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​In this article I want to tackle an issue that often lingers in the back of people’s minds: why does it take recruiters so long to respond, especially during a quiet market?

First off, let me acknowledge the elephant in the room—recruiters, myself included (guilty as charged), are often not as responsive as we’d like to be. It’s a real issue and definitely not something we take pride in.

In an ideal world, I’d clone myself to reply to everyone who reaches out, but unfortunately, science hasn’t yet caught up to our needs! Jokes aside, the truth is that a recruiter’s life is a busy one. We manage multiple clients, juggle several job openings, and sift through hundreds of applications.

While we do our best to get back to people, it’s not always possible to respond promptly. So what can you, as a candidate seeking your next opportunity, do to get noticed and increase your chances of hearing back from us?

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Stand Out by Covering All the Bases

I recently received an email from a candidate I hadn’t been in touch with before, and her approach was a perfect example of how to reach out effectively. She was newly open to work and had been connecting with recruiters as part of her job search. What made her email stand out was that it included all the essential details right from the start. This is what her email contained:

1. Current CV and Portfolio: Ensure your CV and portfolio are up-to-date, spell-checked, and that all links are working. Make sure they’re relevant to the types of roles you’re applying for. When applying directly, it’s crucial to tailor your CV and portfolio to highlight your strengths and experience—this makes it easier for recruiters to see how you fit the role.

2. Salary Expectations and Work Preferences: Make sure to include your expected salary range or hourly rate, along with your preference for the type of work—whether it’s freelance, contract, or a permanent role.

3. Availability and What You’re Looking For: Are you immediately available, or do you have a notice period? Are you looking for remote or on-site work? Be clear about what you’re after in your next role.

When recruiters receive such emails, it makes our lives a breeze because it means we have all the necessary information upfront. Even if we don’t have an available job to match you right away, having your details on hand helps us keep you in mind for future opportunities that align with your preferences.

Tailored Applications for Specific Roles

I repeat this tip over and over any chance I get because it is an absolutely crucial one. If you’re reaching out about a specific job listing, the best thing you can do is tailor your application to the job description. Show that you’ve taken the time to understand the role and how your skills and experience are a fit. Your resume and cover letter should already make this clear, so an additional follow-up email or phone call isn’t always necessary.

Rest assured, if you’re the right fit for the role, we’ll get in touch. Our job is to find the closest match possible for our clients. If you meet the job criteria, we’ll want to talk to you.

Another thing to keep in mind is that sometimes jobs get filled quickly or the client may decide to pause the hiring process, leading to delayed responses or no feedback at all. My tip: if the job ad has been up for a while, there’s a good chance it has been filled, closed, or put on hold. It doesn’t hurt to apply anyway, but just keep that in mind to help manage your expectations.

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Leverage LinkedIn to Your Advantage

Another way to ensure you catch the eye of recruiters is by optimising your LinkedIn profile. Here’s how to make it work for you:

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1. Keep Your Profile Updated: Include your most recent job experience, projects, and relevant skills. Having a detailed profile helps you come up in recruiter searches, especially when they’re looking for someone with your specialisations.

2. Utilize Your Headline and Bio: Make sure to list your specialisations in both your job titles and bio. For example, if you’re a designer who specialises in UX/UI, add that to your headline and description. The more specific you are, the more likely you are to appear in niche searches.

3. Enable “Open to Work”: You can turn on the “Open to Work” setting for recruiters only. This setting allows recruiters to see that you’re open to new opportunities without showing the public banner on your profile. It’s a great way to signal your availability discreetly.

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Don’t Overdo the Follow-Ups

Once you’ve reached out to a recruiter, whether via LinkedIn or email, resist the urge to follow up too frequently—one message or email is enough. Let them know politely that you’re interested, and then step back. Bombarding recruiters with follow-ups can come off as desperate and may have the opposite effect of what you intended.

It may sound cheeky, but think of connecting with a recruiter like trying to connect with a match on a dating app—overdoing it might turn the person off. It’s the same kind of logic when approaching recruiters, if I’m being brutally honest…

We understand that waiting for feedback can be frustrating, but recruiters often handle a large volume of candidates. It’s okay to send one polite reminder if you haven’t heard back, but avoid sending multiple messages or calls. Ultimately, you want to leave the best impression possible with a recruiter, as they’ll be the one representing you to their clients.

Even if a recruiter doesn’t get back to you about a role right away, they may reach out later when another suitable opportunity arises. I know this may feel like a bit of a double standard, but with the high influx of contact we receive, it’s just the reality of our roles at times.

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Final Thoughts

The hiring process can be long and drawn-out, especially in a slower market. While recruiters strive to get back to candidates, it’s not always feasible to provide updates or feedback to every applicant. That being said, if you’ve had an interview or phone screening with a recruiter, or if you’ve interviewed with a client the recruiter referred you to, you are absolutely owed feedback and an update. Sometimes we don’t receive feedback from our clients right away, but in those cases, we’ll let you know when that happens.

I hope this article hasn’t come across as a cop-out, but rather as a way to be real and provide as much transparency as possible.

I also hope the tips mentioned above are helpful. From my experience as a recruiter, following these can help increase your visibility and improve your chances of making a lasting impression, even if it takes a little while for us to connect with you directly.

Thanks for reading!