Ask-A-Recruiter: Do Recruiters Read Their Mail?

Contributed by Caroline Ceniza-Levine of SixFigureStart

This question came up at a recent workshop which I led about what happens behind-the-scenes during the hiring process: Do recruiters read the cover letters, thank-you’s and all the other time-consuming materials that jobseekers are supposed to send?

If you ask ten recruiters the same question, you may hear up to ten different answers. For example, I do not care about getting thank-you letters from interviewees. However, some of my recruiting colleagues will not consider candidates if they don’t send a thank-you letter. I barely read cover letters. Some other recruiters place more importance on the cover letter than on the resume. With so much dissension among recruiters themselves, how do you know what protocol to follow?

Be conservative. Since you don’t know what recruiter you will get (ones like me or the ones who actually read all the stuff), submit all resumes with a cover letter and follow up all interviews with a thank you. The recruiters that don’t care will just discard these things but will now know that you are a serious and professional jobseeker. The recruiters that do care will now not have a reason to discard you.

This follows with all the basic components of a job search. Understand what is required, and err on the side of caution. Have all marketing materials ready (e.g., business card, resume, cover letter, thank you letter, letters of reference, list of references), even though you might not need all of these all the time.

Dress business professional even when business casual may suffice. Be friendly to everyone, especially administrative staff. Have a positive attitude. You will not know the personality preferences of the people you meet, but you want to be remembered in a positive light.

Learn what recruiters value and other job search secrets from personalized, 1:1 coaching with SixFigureStart, 212-501-2234 or www.sixfigurestart.com.