Interacting With Recruiters

What's a key step to getting a job interview? Getting the attention of the recruiter.

Recruiters are usually your first contact with a potential employer. They often decide whether your resume lands on the hiring manager's desk or in the trash can.

Recruiters are usually friendly and helpful. It's their job to guide you through the hiring process. But they're professionals working for the hiring company, and it's important that you never forget it.

Think of the recruiter as a respected coworker and treat them accordingly. Be friendly, but not overly casual. It's best to keep personal conversations, jokes and physical contact to a minimum.

Here's a rule of thumb: don't say or do anything in front of a recruiter that you wouldn't say or do in front of   your mother.

The recruiter's goal is not to help you get a job, so don't expect career coaching.  Recruiters aren't career coaches. It's not appropriate to ask them to help you craft your cover letter, edit your resume or plan your career path.  That's what I do!

You can ask them questions about the company or industry, but try to relate your questions to the job you're being considered for. Save your best questions for the hiring manager -- that's who you need to impress.

Recruiters generally won't share information about other candidates, so don't ask about who you're up against for a job. Asking for information about other candidates makes you look insecure.  Questions about the hiring process or the position itself are fair. Here are a few questions you can ask:

• Are you still interviewing candidates?
• How large is the current pool of candidates?
• How would you describe the ideal candidate for the job?

A recruiter is paid is to fill a position, so do your part to help them succeed by treating them with respect and "WOWing" the hiring manager.  Go get 'em!