Whenever I speak at an event about job search, I always recommend creating a list of target companies and then connecting with recruiters directly on LinkedIn. It can be a great way to get noticed and even hear about opportunities before they become advertised. But only if you do it right. Related: 3 Ways To Get Noticed By Recruiters On LinkedIn Almost on a daily basis, I get messages and resumes from candidates who haven’t bothered looking at my LinkedIn profile. If they did, they’d not ask me to help them find a job in the textile or automobile industries or ask me about job opportunities in UAE! These examples are just from this week. Then there are those who send blank emails to 20 recruiters without doing any research. This is the quickest way for your email to get deleted.

4 Tips When Connecting With A Recruiter On LinkedIn

Here are some tips on how to connect with recruiters on LinkedIn:

1. Treat them like any networking contact.

Would you pick up the phone and start calling strangers, expecting them to find you a job before they know anything about you? I hope you wouldn’t, so the same rule applies here. Try to find a few recruiters in your area of expertise and build some rapport first before you ask for help.

2. Have realistic expectations.

While recruiters can be of great help, you need to remember that they are working for the company or clients employing them – not you. Their motivation is to provide the client/employer with a candidate who is the perfect fit for a specific vacancy. You should absolutely expect the recruiter to treat you with respect and to provide you with timely feedback on the status of your application. But don’t treat them as your personal career advisor – there is no way I can remember 50 people who ask me each week to keep them informed of relevant opportunities in the future.

3. Get an introduction or referral to a trusted recruiter from someone in your network.

If possible, try to meet them at a networking or a professional development event, so you can introduce yourself in person.

4. Stay in contact with your recruiter.

… but don’t pester them every few days. The recruiter probably won’t be able to follow up with you as often as you’d like, but keep them updated if your situation changes. Many recruiters including myself, prefer emails over phone calls, so we can manage our days better. If you have a well-established relationship with a recruiter, they are more likely to go above and beyond to help you when you need it. The best way to return the favor is to introduce strong candidates to them or (for agency recruiters) to network them to a new client you know is hiring.   careerealism