How to Woo a Recruiter and Land Your Dream Job

Struggling to find your significant other the perfect Valentine’s Day gift? If I may make a suggestion: court a recruiter. Stop scratching your head and let me explain.

Work-related stress is a leading cause of relationship arguments. While landing your dream job won’t solve all your relationship problems, it will give you and your significant other one less thing to fight about, and will likely improve your relationship as a result. So do yourself and your loved one a favor this Valentine’s Day: court a recruiter!

So how do you do it? For insight from the trenches, we turned to popular recruiting site Recruitingblogs.com and asked recruiters, “What should job seekers do to attract you?” Here’s what they had to say:

Prepare for the relationship. ProfessionalExec Recruiters founder and CEO Nick Lagos says, “Don’t wait until you need a job to present yourself as an ‘A’ player. Establish a digital footprint and maintain it at all times.” Eric Foutch, digital media manager at Red Branch Media, says, “Recruiters spend a lot of time on LinkedIn looking for high performers. The best way to become a top performer is to connect with people in your industry, show your knowledge by sharing relevant information and start thought-provoking conversations in groups.”
Do your homework. “Take the time to learn about the company we’re working for,” says Jim Wahl, ReachLocal’s manager of talent acquisition operations. “It’s very helpful when someone contacts me about a specific position, rather than saying ‘please take a look at my CV and let me know if I’m a good fit for any position in your company.’
Shoot straight. “I’m amazed at all the well-intentioned advice given to job seekers about ‘tips and tricks’ when honest communication is usually all that’s needed,” says Leute Management Services CEO Tom Bolt. “If I ask you a question, give me a straight answer. Don’t say what you think I want to hear, and don’t withhold information you know I’ll need to represent you. I can’t be your advocate if I can’t trust you.”
Emphasize your compatibility. “1. Really read the job description and communicate why you’re a good fit based on the needs highlighted, both in communications with the recruiter and in your resume. 2. Learn about the company first — discuss why you’re interested, about what inspired you to apply and you certainly know the company’s business and how you can help. 3. Be passionate about the opportunity and make an effort to show that this is not just ‘another job,’ but a desired career choice,” says Ed Nathanson, senior director of global talent acquisition at Rapid7.

Share your story. Apple Senior Technical Recruiter John Turnberg says, “As a job seeker, think of your work history as a book. What is the story it is telling and why is it compelling? Your cover letter, InMail or email can be seen as the back cover summary, creating a need or desire to learn more.” Nicole Greenberg Strecker, managing director of STA USA, says, “An engaging note with a bit of a story makes me want to pass on the information to you, even if I can’t help you myself. Many recruiters receive countless login requests every day. Send a personal message and make yourself more than just another avatar.”
call me “Recruiters go through so many applications a day, but it still amazes me how few candidates actually pick up the phone to follow up and sell themselves,” says Harvey Alexander, director of recruiting and talent, Matthew Harvey. “Follow up your request with a timely phone call a few days later. You might be surprised by the answer.”
But he didn’t look too desperate. “Demonstrate that you know the difference between responsible tracking and stalking,” says Crystal Miller, digital strategist for AT&T’s HR and recruiting teams. “Yes, I want to hear from you, but not every day.”

And above all, be confident. “Be confident,” says Maren Hogan, head of marketing for Red Branch Media. “Prove yourself not just with your skills and what’s listed on your resume and cover letter, but also with your email skills, a phone call where you display phone etiquette and assertive confidence. Every connection you have with the company MUST prove that there is a reason why I should hire you.”
So here it is. Admire a recruiter on Valentine’s Day, land your dream job and live happily ever after. If all else fails, you can’t go wrong with a box of chocolates, tickets to a game, or long-stemmed red roses.