Jobhop Jobhop's blog : How to Attract Employers in 10 Easy Steps
Whether you are actively looking for a job or not, it doesn't hurt to have a recruiter on your side.
But, just like money (unfortunately), recruiters don't just grow on trees.
So how do you find them when you need them?
1. Aim to impress in your current job role
If you're thinking of moving on, it can be tempting to ease up a little bit in your current position, especially if you're preoccupied with searching for a new job. Although, if you want to maximise your chances of that new job finding you, taking the opposite approach is probably wise. After all, employers are looking for the best possible candidates for their position and news has a habit of getting around. Be sure that if your name is getting mentioned, it's for the right reasons. You never know who is connected to whom.
2. Put yourself out there
While doing well in your current position is important, you'll need to do more if you really want to ensure that your qualities are brought to the attention of recruiters. There are a few ways to get yourself noticed:
- Get your name in print: If your company produces publications or there is an industry journal related to your field of work, publishing an article can be a great way to get yourself noticed outside of your own company.
- Attend conferences: It could be worth your while to put yourself forward to attend events on behalf of your current company. If you're able to speak there, so much the better, if not, you can definitely network. While you're there to represent your company, you're representing yourself too. Events like this provide valuable opportunities to mix with recruiters and potential future employers.
3. Contact the employer directly
The most proactive thing you're able to do is to contact recruiters or search firms directly and ask them to add you to their database of potential candidates. Approach this situation in the same way that you would look for a job, and take the time to research businesses that you think fit your skills and attributes best.
4. Have a photo of yourself
Your social media profile is the visual representation of your CV, so it should include a photo. People are always more likely to view your profile when you have a photo of yourself, so this is critical. This can play two roles for you: first, it will help your page to stand out in the search results so you're more likely to get noticed. Secondly, the photo demonstrates to the recruiters that it's a good decision to get in touch with you. It would be unreasonable to expect that someone uses the profile regularly if they didn't even upload a profile photo, agree?
Just make sure that your photo doesn't display you as a 'partying' sort of person because you will get noticed by recruiters for the wrong reasons, so the pictures of you from last weekends 'gathering' won't work.
5. Share, share, share
Sharing content is not only helping other people out but a very good way for you to attract employers. Your profile, whether on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, will have a much lower chance of getting noticed if you don't share anything at all (the recruiters might be unsure if social media is a good way to contact you because you're not very active on there). However, if you share content that is relevant to your working area, say, training opportunities, webinars, posts about marketing events, and articles from well-known professionals, the recruiter will see that you are actively involved in the field.
There are many tools that can help you find content that will keep you relevant across social media. You can even set up email alerts for articles with specific keywords and topics. In other words, just stay active and updated!
6. Use keywords to help recruiters find you for the right roles
Welcome to the world of SEO - anticipating what recruiters may search for when looking to fill the role that you want. Make sure that your profile has the keywords in it that you think recruiters will look for when they're searching for candidates. If you're an insurance broker looking to specialise in landlord or commercial insurance, your profile needs to mention those phrases, and any related ones, in as many ways as you can manage. Don't forget to write descriptions for all of your previous roles, as these often contain several important search terms.
7. LinkedIn
The above points are all tried and tested methods that have provided people with effective ways to make their mark for generations. However, the modern business world offers an additional means to this end through social media. LinkedIn is probably the most effective social networking platform when it comes to attracting the attention of recruiters. Here are a few tips to help you get the best out of it:
- Build up your network: LinkedIn limits searches so if an employer is searching for candidates, you might not be found if you don't have any connections in problem. Ensure you connect with colleagues, suppliers, peers and anyone else you meet via your job, even friends and family members where appropriate, to widen your exposure to the recruiters.
- Use keywords effectively: When recruiters use LinkedIn to search for potential candidates, they do so using keywords (for example, those related to location, key skills and job titles). By ensuring that you include the relevant keywords and phrases in your profile, you're able to maximise your chances of showing up in a search. Be careful not to overdo it though, a profile that has clearly been overstuffed with keywords won't impress anyone.
