The Jobvite Social Recruiting Survey 2010 was conducted online between May and June 2010; over 600 human resource and recruiting professionals participated in the survey. Respondents answered questions using an online survey tools and the response data is available only in aggregate form.

Specifics on the survey include how social recruiting programs are measured; use of social networks like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for recruiting; spending trends and candidate quality of recruiting sources; use of online profiles in reviewing candidates; employee referral program; hiring plans and applicant characteristics.

Since you are looking for a job and should be active on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter (the three social networking websites most popular with employers, according to the survey), remember these four reasons to use these sites and actively manage your profiles.

• You’ll have access to job opportunities at progressive, growing companies.
• You’ll have access to job opportunities first.
• Employers are increasingly using LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to find and vet prospective employees.
• You may not find as many job ads on job boards or job opportunities through recruiters.

Link to Jobvite

Link to Article about Survey

But I recognize the importance of networking, especially as a newly hired employee or when I have been promoted to a new position.  This “transition” is period when the current employees in your new department / division or company are making up their minds about whether you are dependable—or a loser who should never have been hired / promoted.

Speaking of ‘transition” … Click here for a PDF on the golden age of networking! ”

Transition Tips:  See some best practices on personal branding, how to be a memorable job candidate and learning how to become a world-class networker.  Power networking strategies can quickly expand your network. Real world strategies to shorten your time in transition. Your dogged determination to never stop learning, executing and trying new strategies, especially if they take you out of your comfort zone will help to create a powerful personal brand for you.

Most people don’t take to networking naturally, which is why it is often tough for me to be comfortable about reaching out to people.   The key point is that networking is the best way to acquire crucial information about the job and on how to succeed early. So when I am newly hired (or promoted), I have committed to immediatley do the following:

1) Identify who is in your network:   I ask myself:   Who can help me? Who knows what’s going on? Who gets around roadblocks? Who are the critical links in the supply or information chain?

2) Dare to introduce yourself:    Most people will be more receptive than you think.  Few professionals will refuse a call from someone who starts the conversation with “I’m new in my job, and I’m trying to get to know people who….”

3) Share what you know:   Reciprocate by sharing information you know will be useful.  Keep connected with people by, for example, sending relevant articles once a quarter or congratulating your contact about a job change.

In conclusion, the time spent in the early days building a network will save time down the road when you’re trying to solve problems, leverage resources, and achieve success.  You will regret it if you fail to set up that initial contact with people.

New Year’s Resolutions get a bad reputation for being something you say in January, but quit by February.

This year, make a resolution that you will …

• think about what I liked and disliked in previous jobs and develop the ultimate job description. I will use this to give my search focus and meaning
• network 80 % of the time and use the Web 20 % of the time
• be open to exploring many new options in the job market, understanding that there may be interesting opportunities beyond my traditional field
• review which tactics did and did not yield results in 2009, and I will work to understand how I might improve in those areas that did not do as well as I had hoped
• promise not to apply for positions I am definitely not qualified for
• ask friends or acquaintances who manage and hire people to evaluate my cover letter and resume and give me real feedback – even if it hurts to hear it
• set myself weekly goals during my job search and keep to their deadlines
• consider new industries and career paths, but I will research the likelihood of being able to make that switch easily
• work on building relationships with my recruiter by helping him/her as much as they help me
• will apply immediately (with a tailored cover letter and resume) and search for friends and colleagues who could act as referrals to help me network into the organization
• consider my job search a full-time job and will not become complacent with my current situation. I will prioritize my job search above television, video games, or recreational internet use
• meet (on the phone or in person) three new people a week who can help me with my job search
• be thoughtful about when to send my resume, and I will not send my resume to everyone I know
• not spam my resume to companies where I am seeking employment. Instead, I will tailor my resume to each company, so that my relevant skills are stressed for each specific position of department. The company will know I am serious and intent on working there
• learn to leverage Social Media as a vehicle for communicating about myself, and not just as a distraction for hours chatting with new friends be specific about the type of work and organizations, including names of target organizations that I find most interesting
• send thank-you cards after every interview, whether I thought the interview went well or poorly
• not assume a person cannot help me find a job.  They may know a great contact I need to meet
• set up informal discussions with decision-makers/hiring managers even if they are not hiring right now.  They may be hiring soon be open to exploring many options because an interesting opportunity may exist beyond what I can see on the surface start attending more job fairs and networking events, including those that may put me outside of my traditional industry
• consider that my resume may not be as good as it could be and seek advice
• acknowledge that I may not be an interviewing pro. Especially if I’ve interviewed a lot and have not landed a job.  I will seek professional advice
• start considering a wide array of employment opportunities, instead of only the areas I’ve been used to
• build a plan for my job hunt by outlining resources to research and key people to contact.  I will create a schedule, too.  Milestones and goals are important
• provide or demonstrate my value to my newly-made contacts first, before asking for their help
• share my concerns with a few trusted friends who can offer good advice (instead of giving up hope)
• re-examine what my real financial needs are so that I can be more open to opportunities that may pay me less than what I want
• meet, whether by phone,direct e-mail, or in person, three new people who can help me in my job search each week
• will volunteer.  I will make good use of my time by meeting new people and creating substance for a discussion on “what I’ve been up to recently.”  I will make a difference when many can use my assistance
• evaluate opportunities by recognizing that this job can be a stepping stone to another job (inside or outside the company) – especially as the market improves
• not depend on my network to find a job for me, but will view it as one of several methods of finding employment
• Read.  Learn. Teach.  I will educate myself or others on a subject-matter than is pertinent to my profession
• do volunteer work to keep myself busy, and to also answer the question interviewers will put to me regarding what I have been up to recently in my unemployment
• consider exercise to be a good stress-reliever and pick a program I will enjoy (not necessarily bring the fastest results)
• ask friends or family to give me full and honest criticism of my resume and of my interview tactics, even if it may be difficult to hear
• not become frustrated with my job search, or, if I do, I will not take out that frustration on my friends or family.

