The job search process is complex and requires engaging with several key stakeholders. Recruiters are a good example of this and play a valuable role in helping you research and secure a great job. Understanding how and why to reach out to a recruiter is critical to accessing their support during the process. In this article, we explain how to effectively reach out to a recruiter, why you should, including recruiter outreach examples.

What is a recruiter?

An employment recruiter is a business professional who works on behalf of organizations to attract and process prospective employees. Their objective is to find the most highly-qualified candidates to fill the company’s open positions. Recruiters may work for a specific company or for a recruiting agency that supports hiring across multiple organizations.

Among other avenues, they recruit candidates through job fairs, online search engines and networking events. Serving as a liaison between the organization and the prospective employee, recruiters often conduct screening interviews to assess fit before connecting the candidate with the employer directly.

When to reach out to a recruiter

Although employed by organizations, recruiters offer tremendous benefits to job seekers as well. They share information about job openings, conduct screening or in-depth interviews and in some cases, make job offers. They can also save you time during a job search by offering information that you would otherwise obtain through extensive research.

Additionally, recruiters have access to inside information about job openings and the hiring company that is not always publicly available. For example, while speaking to a recruiter about a posted job, they may suggest you consider another opportunity that is not posted yet.

How to contact a recruiter

Being thoughtful and strategic about reaching out to a recruiter is critical to your success in the job search process. This includes both the contents of your communication and approach to outreach. Here are four helpful steps to support your success when reaching out to a recruiter:

1. Be specific.

2. Show evidence of research.

3. Keep it simple.

4. Respect the relationship.

1. Be specific

Recruiters—especially those working for agencies—manage multiple listings and organizations at any given time. As a result, their time for reading candidate inquiries is limited. Being specific in your communication increases your likelihood of receiving a response and ensures that your exchange is targeted and productive. Effective inquiries could include a request for information about a hiring timeline, confirmation of a submitted application or to be connected to someone on the hiring team. These inquiries provide a specific point of entry, as opposed to a generic inquiry regarding job opportunities.

2. Show evidence of research

While recruiters may be able to share information not otherwise available, demonstrating evidence that you did your research before reaching out is important. This demonstrates your dedication to the job search and inspires confidence that your goals and experiences are aligned to the job(s) you inquire about.

Related: The Essentials Job Search Guide

3. Keep it simple

Recruiters are typically busy people who want to engage with prospective employees in a straightforward, concise way. Your initial communication should be clear and simple, saving extensive details about yourself and your work history for a subsequent communication or screening interview. It should clearly indicate the purpose of your outreach without including a long list of specific questions or requests for support. The ideal initial outreach culminates with a yes or no question, making it easy for a recruiter to respond in a timely manner.

4. Respect the relationship

While there to help, recruiters should be approached with the same level of respect as prospective employers. This means using courteous language, keeping requests reasonable, accommodating their schedule and deferring to their expertise. Things to avoid include casual language, sending correspondences without proofreading, following up multiple times or expressing frustration with the process.

It is helpful to remember that this individual is in close communication with the hiring manager, if not doing the hiring themselves, so making a positive first impression is key. Your interactions also preview the communication and interpersonal skills they could expect if you were hired.