𝗤: “Where do I even find recruiters? ... Is it OK to reach out on LinkedIn before an interview?”
These were two great questions that came up during last week’s #LinkedInLive with Robynn Storey (*if you missed the event, check the comments for a link to watch the recording)
So let’s talk about 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 for a moment. Because while only about 𝟭𝟬-𝟭𝟱% of hires come through recruiters, they often know about the jobs you 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 see posted.
That makes them a 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 part of your job-search toolkit ... IF you know how to approach the relationship.
➡️ 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺
Start with LinkedIn, using keywords like “recruiter,” "recruitment," “headhunter,” or “talent acquisition” + your industry or location.
Google terms like "recruitment agency" or "executive search firm" and combine it with keywords related to your role, industry or location (e.g., "Atlanta recruitment agencies," "SaaS sales jobs staffing firms," "PA jobs employment agency Waltham, MA")
𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗽: Join LinkedIn groups tied to your field. Many recruiters hang out in those spaces.
You can also check out:
• https://lnkd.in/eFmnCXdW (iRecruit directory)
• https://lnkd.in/enAkw2mT (Forbes annual list)
• https://lnkd.in/eaUNCbC6 (People Managing People list)
➡️ 𝗗𝗼’𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁
✅ 𝗗𝗢 ...
• Send a brief, polite message when you connect (don’t just click “Connect”)
• Mention how you found them and what kind of roles you're targeting
• Follow up after you’ve had a phone screen (that’s a good time to connect on LI)
⛔ 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 ...
• Spam their inbox or apply to roles you’re not qualified for
• Expect them to “find you a job” (remember: they work for the employer, not you)
If you’re helpful, respectful, and professional, you’ll stay on their radar, even if they don’t have a match for you right now.
Have more questions about working with recruiters? Drop them below.
Better yet, 𝗶𝗳 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿 and want to share your tips for job seekers, please drop them below ⬇️
#jobsearchtips #recruiters #jobsearchstrategy #careeradvice #gethirednow #linkedinlive #networkingtips
*images below courtesy of Toggl (see link in the comments below)