• not give up

Staying current is not only important to be on ready to be in top shape for your future employer, but given your weekly, variable schedule, you may be in an even better position to be able to step right into a new position, refreshed, knowledgeable and posed for a new opportunity.

What can you be doing now?

PARTICIPATING IN social networking

* Twitter – Follow people in your industry and you will find more links to articles and information than you can ask for.
* LinkedIn – Join groups, ask questions and answer questions.
* Blogs – Write, read and comment on blogs – it’s fast and an easy way to learn
* Other social networking sites and communities – Seek out other relevant sites based on your industry.

READING books, industry newsletters, magazines and blog posts (use Google Reader to assemble your RSS feeds in one place.  With the internet continuing to explode, finding websites with good, relevant information is easy.  I subscribe to over 30 industry blogs and have read a few social media books.  In addition, Slideshare is a website that allows individuals to post presentations, so searching the site can provide you with a lot of relevant content to learn from.

WATCHING online webinars

Ultimately, companies create webinars to get potential customers familiar with who they are and establish themselves as experts.  Lucky for us, they are usually incredibly informative and can easily fit into a busy schedule, as they are typically only an hour long.

VOLUNTEERING

I am volunteering at the California Academy of Sciences museum and at Taproot Foundation – to help the HR department select an applicant tracking system.  I am not getting paid for these engagements, but they provide me an opportunity to put something new on my resume, and keep my skill set current.

Overall, there are a multitude of opportunities to stay current while you’re out of work.  Doing so, could make the difference between getting a job or remaining unemployed and getting “rusty”.

Don’t forget an important feature of Linkedin Groups!

With the increased competitiveness in the job market, job seekers need to take advantage of every opportunity to follow a job lead and make a good first impression. One of the easiest ways to engage recruiters and hiring managers is through the group function of LinkedIn.

3 Suggested Groups for Job Seekers, not to be missed:

Job Openings, Job Leads and Job Connections!
Get hired. Apply for jobs. Post your Profile. Job, career and employment leads and advice. Network and connect with gatekeepers and decision makers. HR human resources headhunters recruiters recruitment staffing hiring education consultant management coaching alumni headhunter corporate recruiter.   JOIN

Helping Friends Career Network (LI2HF)
Welcome to the LinkedIn2 HFCN group — a business and career network of networkers for entrepreneurs, hiring managers, recruiters, and talented professionals worldwide to make meaningful win win win connections!   JOIN

Personal Branding Network
The Personal Branding Network is a consortium for all of those who are looking to build powerful personal brands, from around the world. We come together to provide each other with expert guidance so that we are better prepared for the future, while being able to delivering our brand promise today.   JOIN

Groups are a great way to develop your online brand presence in addition to the traditional uses and features of LinkedIn.  Use this excellent feature to keep your name and professional profile fresh in the minds of recruiters and hiring managers.

