Matthew Warzel Featured in a Yale University Article

Please check out this fantastic article by the Yale University’s Office of Career Strategy I was fortunate enough to be featured in as a contributor – 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘀 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝗻𝗲)?

Recruiters are the connection between job seekers and a company. They help companies fill open roles by finding qualified candidates — people they think have the skills, experience, and ability to do the job well.

If you’re looking for a job, you might come across a recruiter during your search.

So, what exactly does a recruiter do, and how should you talk to one?

We’ll cover:

• What Does a Recruiter Do?
• Types of Recruiters
• How to Talk to a Recruiter

My response?

✔️ How to Talk to a Recruiter & How to Reach Out to a Recruiter on LinkedIn

If you see a recruiter looking to fill a role you’re interested in, you can reach out to them on LinkedIn. In your message, share your interest, experience, and the role you’d like to discuss with them.

It’s best to be “short and sweet,” Matthew Warzel, certified professional resume writer and former Fortune 500 recruiter, says. “They are busy-bodies, usually juggling multiple openings at a time and speaking with tens, sometimes hundreds of candidates each day!”

✔️ How (and When) to Follow Up With a Recruiter

Following up with a recruiter follows similar rules to following up after an interview. Within 24 hours of your conversation, thank them for their time, restate your interest, and ask them if there’s anything else they need from you. If you connected via LinkedIn, you could follow up in a LinkedIn message. If they contacted you via email, email them. For example:

If you don’t hear back, that means you may not be the best fit for that specific role. But that doesn’t mean you need to lose connection with the recruiter.

“If you aren’t a fit for that specific role you’re interviewing with the recruiter for, you may fit a future role,” Warzel says. “Be sure to ping that recruiter every 6-8 weeks.”

While you don’t need to do regimented follow-ups, checking in with the recruiter every few months can help keep you fresh in their mind.

✔️ Recruiters: The Bottom Line

Recruiters are the bridge between companies and job seekers. If you’re looking for a new role, a recruiter might be able to connect you with great opportunities you’re qualified for. You’ll need to effectively show them your skills and experience and honestly share what kind of role you’re looking for.

“Recruiters cannot help you if you are lacking direction,” Warzel advises. “Understand not only the achievements and accomplishments you can bring into the new role, but most importantly, what value do you offer? How can you be the Tylenol to the hiring team’s pains, and how can you make their lives easier? If you are equipped with this knowledge, a [recruiter] interview should be a piece of cake. Remember, they want you to be the right fit.”