Posted by Jonathan Kidder on March 1, 2023March 20, 2023

In today’s uncertain economy, the process of finding another recruiting or talent sourcing job can be overwhelming. With many professionals struggling to secure their next opportunity, the competition among recruiters has become fierce. That’s why I wanted to share some creative strategies for finding talent sourcing jobs in a crowded market.

Creative Ideas when applying for jobs:

Create an Infographic Resume: Instead of a traditional resume, create an infographic that visually represents your skills, experience, and achievements. You can use free online tools to create professional-looking designs.

Make a Video Resume: Record a short video introducing yourself, explaining why you’re interested in the job, and highlighting your skills and qualifications. This is a great way to showcase your personality and communication skills.

Write a Blog Post: Write a blog post that demonstrates your knowledge of the industry or field you’re applying for. You can share your thoughts on current trends, provide insights into a particular topic, or offer advice to others.

Create a Project: If the job you’re applying for involves creative or technical skills, create a project that showcases your abilities. For example, if you’re applying for a graphic design position, create a portfolio of your work or design a logo for the company.

Use Social Media: Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram to connect with the hiring manager or showcase your work. You can share your portfolio, write about your experiences, or comment on the company’s posts.

Send a Customized Gift: Send a customized gift to the hiring manager that reflects your skills or interests. For example, if you’re a graphic designer, you can design a customized mug or a t-shirt with the company’s logo.

Write a Cover Letter that Stands Out: Instead of a generic cover letter, write a personalized one that shows you’ve done your research on the company and the job opening. Include specific examples of how you can contribute to the company’s success.

Attend a Networking Event: Attend a networking event or industry conference to meet professionals in the field and learn more about the job opening. You can also use this opportunity to showcase your skills and make a lasting impression.

Don’t forget to network:

Networking with recruiters directly can be a beneficial strategy for job seekers for several reasons:

Access to Hidden Job Market: Recruiters often have access to job openings that are not publicly advertised. By networking with recruiters, you can tap into the hidden job market and learn about job opportunities that may not be listed on job boards or company websites.

Personalized Advice: Recruiters can provide you with personalized advice on your job search strategy, including which industries and companies to target, how to improve your resume and cover letter, and how to prepare for interviews.

Building Relationships: Networking with recruiters allows you to build relationships with professionals in the industry. This can be valuable for future job opportunities and career growth, as recruiters can refer you to other employers or connect you with other professionals in your field.

Insider Knowledge: Recruiters have insider knowledge about the company culture, job requirements, and hiring process. By networking with recruiters, you can gain valuable insights into what employers are looking for in candidates and tailor your job search accordingly.

Increase Your Chances of Getting Hired: By networking with recruiters, you can stand out from other job applicants and increase your chances of getting hired. Recruiters are more likely to consider candidates they have a personal connection with and who have demonstrated a strong interest in the company and the role.

Create a video introduction:

Using a video to present yourself to a recruiter can be an effective way to showcase your personality, communication skills, and professional experience. Here are some tips to create an engaging video presentation:

Keep it Short and Concise: Your video should be no longer than 2-3 minutes. Make sure to highlight your most relevant skills and experience and avoid going into too much detail.

Introduce Yourself: Start your video by introducing yourself and stating the position you’re applying for. This is an opportunity to show your personality and enthusiasm for the role.

Highlight Your Skills and Experience: Use examples from your previous work experience to demonstrate your skills and experience that are relevant to the job. Make sure to focus on the skills and experience that the employer is looking for.

Show, Don’t Tell: Use visual aids, such as images or graphics, to illustrate your points and make your presentation more engaging.

Be Professional: Dress appropriately for the job and record your video in a quiet, well-lit space. Make sure your background is clean and uncluttered.

Practice and Edit: Practice your presentation several times before recording it. Edit your video to make sure it flows smoothly and includes all the key points you want to make.

End with a Call to Action: Conclude your video by thanking the recruiter for their time and expressing your interest in the job. Encourage them to contact you to schedule an interview or ask any questions they may have.

Use email templates:

Subject: Request for Informational Interview

Dear [Recruiter’s Name],

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I’m writing to express my interest in learning more about your experience in the [Industry/Field] industry. I came across your profile on LinkedIn and was impressed with your background and achievements.

I am currently exploring career opportunities in the [Industry/Field] industry, and I believe that your insights and advice would be valuable in guiding my career search. I’m particularly interested in your experience with [Specific Area or Project].

I would like to request an informational interview with you to discuss your experience and insights. This would be an opportunity for me to ask questions about the industry, your career path, and any advice you have for someone starting out in the field.

I understand that your time is valuable, and I would be happy to work around your schedule. I’m available [Days/Times], and the interview can take place over the phone or through a video call, whichever is more convenient for you.

Please let me know if you’re available for an informational interview, and if so, what dates and times work best for you. Thank you for considering my request, and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Subject: Experienced Candidate for [Job Title] Position

Dear [Recruiter’s Name],

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position with [Company Name] that I came across on [Job Board/Company Website]. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to the role and contribute to your organization.

As a highly skilled [Your Profession] with [Number of Years] years of experience in [Industry/Field], I have developed a strong background in [Key Skills and Experience]. My experience includes [List Key Responsibilities and Accomplishments], which I believe align well with the requirements of the [Job Title] position.

I am particularly interested in the [Specific Project or Initiative] that [Company Name] is currently working on. I am confident that my skills and experience would enable me to make significant contributions to the project and help the organization achieve its goals.

In my current role at [Current Company Name], I have [List Major Achievements or Projects]. These experiences have honed my skills in [Key Skills], which I believe will be valuable in the [Job Title] role.

