What are the best ways to build relationships with recruiters?

Building relationships with recruiters can be a valuable strategy for advancing your career and finding new opportunities. Recruiters can help you access the hidden job market, provide feedback on your resume and interview skills, and connect you with employers who match your goals and values. However, to benefit from these advantages, you need to establish trust, rapport, and mutual respect with recruiters. Here are some of the best ways to do that.

1 Be proactive and responsive

Recruiters appreciate candidates who take initiative and show interest in their services. Reach out to recruiters who specialize in your field or industry, and introduce yourself with a brief and tailored message. Explain what kind of roles you are looking for, what value you can offer, and why you are interested in working with them. Follow up with them regularly, but not too frequently, to keep them updated on your status and availability. Respond to their calls and emails promptly and professionally, and be honest and transparent about your expectations and preferences.

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Dr. Prasanth Nair

Ph.D. in Management ♦ Global Talent Acquisition ♦ Agile & Strategic HR Leader ♦ Performance & Retention Management ♦ HR Transformation ♦ Training & Development
Don't wait until you really need it. Make an effort to connect with recruiters to get to know them and stay on their screen. You should take their questions, wishes and comments seriously. Communication that is on time shows respect and expertise. Share important company news, hiring problems or industry trends to show that you know what you're talking about and are interested.
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2 Be respectful and courteous

Recruiters are busy professionals who have to juggle multiple clients and candidates. They also have to deal with a lot of rejections, delays, and changes in the hiring process. Therefore, it is important to treat them with respect and courtesy, and to appreciate their efforts and time. Be polite and friendly in your communication, and avoid being rude, demanding, or impatient. Thank them for their assistance and feedback, and acknowledge their expertise and advice. Respect their boundaries and preferences, and do not contact them outside of their working hours or through inappropriate channels.

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Dr. Prasanth Nair

Ph.D. in Management ♦ Global Talent Acquisition ♦ Agile & Strategic HR Leader ♦ Performance & Retention Management ♦ HR Transformation ♦ Training & Development
Take note of their knowledge and respect what they have to say. Remember that they are important partners in your efforts to hire good people. Keep a polite and positive tone in all of your writing and spoken communications. Problems should not be your main focus. Watch your tone and don't whine about things that happened in the past.
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3 Be consistent and reliable

Recruiters value candidates who are consistent and reliable in their performance and communication. They want to work with candidates who are serious about their job search, and who deliver on their promises and commitments. Be consistent and reliable in your communication, and do not ghost or ignore recruiters. Keep them informed of any changes or updates in your situation, and do not apply to the same job through multiple recruiters or sources. Be reliable in your performance, and do not cancel or reschedule interviews without a valid reason. Show up on time, prepared, and professional, and follow up with a thank you note.

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Dr. Prasanth Nair

Ph.D. in Management ♦ Global Talent Acquisition ♦ Agile & Strategic HR Leader ♦ Performance & Retention Management ♦ HR Transformation ♦ Training & Development
Make sure you give recruiters correct information, meet deadlines and keep the promises you make with them. If you're not satisfied with a candidate, provide detailed and actionable feedback to the recruiter. They can make better suggestions after reading this. Talk to people freely and honestly about what you need, what you expect and what you want to hear. This makes people trust each other and lets them really work together.
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4 Be open and flexible

Recruiters want to help you find the best fit for your skills and goals, but they also have to consider the needs and expectations of their clients. Therefore, it is important to be open and flexible in your approach and attitude. Be open to new opportunities and challenges, and do not dismiss or reject them without giving them a fair chance. Be flexible in your availability and willingness to adapt to different situations and requirements. Listen to the feedback and suggestions of recruiters, and be willing to learn and improve from them. Be open to building long-term relationships with recruiters, and do not burn bridges or end contacts abruptly.

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Dr. Prasanth Nair

Ph.D. in Management ♦ Global Talent Acquisition ♦ Agile & Strategic HR Leader ♦ Performance & Retention Management ♦ HR Transformation ♦ Training & Development
Maintain an open mind and be willing to investigate various talent pools or recruitment tactics that the recruiter could recommend. Maintain a level of awareness regarding the ever-changing talent landscape and express a willingness to modify your hiring criteria or approach in response to changes in the market. Recognise the value of the recruiter's varied network and give serious consideration to candidates who come from a variety of experiences and backgrounds.
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5 Be respectful and courteous

Recruiters are not only potential sources of opportunities, but also potential allies and advocates for your career. By building strong and positive relationships with them, you can increase your chances of finding your ideal job, and also expand your network and reputation. Therefore, it is important to be respectful and courteous in your interactions with recruiters, and to maintain contact and communication with them. Be respectful and courteous in your communication, and do not spam or harass them. Be respectful and courteous in your feedback, and do not badmouth or criticize them. Be respectful and courteous in your referrals, and do not exploit or misuse them. Be respectful and courteous in your gratitude, and do not forget or ignore them.

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Dr. Prasanth Nair

Ph.D. in Management ♦ Global Talent Acquisition ♦ Agile & Strategic HR Leader ♦ Performance & Retention Management ♦ HR Transformation ♦ Training & Development
Despite the fact that the candidate is not an ideal fit for the position, you should express your appreciation for their support throughout the hiring process. Recognise the importance that the recruiter plays in locating the most qualified candidates for your organisation. In the event that you have a favourable experience, you should recommend the recruiter to other colleagues or companies.
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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Ishita Gupta

IIT Kanpur • NMIMS • Six Sigma Yellow Belt • Content Creator
First of all, it is important to understand that recruiters are also human you have to be humane and compassionate with them. 1. Try to break the ice and build rapport by asking questions about their day, weather, etc. 2. Be proactive in listening 3. Communicate with your verbal as well as non-verbal cues (smile, nod, hand gestures, facial expressions, etc.) 4. Prepare and practice common questions beforehand to be able to ace your interview. 5. Thank them for their time during the interview and after it by sending an email. 6. Lastly, to ensure stronger bonds you can send them a LinkedIn connection request with a personalised message. Hope this helps!!
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What are the best ways to build relationships with recruiters?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Be proactive and responsive

2 Be respectful and courteous

3 Be consistent and reliable

4 Be open and flexible

5 Be respectful and courteous

6 Here’s what else to consider

Business Communications

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What are the best ways to build relationships with recruiters?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Be proactive and responsive

2 Be respectful and courteous

3 Be consistent and reliable

4 Be open and flexible

5 Be respectful and courteous

6 Here’s what else to consider

Business Communications

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