You can join up to 50 Groups on Linkedin – Take advantage of this privilege

Leave comments frequently within your Groups. This is highly recommended:

Leave interesting comments, tidbits, and other information on a regular and frequent basis that are professional and related to the group you are member of.

Also, note that messages between group members do not require an “introduction”.   When you are a member of a groups … you can contact anyone in the group – no cumbersome “introduction” process is required.   Make sure to reference the group you are both a member of when contacting them directly.

Group Management

LinkedIn Groups is your destination to find and join communities of professionals based on common interest, experience, affiliation, and goals. Stay in touch with organizations, schools, and companies that you are and were a part of, network with professionals with similar interests and goals, and collaborate in a professional community online.

LinkedIn Groups allows group organizations to extend their brand’s reach and strengthen the brand with existing users by providing additional value through LinkedIn’s features.

Groups Directory

Linkedin’s Groups Directory allows you to easily find the right group. Click on the “Category” dropdown to sort by different group types (Alumni, Corporate, Non-Profit, Corporate, etc). Once you have found a group you are interested in joining, click on the “Join Group” link to request to join the group. Clicking the  Share button lets you invite your connections to join the group as well.

Clicking the “Join Group” button starts the process of application to that particular group. If you should be denied access to a group you can see who the administrator or managers of a group are and approach them directly about gaining access although this needs to be approached with care.

Underneath the group summary you can also see who is involved in this particular group and is also a member of your network, either as primary contacts (”1st” symbol beside their name) or secondary contacts (”2nd” symbol beside their names – this means that they are  not directly in your network but are linked to someone in your network putting them 2 “links” away).

Once you have chosen what groups to be involved in, have a review of the discussions currently listed and get involved.

Your membership may be subject to review by a group manager. For instance, college and corporate groups may require a valid e-mail associated with the account. If you have any questions about joining a group, you can send a message to the group owner listed on the group information page.

A search able database of groups already in existence within Linkedin. This is the place to start upon entering Linkedin for the first time to establish the selection of groups that interest you and apply for permission to join.

Begin by searching for groups with titles associated with your industry (for example) and take your time.  There is no need to rush into joining groups straight away (although you can leave a group any time you wish). Browse and search different words to see what groups are available.  Alternatively you can use Linkedin Answers and ask what groups other established users would recommend for you in your field, saving you a lot of searching.

Groups are managed by the creators who choose to authorize access to their particular group so upon requesting permission to be accepted you will have to wait until moderation has been completed and you will receive an email informing you if permission has been accepted or denied.

When you select a group you are presented with a brief description of the groups theme and on the right side some basic information regarding the date of creation, group type and current number of members associated with the group.

My Groups

Once you have joined a group, it will appear on your left side navigation bar under “Groups”. Click on the Groups link to view all of your groups. This page gives you a quick overview of all of your groups, and allows you to access the homepages for each of your groups.

Your Group homepage gives you an overview of the activity in your group and allows you to take part in a private discussion. You can also click on the “Group Profile” link to view information about the group such as the owner, managers, website, and other information.

Discussions

LinkedIn Groups are now the best place to communicate with your group or organization online. Click on the “Discussions” tab on your Group to get started and view recent discussions.

This is a great way to keep in touch with organizations you are a part of, such as corporate and college alumni groups, non-profit organizations, trade groups, conferences, and industry-specific groups. You can discuss issues that are of interest to the entire group in this vibrant and professional atmosphere.

On the Discussions tab, you can also use the navigation links on the right side to sort discussions by most recent, popular topics, and those that you’ve participated in.

Members

Your group’s Members page allows you to view all the members in your group. To get started, click on the “Members” tab in your group and enter in your search terms in the “Search Group” box. You can search by name, company, and other keywords such as specific areas of expertise. This is a great way to find experts and utilize talent from within your network.

Settings

The “Settings” tab allows you change your contact and privacy settings for each Group. You can elect to display the group logo on your profile, change your privacy settings for network updates, and also decide how you want group members to be able to communicate with you.

Another important feature is the “Digest Email” option which allows you to receive updates by e-mail from your group. You can receive a summary of the recent discussions and other important messages from the group.

