Learn how to use mindfulness to communicate and build rapport with recruiters during your career transition. Mindfulness can help you cope with stress and improve your focus.

When interviewing candidates, as I do when being interviewed myself, I look for candidates that display working knowledge of the company. Understanding the industry, competitors and current performance from desktop research or networks and they l stand out. Always be armed with questions about the businesses aspirations, it’s performance, try and understand it’s commercial levers and show that business acumen.

What are the best ways to build relationships with recruiters during a career transition?

If you are looking for a new job or a career change, you might want to connect with recruiters who can help you find the best opportunities. However, building relationships with recruiters is not always easy, especially if you are feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed by the transition. How can you use mindfulness to improve your communication and rapport with recruiters and increase your chances of landing your dream job? Here are some tips to help you.

1 Be clear about your goals

Before you reach out to recruiters, you need to have a clear idea of what you are looking for and why. What are your skills, strengths, and values? What are your career aspirations and motivations? What are your preferred industries, roles, and locations? Having a clear vision of your goals will help you communicate them effectively to recruiters and show them that you are focused, confident, and prepared.

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Kate Freeman

NED AU & UK I Chairperson | Board Advisor | Customer & Growth Expert | Transformation | Corporate Advisory | Results & Relationship Driven | Commercialisation Lover | Mental Health Advocate | Accidental Dog Owner
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In my experience having a clear view of why you want to move roles - and it may even be a new industry - is key. Many are motivated through a personal experience or journey and think about the elements of you skill set are transferable and give examples of how you believe they can be utilised in the new role.

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2 Do your research

Once you have identified your goals, you need to do some research on the recruiters you want to contact. What are their specialties, backgrounds, and reputations? What are their clients and expectations? What are their preferred channels and methods of communication? Doing your research will help you tailor your messages and questions to each recruiter and show them that you are interested, respectful, and proactive.

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Kate Freeman

NED AU & UK I Chairperson | Board Advisor | Customer & Growth Expert | Transformation | Corporate Advisory | Results & Relationship Driven | Commercialisation Lover | Mental Health Advocate | Accidental Dog Owner
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When interviewing candidates, as I do when being interviewed myself, I look for candidates that display working knowledge of the company. Understanding the industry, competitors and current performance from desktop research or networks and they l stand out. Always be armed with questions about the businesses aspirations, it’s performance, try and understand it’s commercial levers and show that business acumen.

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3 Be mindful of your tone

When you communicate with recruiters, you need to be mindful of your tone and how it affects the impression you make. You want to be friendly, polite, and professional, but also authentic, enthusiastic, and curious. You want to avoid being too formal, casual, or aggressive, as this might create barriers or misunderstandings. You want to use positive language, express gratitude, and avoid complaining or criticizing. Being mindful of your tone will help you build rapport and trust with recruiters and show them that you are a good fit for their culture and clients.

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4 Listen actively

One of the most important skills for building relationships with recruiters is listening actively. This means paying attention to what they say, asking relevant and thoughtful questions, and showing interest and empathy. Listening actively will help you understand their needs, preferences, and feedback, and also demonstrate your value, skills, and potential. Listening actively will also help you avoid distractions, interruptions, or assumptions that might harm the conversation.

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5 Follow up

After you communicate with recruiters, you need to follow up with them to maintain the relationship and show your interest and commitment. You can send a thank-you note, a reminder, or an update, depending on the situation and the stage of the process. You can also ask for feedback, referrals, or advice, if appropriate. However, you need to be mindful of the frequency and timing of your follow-ups, as you don't want to be too pushy, needy, or annoying. You want to be respectful of their time, workload, and boundaries.

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6 Practice mindfulness

Finally, you need to practice mindfulness throughout your career transition and your interactions with recruiters. Mindfulness is the ability to be aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the present moment, without judgment or reaction. Mindfulness can help you cope with stress, anxiety, and uncertainty, and also improve your focus, clarity, and creativity. You can practice mindfulness by doing meditation, breathing exercises, or other activities that help you relax and calm your mind. Practicing mindfulness will help you be more confident, resilient, and adaptable in your career transition and your relationships with recruiters.

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Michele Bagnall

Top-Biller Recruiter | Talent Acquisition Specialist | Executive Search Consultant | Global Talent Sourcing Expert | Certified Career Coach | Professional Resume Writer | LinkedIn Branding Expert | The Job Genie
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There are various ways to practice mindfulness, and you can choose the techniques that resonate with you. Here are some common mindfulness practices: Meditation: Sit quietly and simply notice your thoughts. Breathing Exercises: Deep breathing helps to calm your mind. Body Scan: Notice any sensations, tension, or discomfort in your body. Mindful Walking: Nature walks help keep you grounded. Journaling: Writing down your thoughts helps to gain insight into your emotions. Yoga: Yoga combines physical movement with mindfulness and deep breathing. Approach mindfulness with patience, kindness, and a non-judgmental attitude towards yourself. Over time, you'll likely notice increased calmness, clarity, and overall well-being.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the best ways to build relationships with recruiters during a career transition?

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2

3

4

5

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1 Be clear about your goals

2 Do your research

3 Be mindful of your tone

4 Listen actively

5 Follow up

6 Practice mindfulness

7 Here’s what else to consider

Mindfulness

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What are the best ways to build relationships with recruiters during a career transition?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Be clear about your goals

2 Do your research

3 Be mindful of your tone

4 Listen actively

5 Follow up

6 Practice mindfulness

7 Here’s what else to consider

Mindfulness

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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