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Best Practices For Communicating With Recruiters During Your Job Search

It’s a fantastic feeling when you’ve found a great position to apply for. The job description perfectly describes you, you’ve got the skills, the experience and it sounds like the ideal role. You’re on the edge of your seat waiting for news and you’re very tempted to pick up the phone and find out what’s going on.

The way you communicate with a recruiter can shape your success in getting the job you want. It can convince a recruiter that you are a great fit for the role and for the company or it can do the opposite. Here are some best practices for you to follow to help you communicate the right way and land the ideal career move.

Be Patient

It can be very difficult waiting for an answer or response and sometimes you won’t even get one, but being patient and not following up too soon is very important. When you’re anxious to get an update, don’t forget that a recruiter is likely working on multiple positions.

Not only that but there may be multiple recruiters discussing the resumes for a single position and this can be a time-consuming process. Waiting at least a few days before contacting a recruiter is therefore highly recommended.

Professional, Not Pushy

If and when you do decide to follow up on your application, remember that the recruiter may not have an answer for you, or may not give you news you want to hear. Remain calm and polite. It’s frustrating to get no news but you don’t want to damage your chances of getting an interview.

Whilst phoning to follow up on a role is definitely a good way to show an interest, doing this more than once in a short space of time will definitely work against you.

The best practice for following up on a role is to wait at least 4 days until after you have applied or after the application period is closed. Make just one initial call and speak to the relevant recruiter. After your conversation, follow up via email if possible to thank them for their time on the phone.

Honesty is the Best Policy

You’ve heard back and its good news! You’ve been selected for interview. The process can start to quicken at this point so it’s very important to be flexible and responsive just like you would hope your recruiter would be. When discussing the logistics of an interview, offer solutions to scheduling issues and other problems that may arise. Showing proactivity won’t go unnoticed.

Being honest and upfront is also key. If you have any concerns about the role, bring it up at this point. Addressing any issues you have beforehand is much better than travelling for an interview only to find out the position won’t work out.

Closer to your interview, try to avoid any potential surprises. If you’re ill or can’t make it to the interview, give as much notice as possible, this will give you the best chance of getting a reorganized interview and keep you in the running.

Don’t forget to also research the company you are interviewing with. It helps you understand why the job and company appeal to you whilst also showing a recruiter and interviewer that you are serious about the role.

The Best Fit

Whether it’s the Recruiter or a Manager interviewing you, the way you communicate in your interview is the most important factor in getting the job offer. Answer questions to the fullest of your ability with as much relevant detail as possible. Make eye contact, smile and ask questions. Communicating your desire for the job is sometimes very difficult, but doing so can convince a Recruiter or Manager to hire you.

Once the interview is over, be sure to thank your interviewers for their time. Then, shortly after you’ve left, send a follow up email thanking your Recruiter and ask any follow up questions you may have forgotten to ask.

It’s once again time to play the waiting game. If you know when the interviews were due to finish, it’s appropriate to follow up two days after this. If you aren’t aware then two days after your interview is also acceptable.

Success through Communication

The job is yours and you’re delighted! If you’re entering into a negotiation phase at this point, it’s good to once again be as honest as possible. You don’t want to start a new job on unhappy terms. If you need time to think about an offer let a recruiter know when they can expect to hear back from you. Equally, ask for dates when you might expect to hear from your recruiter if you need further information.

Through carefully thought out communication with a recruiter, you can increase your chances of getting hired for a position. Communication is a two-way street but lead by example and you can put yourself ahead of the competition in the search for your dream role.

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