- Write an eye-catching headline & personal statement: The headline is a crucial part of your profile because if it doesn't tell people who you are straight away, no one will click on your profile.
- Don't include anything off-putting: Those words you think you should include like 'enthusiastic', 'perfectionist' and 'creative' - don't. If those words put you off other people's profiles, they'll put off your future boss too. Try and show off your qualities by demonstrating your skills and achievements with evidence, rather than using non-descriptive words with no substance. Also, check your digital footprint elsewhere. There's no point having a professional, sparkling profile only to have something embarrassing pop up on another social media network.
- Get recommendations from managers, colleagues and peers: To increase the credibility of your profile and your statements of achievement, get your colleagues and employers to endorse your skills. Ask relevant contacts, i.e. those you've previously worked with internally or externally and are aware of your abilities, to recommend you. A short recommendation from a colleague or client can reinforce the value of your statements you've made about your achievements.
- Publish relevant articles: By posting to your LinkedIn in a professional manner, you are much more likely to come to the attention of other professionals in your sector. If you've completely some sort of project which gave you a special insight into a specific topic of interest, spend some time writing it up and promoting across your social media profiles. If you're able to establish yourself as a thought leader, you will soon have lots of interest.
Read our more in-depth post here about how to get a job using LinkedIn.
8. Blogging
Blogging is one of the most powerful ways to build your credibility and control your online brand. When people search your name or relevant keywords that lead them to your blog posts, they mark you as tech-savvy and a though leader in your niche area of expertise. Recruiters routinely troll the blogosphere to locate, learn about and check out top talent. If they're already aware of you are are interested in you, your blog becomes a testament to the value that you offer. Good blogging gives an indication of your passions, personal brand, niche expertise, knowledge level, and, of course, your writing skills.
If you don't have the time to invest in your own blog, the next best thing is guest blogging on another blog and keeping up with commenting on other relevant blogs. Look to appropriate sites where you can share your expertise, such as professional associations and trade publications.
9. Pinterest
If you haven't yet discovered the addictive time-suck that is Pinterest, here is the deal: it's a web-based bulletin board where users pin inspiration and beautiful images. Most people use it to pin pictures of interesting home decor, drool-inducing food, and pretty clothes, but we've got a better idea - use Pinterest to attract employers. Here are a few ideas on how to do that:
- Post your CV on an online CV website such as any of the job boards (Indeed, Monster) and then pin the link to that website onto one of your boards on Pinterest.
- If you are in a profession which has a slightly creative element to it, you could post a variety of samples of your work online, and then pin those links to your boards.
- Pin the URL for your blog. This is an effective tool for many bloggers as you could pin every blog post you write on Pinterest in order to generate more traffic to your blog.
- Follow companies you're interested in. Many companies are now creating company Pinterest accounts which promote recent articles about the company as well as job openings, so try and take advantage of these opportunities.
10. Facebook
Facebook is probably the most underutilised platform when it comes to job hunting. While it's true that not many people go on Facebook to look for a job, there are a variety of ways to use it to promote yourself, stand out and get hired.
If you're fed up with traditional tactics, create a Facebook ad aimed at people who work for the best companies in your niche. It could earn you an interview with the company at the top of your list and you may even get the job. Once you try this technique, you'll wonder how you looked for a job without it. It's a proven strategy to get attention at virtually any company, it's repeatable and cheap. Give it a try, and let us know how you get on!
So, there are your ten foolproof ways to attract recruiters: impress, share, use keywords and write a blog. But remember - that's just the beginning! To really get yourself noticed and build trust with recruiters and employers, you've got to play the long game with your social media efforts. Remember that your goal should be to engage with people and build relationships before even mentioning your job search. That's what recruiters do to find the best candidates - so why not turn the tables and do it yourself?
JOIN Jobhop and spread the word.
- Jobs