If you would like to change the order that your groups are displayed in, click on the “User Groups” link on the left-side navigation and scroll down to the “Change display order link”. This page allows you to change what groups are displayed on your navigation and groups homepage.

__________________________________________________________

Top 20 LinkedIn Groups recommended for Job Seekers:

1. JobAngels – Non-profit job search network of professionals helping other professionals find job advice and opportunities.
2. Executive Suite – Community of over 100,000 US-based executive-level and recruiter members.
3. Star:Candidate for Hire – Group working in tandem with Linked:HR, the largest Recruiters’ Group on LinkedIn, to help top candidates find jobs quickly and efficiently.
4. Career Rocketeer – Career Launch Network – Fastest-growing professional network for career search, career development and personal branding, bringing job seekers and employers, recruiters and career experts together for mutual success.
5. The Talent Buzz – Group for job seekers, recruiters and HR professionals interested in expanding their professional networks.
6. Helping Friends Career Network (LI2HF) – Business and career network where entrepreneurs, hiring managers, recruiters, and talented professionals worldwide can make meaningful win-win connections.
7. JobsDirectUSA – Official job search group on LinkedIn for JobsDirectUSA.com.
8. Career Change Central – Group linking job changers and professionals in career transition with recruiters, hiring managers and career coaches.
9. CareerLink Network – Community providing job seekers spiritual, physical, social, mental, economic and personal growth to meet their ever-evolving needs
10. Jobs Alert – Job search group for middle and senior-level managers worldwide.
11. A Job Needed – A Job Posted – Group is for all LinkedIn members searching for employment, posting employment or recruiters helping members find employment.
12. Looking for a Job? – Group designed to allow job seekers to share ideas, network, post jobs, advise on job market trends and ultimately help them find work.
13. MyCredentials – Career Presentation – Group helping members to network, expand their resumes and enhance their interview skills.
14. JibberJobber – Career Management – Network for executives, professionals, students and all those involved in the career services industry, including counselors, coaches and resume writers.
15. ResumeMaker Career Network – Forum connecting qualified job seekers with hiring managers and corporate recruiters as well as allowing candidates to discuss and share career opportunities.
16. Personal Branding Network – Consortium for all professionals looking to build powerful personal brands.
17. Indeed.com – Official job search group on LinkedIn for Indeed.com.
18. Project: Get Hired! – Motivational support group exclusively for job hunters to share creative strategies and stay motivated.
19. Job Search Help – Discussion group for job seekers sharing advice and leads and networking to help one another.
20. IMPACT Hiring Solutions Job Search Network – Discussion and networking forum for executives seeking job opportunities.

Additional Feature of Linkedin Groups: Create your own Group. Take control of your networking and create your own group allowing you to control the content and the members.

The creation of your group is a pretty simple and straight forward process.  The only part that needs some sort of skill would be the addition of a logo or brand name.

Creating the type of group, add the summary and description and link it to your site finally sorting out your contact details and geographic location and language.

Summary: Time to start adding professionals to your group by inviting or notifying possible interested parties to its existence. You could also add a link or page to your group on your website or blog  if the group is “public” and you want to expand and increase awareness and membership.

Check this HowCast video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

It is logical and common for professionals to build up their network during a job search, and then stop being in contact with their network once they have a job. This definition encourages people to continue networking even when they are not looking for a job.

• Networking is the most effective method for gathering job information from contacts to assist you in a job search. It does not require you to know scores of people or that you only talk to incredibly important people.
• Networking is essentially understanding the nature of relationship networks, talking to people you already know and developing relationships.
• Networking is about getting people you know to introduce you to people who are connected with your targeted organizations.
• Networking should not make you cringe. It is not just for extroverts ….. anyone can network successfully … all you need to do is: prepare, plan and spend the required time.

There are many ways to build your network. It isn’t just about going to after-hours networking meetings to stay connected. It’s about extending your efforts to everyone you know. Choose people you know and ask for introductions of those you don’t know.

Check this CommonCraft video on Networking:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Getting the word out about you and your job search is a very effective job search technique. Be sure to let everyone know what you are looking for, using your marketing plan and target list where appropriate.

Consider setting up a personal Web site. It is easy to build and customize your own professional looking Web site using materials you have already prepared, such as your resume and marketing plan.

Note that body language and how you actually say something are more important than the words you use. Remember, every time you send an email, you forfeit 93% of your communication. We tend to use email a lot, as it’s easier and faster, but remember how it limits real communication. When you talk on the phone, you’re still only getting 45% of the communication.

