How to Stay on a Recruiter's Radar

Knowing how to stay on a recruiter's radar can move you to the front of the job-search pack.

Connecting and staying in touch with a qualified recruiter can be a big help to your job search, especially as remote work and industry shifts continue to influence hiring trends. Keep in mind, though, that very good recruiters are juggling a high volume of candidates and job opportunities, so knowing how to stay in touch with a recruiter can help you stand out from the crowd.

As a result, building a relationship from day one is invaluable when staying on recruiters' minds. Holding a recruiter's attention means they're more likely to reach out to you before other candidates about job possibilities – and that can make all the difference.

When you follow a set of best practices to stay on a recruiter's radar, you'll win the day – here's how to do it.

Have the right keywords on your resume

Recruiters rely heavily on applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter candidates, so having the right keywords in your resume is essential for staying in touch with a recruiter. Begin by dissecting the job descriptions for positions you're interested in to see what companies need. Then, update your resume with specific phrases you find so that your resume gets past the ATS, and the recruiters will take notice of you and what you have to offer their client companies.

Share information or news

Share important or interesting information you discover about a company's business market and the industry in general, including statistics, a new study, or a trade journal article. If they already know about it, you'll still come across as interested in their success even when you aren't working there – yet.

If you've built a relationship with a recruiter and know some of their personal likes or hobbies, you can use that knowledge to stay in touch with a recruiter. Share non-work-related material you know the person might enjoy. This can be anything from a unique cooking gadget you found online to a great place for pet supplies. Whatever you share, always do so in a professional manner.

Finally, you can reach out to let the recruiter know of any changes in your professional status, from completing a course, training a new skill, or receiving a certification.

Offer relevant ideas

To start, follow the company's social media sites, checking their website regularly for updates so you can share ideas or data the company would find relevant.

Sharing ideas with a recruiter can set you apart. For example, suggesting ways a company can cut costs or improve efficiency could be a great way to get noticed. It also shows that you understand the company's needs and are serious about contributing value in a potential role.

Send qualified candidates

Recruiters are always on the lookout for top talent! So a great way to stay in touch with a recruiter is to refer someone to them – that will definitely get their attention. If you come across someone in your network who would be a great fit for a role the recruiter is hiring for, refer them. It will reflect well on you and help build goodwill that will keep you on the recruiter's radar.

The recruiter will come to think of you as a selfless collaborator and a valuable hiring resource. It's also likely that the recruiter will contact you to say thanks, giving you another opportunity to touch base.

Just be sure that the candidates you send are well-qualified for the role; otherwise, this gesture will not create the results you would hope for.

Request advice

This is probably the most unobtrusive way of staying in touch with a recruiter while also getting the benefit of their knowledge and experience.

It's perfectly acceptable to tell a recruiter you've been looking over your resume; don't be afraid to ask about reworking certain areas of your resume or strategies for an upcoming interview. Getting you hired benefits the recruiter as much as it benefits you, and helping you is part of the service they offer.

Reach out about new openings you see

Check the company's hiring site regularly for new job postings. When you find a position that you feel qualified for but haven't yet heard about from the company, reach out to the recruiter.

If you are a good fit for the role, the recruiter will appreciate your message, making it known so the position can be filled. If you're not quite right for the job, you've still connected and perhaps have gotten the recruiter to look at you in a fresh light.

This shows you're proactive – a highly-regarded soft skill.

Write a thank-you note

This is always a good strategy for standing out from the crowd. However, to really make yourself memorable, send a handwritten note rather than an email or e-card when you follow up after an interaction.

Taking the time to write a personal note after a meaningful interaction with a recruiter shows sincerity and reinforces your professional brand.

Be professional and positive

When a recruiter thinks of you, it's best if they remember that you're someone they like to connect with. You want them to see you as professional, considerate, enthusiastic, and collaborative so that they call you first to discuss a job opening and that they have confidence in sending you in for an interview. Excellent interpersonal skills will keep you popping up again and again in a recruiter's memory.

While it does take some effort to stay on a recruiter's radar, eventually landing the job you want will be well worth it.

One way to grab recruiters' attention? An impressive resume. Our resume writers can help.

This article was originally written by Lisa Tynan. It's been updated by Marsha Hebert.