5 Ways to Grab the Attention of a Recruiter

Getting the attention of a recruiter can speed up your job search, allowing you to further your career in less time. Plus, it may let you access more opportunities than you otherwise could, including unadvertised openings at leading employers.

Fortunately, standing out isn’t as difficult as it may seem. If you aren’t sure how to begin, here are five ways to grab the attention of a recruiter in a positive way.

5 Ways to Grab the Attention of a Recruiter

  1. Include a Well-Crafted Cover Letter

While sending a recruiter a resume is an essential part of forging a connection, adding a well-crafted cover letter is also crucial. With a cover letter, you can highlight your personality and discuss aspects of your career and long-term goals that may not fit on your resume.

Plus, a cover letter lets you immediately address specific concerns recruiters may have when viewing your resume. For example, if there’s a gap in your work history, you can briefly discuss the reason and showcase your excitement for returning to the workforce, making you seem like a stronger candidate.

You can also mention if you were referred to the recruiter by a candidate they previously assisted. If that candidate performed well in their new role, their reputation might carry over to you initially, making it easier to generate initial interest.

  1. Have a Compelling Resume Summary

Your resume summary is essentially the application equivalent to an elevator pitch. It showcases your strongest skills, degree of experience, and similarly highly pertinent details. By including compelling information in those initial two or three sentences, you draw the recruiter in and encourage them to keep reading.

  1. Focus on Achievements When Discussing Past Roles

In years past, the work history section of a resume largely discussed past duties. Today, that strategy is antiquated. Instead, it’s best to use achievements to showcase your skills and experience, as that shows the recruiter what you’re capable of delivering when in a similar role.

Choose a range of relevant accomplishments that show the hiring manager how you put various skills to work to get results for your employer. Additionally, use power verbs when describing them, as that gives each point some extra punch.

  1. Quantify the Details

Numbers stand out visually on resumes, drawing the eye to different achievements. Additionally, they provide the recruiter with context regarding the scope of your accomplishments, allowing them to see the broader impact of your efforts.

  1. Have an Attitude of Gratitude

Even if a recruiter’s job is to find candidates for open positions, acting as if you’re owed their help or entitled to a particular opportunity won’t help you stand out in a positive way. Instead, maintain an attitude of gratitude. Show appreciation for their assistance in all its forms, including finding suitable openings, providing you with interview tips, and anything else they do. That allows you to come across as a polite professional, and it will always work in your favor.


If you want to work with a recruiter to find a new job, the staff at The Squires Group wants to hear from you. Contact us to speak with one of our recruiters today.



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