This Is How You Think Like A Recruiter

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What draws a recruiter to a particular candidate instead of you?

Knowing how recruiters’ minds work can help you show them that you’re the exact employee they’re looking for. Unfortunately, most job seekers aren’t mind-readers. But if you look at some new trends in the job market from a recruiter’s perspective, you’ll see how you can get their attention and land the perfect job.

Here are three things on recruiters’ minds and how they can help you as a job seeker:

Employee referrals

Recruiters are quickly learning that the best candidates come from employee referrals. In the 2015 Jobvite Recruiter Nation survey, 78 percent of respondents said they found the highest quality candidates through current employees.

Referrals are so popular there are now multiple apps that are devoted to helping users find their friends jobs. But why do recruiters put so much stock in referrals? Current employees act as a medium who understands both the job seeker and the company. They know what skills their friends possess and what perks their company can offer to make an employee happy. If a current employee feels a job candidate would be a good match for a position, a company can be more confident that the new employee will work out and stick around.  

Reach out to your friends and professional connections to see whose company values employee referrals. Ask them about what it’s like to work in their office and what positions are currently open. Be sure to share your resume with them so they can keep you in mind if they see a position fitting to your skillset.

Talent retention

For many recruiters, their goal isn’t just finding the right person for the job, but also the person that’s going to stay with the job. LinkedIn’s Global Recruiting Trends 2016 report found that 32 percent of companies said employee retention was one of the most important priorities for their organization.

So, if you’re a job seeker looking for advancement, your best chance at a better job might actually be with your current employer. In the LinkedIn report, 76 percent of companies said they recruit internal candidates.

If you love your company, but are unsatisfied with your job or simply want to advance your career, check in with your HR department. Find out what other opportunities are available to you, and ask what what you can do to be considered for those positions.

Company culture

Cultural fit plays a big part in a company’s decision to hire. In a Cubiks survey, 59 percent of respondents said they had not hired a candidate because they felt the applicant was the wrong fit. Recruiters know that job fit is not the only thing that influences a new hire’s success; employees also have to mesh well with the company.

Once you find out about a company’s culture, look at how their values and traits align with you and your personality. Think about what speaks to you about a company and incorporate that connection in your resume, and social media profiles. That way, when a recruiter does look into your skills and experience, they’ll also clearly see how good of a cultural fit you are.

What other recruiting trends can help you in your job search? Share in the comments below!