I have attached my resume to this email for your review. I would be happy to discuss my experience and qualifications further and answer any questions you may have. Please let me know if there are any next steps I should take in the application process.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Using Boolean strings:

“recruiter” AND “job”
“talent sourcer” AND “hiring”
“recruiting specialist” AND “employment”
“talent acquisition” AND “recruiter”
“technical recruiter” AND “IT jobs”
“sourcing recruiter” AND “human resources”
“corporate recruiter” AND “staffing”
“candidate sourcing” AND “recruitment”
“employment specialist” AND “talent acquisition”
“staffing coordinator” AND “recruiting”

Try these Boolean search strings to uncover new job opportunities outside of LinkedIn:

inurl:boards.greenhouse.io (“recruit*” OR “talent acquisition” OR “sourcer”) AND (“remote” OR “virtual” OR “work from home”)

inurl:jobs.lever.co (“recruit*” OR “talent acquisition” OR “sourcer”) AND (“remote” OR “virtual” OR “work from home”)

inurl:ziprecruiter.com (“recruit*” OR “talent acquisition” OR “sourcer”) AND (“remote” OR “virtual” OR “work from home”)

inurl:wd1.myworkdaysite.com (“recruit*” OR “talent acquisition” OR “sourcer”) AND (“remote” OR “virtual” OR “work from home”)

Using Google alerts:

Google Alerts can be a helpful tool for job seekers to stay updated on new job openings and industry news related to their job search. Here are some steps to set up Google Alerts for your job search:

Go to the Google Alerts website: Navigate to the Google Alerts website by typing “Google Alerts” into your search bar or by going to https://www.google.com/alerts.

Sign in with your Google account: If you don’t already have a Google account, create one. Otherwise, sign in with your existing account.

Create a search query: Enter a search query that is relevant to your job search. For example, you could enter the job title you are interested in, or the name of the company you want to work for.

Choose your settings: Select the frequency of alerts you want to receive, the sources you want to search, the language and region, and the email address where you want to receive the alerts.

Set up multiple alerts: Set up multiple alerts for different keywords related to your job search. For example, you could create alerts for job titles, company names, industry trends, and news related to your field.

Review and refine your alerts: Review the alerts you receive and refine your search query or settings as needed to make sure you’re receiving relevant information.

By setting up Google Alerts for your job search, you can stay updated on new job openings and industry news, which can help you stay informed and competitive in your job search.

Staying organized:

By staying organized throughout your job search, you can increase your chances of success and make the process less stressful and overwhelming.

Create a spreadsheet: Create a spreadsheet to keep track of the jobs you have applied for, the date you applied, and any other relevant details such as the job title, company name, and job description.

Set reminders: Set reminders on your phone or calendar to follow up on job applications and interviews. This can help you stay on top of your job search and ensure that you don’t miss any important deadlines.

Use a project management tool: Use a project management tool such as Trello or Asana to organize your job search tasks and keep track of your progress. You can create boards for each job you’ve applied for, and move tasks from one stage to the next (e.g. application submitted, interview scheduled, etc.).

Keep a journal: Keep a job search journal to record your thoughts, feelings, and experiences throughout your job search. This can help you stay motivated and focused, and provide you with a way to reflect on your progress and achievements.

Create a job application folder: Create a folder on your computer or in a physical file cabinet to store all your job application materials, such as resumes, cover letters, and writing samples. This can help you stay organized and ensure that you have all the necessary materials on hand when you need them.

Use a job search app: Use a job search app such as Indeed or LinkedIn to save job listings and receive alerts when new jobs are posted. You can also use these apps to apply for jobs directly from your phone.

Setting goals:

Setting clear goals is essential when job searching. Here are some tips for setting effective goals during your job search:

Define your job search goals: Start by defining your overall job search goals. What kind of job do you want? What are your must-haves in a job? What are your long-term career goals?

Break down your goals: Break down your overall job search goals into smaller, more manageable goals. For example, you could set goals for the number of jobs you want to apply for each week, the number of networking events you want to attend, or the number of informational interviews you want to conduct.

Make your goals specific and measurable: Make sure your goals are specific and measurable. Instead of setting a goal to “apply for jobs,” set a goal to “apply for five jobs per week.” This will help you track your progress and stay motivated.

Set a timeline: Set a timeline for achieving your goals. This will help you stay focused and avoid procrastination.

Stay flexible: Be open to adjusting your goals as needed. Your job search may take longer than anticipated, or you may discover new opportunities along the way. Be willing to adjust your goals to reflect changes in your job search.

Celebrate your achievements: Celebrate your achievements along the way. When you achieve a goal, take time to acknowledge your progress and reward yourself for your hard work. This will help you stay motivated and focused as you continue your job search.

Use this free extension tool: Simplify – Autofill your job applications

Looking to simplify your job and internship application process? Look no further than Simplify! With our one-time common application for jobs and internships, you can autofill your details with just one click whenever you apply to jobs online.

Our extension automates your job applications on over 100,000 sites, including popular platforms like Workday, Lever, Greenhouse, iCIMS, Taleo, Facebook, Google, and more. Plus, you can track and source recommended jobs right from the extension.

We’ll even save your submitted applications to your Simplify dashboard so you can stay organized throughout the process. Join thousands of college students and new-grads on our platform who have already submitted over 1 million job applications with Simplify. Discover and apply to your next role today!

To avoid becoming overwhelmed during your job search, it’s important to stay organized and focused. Set goals and establish daily routines to keep yourself on track. If you need more guidance and support, consider working with a career coach who can help you navigate the job search process.

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Jonathan Kidder

With more than 12 years of recruitment experience, Jonathan has helped startups and small businesses find the talent they need. He runs the blog WizardSourcer, which explores the latest trends in talent sourcing, provides reviews of recruitment tools, and features interviews with prominent figures in the industry.