkedIn, maintain your profile, and create relevant content on your profile, updates, and other activities.
How To Get the Right Recruiters on LinkedIn To Contact You
Recruiters and other hiring decision-makers at the businesses you’re looking for spend a significant amount of time surfing LinkedIn to find and evaluate applicants. They search using keywords that are relevant to job title, skills, and other characteristics.
To ensure that the correct sort of recruiters see your profile, make sure it contains the keywords that will entice them. When you created your LinkedIn profile, you identified what those terms were.
Unfortunately, you’ll still get contacted by recruiters who aren’t the right fit for you. However, your keyword-rich content will assist attract more of the appropriate recruiters to your profile.
There are two types of keywords:
1. General keywords: These are the terms that will help identify you as a good fit for a particular type of job or company. For example, if you’re an accountant, your general keywords might include “accounting,” “CPA,” and “financial analysis.”
2. Specific keywords: These are the terms that will help identify you as a good fit for a particular job or company. For example, if you’re an accountant who specializes in tax, your specific keywords might include “tax accounting” and “tax planning.”
To find the right keywords to use on your LinkedIn profile, consider using a tool like Google AdWords Keyword Planner. This tool will help you identify which keywords are being used most frequently in job postings.
Once you’ve identified the right keywords, it’s important to use them throughout your profile.
How important are keywords to recruiters?
As a recruiter for large IT firms for 20 years, I’ll let you in on my process.
I’ll start by looking for important keywords and skills in your profile. To do so, I’ll navigate to CTRL+F in my browser and type the most essential words for the position. This is usually between two and four words, focused on the abilities required for the position I’m hiring you for.
If you’re missing the most essential skills for the position, a quick search might save me time and prevent me from having to go through your entire profile if one or two top ones are missing.
What does this mean for you as a job seeker?
Make sure the necessary keywords appear on your profile if you are targeting a certain sort of employment. Take a look at the job descriptions for the jobs you’re applying for, and include as many of those skills and terms as feasible and applicable to you.
The skills showing up near the top of job descriptions, and those mentioned several times, are probably the most important ones, so be sure to use those, if applicable to you.
Recruiters can find you via Skills searches. So be sure your relevant keywords show up in your Skills section.
If you’re actively promoting your brand, area of expertise, and thought leadership by publishing updates and articles, commenting on others’ updates and articles, and participating in LinkedIn Groups, the right sort of recruiters will find you there.
How to Find the Right Recruiters on LinkedIn
Here are three methods for achieving this:
1. Re-connect with executive recruiters you’ve worked with in the past on LinkedIn. Examine whether they’re still active and if they’re still a good fit for you. Send them a short email to reintroduce yourself, including the fact that you’ve previously collaborated.
2. Request recommendations from your network(s).Your nearest network of individuals may be the greatest source for all things job search and career. They’ve probably had similar experiences, which they can provide support and guidance on.
3. Search LinkedIn for executive recruiters
Here’s how to search for recruiters on LinkedIn:
- Look for the LinkedIn search bar at the top of your profile.
- Place your cursor in the search bar, type in “recruiter” and click on “recruiter in People” in the drop-down.
- A second menu appears below the search field. Click on “All Filters”.
- Narrow your search by ticking off filters (Location, etc.)
- Scroll down to “Industry” and tick off “Staffing and Recruiting”.
- Click on “Show results” at the bottom of the page and a list appears.
Send a customized connection request to any potential recruiters. More about that later. You can also ask to be connected to hiring managers.
How to Reach Out on LinkedIn and Introduce Yourself to Recruiters
Recruiters report that they’re open to candidates sending them LinkedIn InMails or direct messages that are relevant to their professional interests. You want recruiters to actually read and respond to your LinkedIn InMails, don’t you? After all, recruiters are busy individuals who may be overwhelmed by unsolicited emails from strangers.
Don’t Send These in Your InMails to Recruiters
Here are some things from the article that may cause recruiters to ignore your InMails and connection request:
- Questions that five minutes of research can answer
- Anything too generic
- Blanket requests for job-search help
- Anything that makes them look up basic info on you
- Anything too long
There are numerous types of recruiters. Understand what they’re about. A corporate recruiter isn’t concerned with finding you a job or assisting you in doing so. Their goal is to fill their clients’ vacancies. It’s not feasible for them to assist you to find employment. If you want more information on our reverse recruitment package where we do help you find a position, please visit our article, The Job Hunt Made Easy: Job Search Services.
The RIGHT Way to Communicate with Recruiting Agencies on LinkedIn
As expected, your initial outreach to recruiters should include a brief explanation of why you’re contacting them.
Here’s what goes into InMails that get the attention they deserve:
- A clear focus, request, or call to action
- Humility
- Personalized messages that are accurate, precise, and tailored to each recipient
- Finesse
How to Contact Recruiters
Here are some message examples, which you can adjust for your own circumstances, in which you should specifically outline your qualifications for the kind(s) of positions you’re seeking:
“Dear << First Name >>,
I hope you are well. I wanted to reach out to you because I work in your industry specialty.
I have 20 years of Management Consulting industry experience within the CEO function and have worked for [xyz company]. With this experience, I believe I may be valuable to you as I understand you conduct searches within this sector.
Some specific trends and developments in my industry that I can share with you include Talent Management and Mapping, Succession Planning, and Human Capital. I also have a network of approximately 100 senior contacts within the industry. I am open to networking should you have a need for an industry source referral in Management Consulting.
I understand you are busy, but feel free to reach out at your convenience or pass my details on to your colleagues as needed.
I am seeking a board seat and would be interested in learning about any of your open board searches where my background and expertise would be a fit.
Areas of expertise include: Human Resource Management
Kind regards,
If you’ve had any dealings with recruiters, you’ve probably received responses from them that they’ll “keep you in mind for any opportunities that would be a good fit for you”.
Don’t leave it there.
Get back in touch with recruiters about once a month, to stay top-of-mind with them. Reiterate briefly your situation and career goal, and let them know you’re still interested in working with them.
It is important to remember that executive recruiters are busy individuals. To increase your chances of getting their attention, make sure your InMails are well-crafted and personalize them for each recipient. Be humble and accurate in your descriptions of yourself, and avoid sending messages that can be answered with a quick Google search. Finally, stay in touch with recruiters on a monthly basis to keep your name fresh in their minds. By following these tips, you will be well on your way to connecting with the right recruiters on LinkedIn.
A Reverse Recruiter, also known as a Job Search Specialist, is someone who helps job seekers in all phases of the recruitment process. They do job search-related activities from the other side of the spectrum, meaning that instead of recruiting for organizations, they search for employment and firms on behalf of people looking for work. This can be a helpful service for those who are struggling to find a job on their own, as Reverse Recruiters have access to resources and networks that the average job seeker may not. In addition, Reverse Recruiters can provide guidance and support throughout the entire job search process, from crafting a strong resume to preparing for interviews. If you are feeling lost in your job search, working with a Reverse Recruiter may be the best next step.
To learn more about our Reverse Recruiting package, please book a complimentary consultation.
