What’s the Best Way to Get Noticed by Recruiters?

If there’s something you’ve always wanted to know about getting hired, but weren’t sure where to look, then fear not. Our brand new panel of experts have an abundance of tips for candidates to share with you.

There isn’t much these lot don’t know about getting your foot through the door at your future place of work and this week it’s all about getting yourself noticed by the people who matter i.e your future employers.

Kerri-Ann Hargreaves

By being honest and communicating throughout the process. By being responsive and open to discussion. It really is good to talk. Being clear on what it is you are looking for is a great way to stand out to a recruiter. As is having an up to date CV that is detailed and thorough. Make sure your CV and covering letter clearly show how your experience makes you an obvious fit. Don’t leave anything to chance.

Kerri-Ann Hargreaves,  Director, H2 Consultancy.

Jeff Berger

Make sure your job-application materials ‒ your resume and cover letter ‒ are written with your target audience in mind. In many ways, finding a new job is a marketing exercise. As a job seeker, you’re expected to pitch your candidacy to prospective employers. Be certain to tailor your CV and cover letter based on the specific job advert and its requirements. Don’t make recruiters guess; clearly spell out your qualifications for the position ‒ this is, by far, the best way to attract their attention.

Jeff Berger, CEO and Founder, Talent Inc.

Lysha Holmes

Ensure your social media presence is the best it can be- on LinkedIn, choose a suitable and happy photo (no booze or naked torsos!) and ensure your title line is appropriate for your captive audience. Get your endorsements up to date and try and aim to get them from clients, candidates and advocates as oppose to colleagues.

Join relevant groups and forums- make sure your comments are factual and engaging rather than controversial!

Lysha Holmes, Recruiter of Recruiters, Qui Recruitment.

Paul Wolfe

There are a few tactics that I recommend candidates utilize when drafting their resumes in a way that will attract recruiters and hiring managers.

1. 1. Numbers and data are a great way to bring your work experience to life, and they help hiring managers imagine the potential you would bring to the company. When possible, quantify your accomplishments to show your level of impact in your current and/or previous role.
   2. Keep your resume brief and to-the-point to help recruiters understand your level of experience quickly.

Paul Wolfe, Indeed Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources.

Rebecca Fraser

Networking, both online and offline and building your brand prescence is still one of the best ways to be noticed. You are best to build a brand that resonates with the expertise you are seeking to get recognised by, and the tailored towards the needs of the industry (and the future needs of the industry) that you are interested in working with.

Rebecca Fraser, Digital Experience and Learning Manager.

Ben Martinez

Be authentic and not overly “salesy” about your background. When you connect with them, connect on a personal level before going straight into a pitch about yourself and pushing them into getting you hired.

Ben Martinez, Principal Founder, Ramp Talent.

Jo Cresswell

When initially getting in touch with a recruiter with your CV, be sure to choose your keywords deliberately. Recruiters may use computer software to scan CVs before they make their way to human eyes. Therefore, look carefully through the job description of the role you’re applying to and ensure that relevant keywords are in your CV. For this same reason, it’s important not to treat your CV as a one-size-fits-all. Make sure you tailor your CV for any job you’re applying to. Once in contact, make sure you connect with them on LinkedIn so that they can see any updates you post and keep you in mind for roles.

Jo Cresswell, Corporate Communications Manager, Glassdoor.

Darain Faraz

Making sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date is a good place to start. Including a short summary of your background and highlighting your key skills will help recruiters to search for you on the site. Using Open Candidates you can also privately signal to recruiters that you are open to new opportunities.

Members on LinkedIn with profile photos are over 20 times more likely to receive profile views, so a quick win could be as simple as adding a clear, up-to-date photograph of yourself. 36% of recruiters use skills information to find candidates, whilst 30% of recruiters will also look at your current company and location to match to a potential employer, so keeping these up to date will help you to land relevant opportunities.

You should treat your LinkedIn profile as an online portfolio – somewhere that recruiters and potential employers can access your entire back-log of work in one place.

Darain Faraz, Careers Expert, LinkedIn.

Allan Leung

I’ve seen some creative ways such as mailing a USB with the resume inside or sending over a cake. However, many openings tend to be filled through networking and referrals. If you’re able to connect with someone who can connect you to the appropriate recruiter, that will increase your chances of getting noticed.

Allan Leung, Lead Talent Acquisition Advisor, HCSS.

Chris Murdock

Make sure you have a detailed LinkedIn profile and ensure that it is set to public. Recruiters, tools, and AI search engines will search for keywords within your profile.

Chris Murdock is Senior Partner and Co-Founder at IQTalent Partners