Telephone Calls: Another tip is when you call someone at the recommendation of someone else, start by mentioning the connection first.

Check this FoxNews video:

You know the saying, “It’s all about who you know.” But how do you network … if you don’t really know anyone yet? This week Adam wonders how he can get his foot in the door at top marketing companies in a new city, without an initial contact. Nicole shows him new strategies to connect with top executives, and how to ensure a call back.

Network Your Way to a Job Offer

BONUS INFO:

Hierarchy of a Network “Database”

• Database – Everyone in all of your contact databases (email, LinkedIn, personal address book, Twitter, etc.).
• Network – All he people who would return your phone calls! They’re people you are in touch with and you trust. Based on statistics, this group shouldn’t be more than 200-250 people, as after that amount, it’s more difficult to stay in touch.
• Inner Circle – People you could go to to ask their advice about what they think you should be doing for a living.
• Personal Board of Advisers (PBA) - These are the people who should champion you in your life. It’s like a Board of Directors, but for you, rather than for a company. You should have about 4-5 people on your PBA each year.
• Friends, Family, or Fools (FFF) – This is an obvious group… that actually likes you.

1) Focus Your Job Search:

Use the job search engines to find jobs by using keywords that match your interests and the location where you want to work. Narrowing your search criteria will help you focus your job search and will give you more relevant job listings to review and less non-relevant job listings to weed through.

2) Build Your Brand:

Create profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, VisualCV, and JobFox. A strong personal brand that portrays you in a professional light will provide recruiters, employers, and contacts with a strong positive impression of you as a candidate they should be interested in.

3) Connect With Your Contacts:

Now that you’ve created profiles on networking sites, use them. Connect with everyone you know, because you never know which contact may be able to help you with your job search or put you in touch with someone who can.

4) Use Job Search Tools:

There are a variety of widgets, gadgets, and tools that will help expedite your job search and manage your career. Use them to organize your job search and save valuable job searching time.

5) Create a List of Companies:

Do you have a list of companies you would like to work for? It’s a good idea to research company information and create a list of companies to target in your job search. All the information you need is available on the web, and it’s easy to find detailed information about potential employers online.

6) Find Job Listings:

Check job search engine sites, job banks, company web sites, networking sites, niche job sites, and sites listed by type of job. Consider working with a recruiter to maximize your opportunities.

7) Target Your Resume and Cover Letter:

It’s important to take the time to write targeted resumes and cover letters that specifically link your qualifications to the hiring criteria for the jobs you are applying for. The hiring manager will be able to see, at a glance, why, and how, you are qualified for the job. You’ll have a much better chance of getting an interview than if you send a generic letter and resume.

8) Ace the Interview:

Research the company before you go for the interview, dress appropriately, practice answering and asking interview questions, and make a concerted effort to impress the interviewer with your skills, experience, confidence, and expertise.

9)  Follow Up:

It’s important to follow up after an interview by thanking everyone you met with. Also reiterate your interest in the position and remind the hiring manager why you’re an excellent candidate for the job.

10) Accept (or Decline) a Job Offer:

When you receive a job offer, it’s important to take the time to carefully evaluate the offer so you are making an educated decision to accept, or to reject, the offer. You don’t have to accept a job just because it was offered to you, but do carefully evalute it and if you decline, do so politely.

Source: Alison Doyle, About.com

Before we go any further, watch this video – Understand Social Media:  (Time: 4 minutes, 22 seconds):

Click here to view the embedded video.

Now, answer this 4 word statement: “Tell me about yourself”

If you’ve ever attended an interviewing workshop, or found yourself head-to-head with this request in an actual interview, you are truly aware of the anxiety that these 4 words cause.

The natural inclination is to respond with:

“My name is ______________.
I am interested in ___________.
I majored in ___________.”

The same kind of information that you can find at the top of your resume; the same facts and “vital statistics” that your interviewer may have already received before you sat down for the interview.

But (and you likely know this already), you don’t want to tell someone exactly what they already know.
Instead… you need to tell the recruiters (who are looking for the differentiators) what is unique about you>

Answering this 4 word statement well is a perpetual challenge:

You need to engage the interest of your audience without going “off topic” (what brought you to the interview in the first place) or repeating the “known knowns.

