Recruiters are a valuable part of the employment landscape, and many companies employ them to help seek out qualified candidates to fill open positions. If you’re on the job hunt, it pays to know what recruiters look for and how to communicate with them effectively. If you’re currently seeking behavioral health careers, call [Direct] or send a message online. The knowledgeable staff at Behavioral Health Jobs is standing by to assist you. Remember to check out our job listings pages to find great behavioral healthcare opportunities in your area as well.
What Recruiters Look For in Job Candidates
Whether you’ve already received lots of messages from recruiters or are hoping to increase your odds of productive contacts, consider the following list of qualities they tend to seek in candidates:
- A polished application package and profile: Do spend the time tailoring your resume and cover letter for each application, demonstrating why you’re passionate about each role and company. Employers frequently use keyword-sensitive applicant tracking software, so improve your odds by including job descriptions’ precise wording. Similarly, do carefully edit your online professional profiles and/or ask someone else to read them over before publishing and pursuing jobs. Slipups like spelling and grammar errors can make a real difference to recruiters processing candidates at high volume.
- Communication: Most jobs, regardless of field, actually include some version of “great communicator” in their description, so it’s wise to make an effort in this area. All messages or phone calls with a recruiter should be handled professionally. If interviews are tough for you, you can improve your skills by practicing responses to common questions with a friend before formal engagements.
- Continuity: A career narrative that shows dedication and tenacity can impress recruiters. While career jumps are increasingly common, especially for younger generations, having at least one or two positions where you spent 2+ years can boost your credibility. Likewise, any career gaps on your resume should be brief but clearly explained.
- Attention and flexibility: These related traits are important to recruiters because they give a sense of your ability to actually do the job. Recruiters may assess your attention by asking you to complete a test assignment or by considering how well you follow directions in your initial application. To demonstrate flexibility, highlight parts of your history where you had to adapt to shifting circumstances or deal with unforeseen consequences.
Proactivity is key when looking for employment, and you can take the initiative by reaching out to the staffing agencies directly if you feel you have waited a long time for a recruiter to reach out.
Advice for Working with a Recruiter
Are you tired of waiting for a recruiter to reach out to you? Take the initiative by contacting staffing agencies directly. Here are a few tips for working with a recruiter for maximum advantage:
- Ask good questions: First, determine whether potential recruiters have experience staffing for your industry. Get a sense of the companies the recruiter has access to and decide whether there’s enough overlap with where you’d like to be. Also, strive to work with recruiters who take an active role in marketing candidates. Finally, do ask them how you can improve your materials and presentation to be more appealing to employers.
- Be honest and know what you want: Clearly let your recruiter know what type of work you’re looking for, not only in terms of field and position but also salary, hours, benefits, and in-person vs. remote. That said, your recruiter will still likely give you some options that don’t match all vectors. Remember, there’s no pressure to say yes to something, but it may still be worth your time to carefully review all options presented.
- Know the limits of the relationship: While recruiters are savvy professionals with valuable perspectives to share, they are not career coaches or personal assistants. Thus, while you might ask for suggestions on polishing your resume, for instance, it will still be you who actually rewrites it. Landing a job still ultimately falls to you and your ability to sell your credentials.
For more advice on working with recruiters or getting a job in the behavioral healthcare field, visit the Behavioral Health Jobs website.
Get More Tips and View Postings at Behavioral Health Jobs
Don’t wait to jumpstart your behavioral health job search with pro tips from Behavioral Health jobs. Read more of our helpful articles on topics relevant to job seekers to get a leg up. You can also contact us at [Direct] or online for more help. Our passion is helping you find top behavioral health jobs near you.