The Internet is a highly public medium, and personal information in cyberspace could unfortunately work against you. Business Week reported that 35 percent of surveyed employers have eliminated candidates based on online information.

Social-networking sites are everywhere – sites like Zoominfo, Linkedin, Flicker, Twitter, Facebook etc. (see Wikipedia – it lists more than 100 social-networking sites!).  Did you know that recruiters are using these sites to find candidates? And you, the job seeker, are using some of the sites to get “found.”

The search engine leader – Google

Recruiters will use Google to find out all they can about a candidate.  And in the professional arena, having a LinkedIn profile is becoming as expected as being searched on Google.  Linkedin is used not only to seek connections, but to find information.  Your LinkedIn profile is must be and look great – even if you are working and successful. Be discriminating and emulate a profile that clearly that is a “head above the rest.”

Keep in mind, though, that employers and recruiters aren’t just looking for your “Googlability” – how many times your name pops up in a search. They’re also interested in how positive your online image is. Thus, be very careful about how you project your story online.

Twitter for Short Messages

Another key trend is the use of Twitter as a “micro-blogging” phenomena where users are communicating in no more than 140 characters (there is usually a spillover of text, and normally a link to a website using a shortened URL).

This post was written August, 2009 when relatively few recruiters actually source from social networks. But, according to Kevin Wheeler of the Electronic Recruiting Exchange, “Recruiting is moving rapidly from a find ‘em and screen ‘em, to a court ‘em, stay in touch with them, and sell them profession. These networks (Linkedin, Flicker, Twitter, Facebook ) will power that charge.”

These five actions will help you succeed when working with placement professionals.

1. Be Forthcoming

Be honest and upfront about any personal information that may impact your decision making process when it comes to job offers. For instance if there are geographic locations to which you won’t travel or if your availability to work is limited speak up. A placement person can’t work toward a win-win if she’s operating in the dark.

2. Be Honest about your Pay Requirements

The right placement professional works from your best interests as well as the hiring manager’s best interests. He/She is working to match your needs with the hiring manager’s needs. To do that effectively he/she needs to know what you’re really looking for in the way of pay as well as the least amount you’re willing to accept. By being up front you can avoid being overlooked for positions you would actually be interested in because the recruiter thought the pay rate was too low.

Don’t worry that he’ll/she’ll sabotage you’re negotiating leverage. The vast majority of recruiters work on a contingency basis. That means it’s in her best interest to help you negotiate the highest possible salary.

3. Utilize Coaching or Constructive Feedback

A quality based recruiter will have insight into the hiring manager’s decision making criteria. To help you prepare for an interview he/she may make suggestions about what experience to emphasize or what personal mannerisms to play down. Be ready to act on those suggestions. Don’t put your recruiter in a position to regret recommending you for an opening by behaving in a way that would reflect poorly on her or the firm.

4. Be Responsive to Requests

There may be times during the placement process when your placement agent or recruiter needs quick answers to client specific questions. This may come up when your candidacy is first submitted or it could happen after an interview. Your immediate response (or lack thereof) to these requests for information can make the difference in whether or not you get the job.

If your recruiter asks that you call him/her at a specific time, do it. As a professional recruiter I knew of upcoming openings (positions waiting for the hiring go ahead) or pending offers that required time sensitive contact. By asking certain candidates to contact me at specific times I saved both of us a lot of back and forth phone tag. The number of times this sped up placements was significant enough to continue the practice. A professional recruiter won’t waste your time or his/hers if he/she doesn’t truly think he/she has the potential to place you.

5. Stay Top-of-Mind

If you apply with a staffing firm but aren’t placed immediately, don’t disappear. Timing is everything. The position you were first interested in may get filled with someone else. And the next great opening could come in that afternoon. Placement firms are constantly recruiting which means your candidacy could get pushed down the list.

Stay in touch as long as you are actively looking for work (assuming the recruiter specializes in your field). Help your recruiter help you by keeping her up to date on your job seeking status.

Vary your communication between email and phone calls. Contact her once a week or every two weeks. (When in doubt ask the recruiter about the appropriate time interval between contacts.)

Choosing the right recruiter, having her want you as a candidate and then holding up your end of the bargain is the way to win a job through a placement professional. When handled correctly you and your recruiter will forge a relationship that has the potential to serve you both for years to come.

Source: Shirley Ray, a former hiring professional turned infopreneur empowering job seekers