Ready to start hiring?
Dealing with hard-to-fill positions? Let us help.

Post Job

12 Recruitment Experts Share Their Best Networking Advice

By Paul Slezak - Dec. 20, 2022
jobs
Post A Job For Free, Promote It For A Fee

 

Building a true referral network takes time and effort. You might have to repeat your elevator pitch several times over the course of a few months before someone you’re building a networking relationship with says, “I’ve got a qualified referral for you” (and in the recruitment world that could be a hot client prospect or an A-grade candidate).

Keep reading to find networking advice from 12 different recruitment experts.

Key Takeaways

  • Networking can take place anywhere — social media, the gym, professional communities, etc.

  • Listening and staying engaged in a conversation is key to successful networking.

  • Focus on building long-term relationships, not just short-term connections.

12 Recruitment Experts Share Their Best Networking Advice

Lisa Noeltner

San Francisco, Bay Area, California

I network with everyone from engineering people to product people to CEOs to other recruiters. I like online networking best right now because it works for the types of roles I mainly recruit for and allows me to focus my days/nights better. Balance is everything in this business or burnout will prevail!

Carlos Hernandez

Miami, Florida

Utilize LinkedIn! As an independent recruiter, I’ve been able to connect and develop relationships with extremely qualified candidates who happen to be connected to many similar candidates.

Whenever reaching out to someone newly connected, there is a high probability we have a shared connection and by mentioning the shared person, it gives me credibility and I repeat the process.

Jessica Dragiotis

Melbourne, Australia

As a recruiter, networking is key. Treat every interaction in your everyday life as a networking opportunity! From meeting new candidates for a specific role to your daily workout at the gym! There are opportunities everywhere and it’s key to remain open-minded.

Tatiana Wicke

Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

I have an active online presence and take time to refine, nurture and participate in this network of professional contacts, relationships, and resources.

I am very selective as to how I build my network by researching and utilizing new tools and being part of like-minded communities that align with my professional strengths and interests.

I have found that the more focused I am upfront with these efforts, the easier it is to maintain, and the more beneficial and applicable the return (personally and professionally!).

Stacie Ratliff

Los Angeles, California

  1. Be genuinely interested in others – People love it when others take a sincere interest in them. Passive candidates want to feel validated as unique individuals and not feel as though they are in a cattle drive.

    They also appreciate it when recruiters care about them as a whole person and not just the skills they bring to the table. Find out what someone is passionate about and build a rapport around mutually-interesting subjects.

  2. Build real relationships – In the age of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms there may be a tendency for some to rely too much on online outlets as a means of connecting. The fact is that connections are great but they are not relationships.

    Relationships are cultivated over time through in-person contact, trust, and nurturing. Networks are critical to your business success so make it part of your long-term career strategy.

    Convert some of your connections to friends and stay in touch with your contacts. Don’t just reach out when you need something.

  3. Practice the “Law of Reciprocity”- This is a social-psychological principle that basically says when we do good things for others and put positive energy into the Universe with good intention, that good eventually comes back to us.

    If you present yourself as someone who is honest and sincere and who also takes the time to help others when they need it, without seeking anything in return, it inspires people and builds trust.

    People often can’t resist the urge to return a favor and sometimes in much bigger ways than the original action. Take the time to refer someone for a job opportunity, offer suggestions and advice, or send business leads someone’s way.

    A great example of this is a business colleague who, to my pleasant surprise, gifted me his Cabo San Lucas presidential timeshare suite because I had given his company some recommendations, which resulted in business opportunities. So pass it on and pay it forward.

Wendy De Audney

Sydney, Australia

As a recruiter, networking is vital to success.

Here are my top 8 networking tips:

  1. I always keep business cards with me to hand out to people I meet because I never know who could become a candidate or a client, or who might refer my services to others

  2. I always try and be a good listener, and I don’t just mean when taking a job brief, but in conversation generally. I find that to get a rapport with people they mostly like to engage and talk about themselves

  • Even if a conversation isn’t stimulating, I am cheery, pleasant, and engaged in return.

  • Having a knowledge of current affairs also allows me to be able to talk about something topical and of interest; talking about the weather is rather overdone!

  • It’s not always possible to remember people’s names, but I don’t hesitate to ask again if I’ve forgotten, because often the person I’m talking to has forgotten my name also. Networking is a two-way interaction after all.

  • If I pretend I’m the host at a function it’s easier to network because what host wouldn’t look after their guests? I’ll often go up to people who are alone and introduce myself and a conversation starts.

    99% of the time I find people are really happy to have someone to talk to at functions and of course, it’s a wonderful opportunity to exchange business cards.

  • To ensure I’ve made a valuable networking connection, [I may need to contact in the future,] I always ask if I can get connected on LinkedIn.

  • Finally, to succeed at networking, I treat the relationship as one of trust and open communication, not just a sales pitch. I always remember the old adage: “People will always remember how you made them feel, not what you said.”

  • Peter Medgyesi

    Budapest, Hungary

    The best way to get comfortable talking to new people is to just do it. The more people you meet and connect with, the more comfortable you’ll start to feel with the idea of networking.

    If you don’t know what to say, let others do the talking. If you are not a born extrovert, then you have to get out of your comfort zone. Make sure you smile, because if you look happy and have open body language, people will be more likely to approach you or let you approach them.

    Remember to smile before you enter the room, or before you start your next conversation.

    Busi Shibodze

    Johannesburg, South Africa

    I always try to improve my professional profile and to make sure it stands out. I maintain and keep client relationships and always keep track or follow, in that way I get to be introduced to new contacts.

    I join professional networking groups and I always make sure my networks get updated with any changes, broadcasts, publishes, or comments I make on social media.

    Nadia Gil

    Malaga, Spain

    When I meet people I try to find out what their needs are from a career or hiring perspective. How is their business going? What challenges do they face from a human resource perspective? Are they looking for change?

    Maybe I won’t be able to help them in that moment but it opens the door for future collaboration. Networking is not about filling your Rolodex with names. It’s about delivering value to people and helping them make valuable connections.

    Kellie Shaffier

    Melbourne, Australia

    My most valuable resource is time and to make sure I stay relevant in the ever-changing recruitment market I dedicate an hour of my time each day to connecting with other recruiters, potential clients, and candidates to ensure my ear is always to the ground.

    I also make sure that I get to at least 1 industry event bi-monthly.

    Networking can be daunting however I always plan a strategy ahead of time and remind myself that connecting with new people helps to grow my business and can assist with overcoming future obstacles.

    My best tips for networking events are: listen lots and ask questions. This is one time I apply the 80/20 rule to all conversations. Know your USP as this will help you stand out.

    Personalize your conversations because people like doing business with people they like, so talk about things that matter to you outside of business. Most importantly follow up with each new contact and always drop an email or connect via social media following the event. Good Luck!

    Thomas Marino

    Boston, Massachusetts

    I entrench myself in social media. LinkedIn, for my technical niche, is starting to be so saturated and overused that I prefer Twitter’s less formal, more personal platform as a format. Because software developers are so hounded by recruiters Twitter is a great place to show a more personal, less “salesey” side.

    Whether in person or in social media, I attempt to portray myself as someone who likes to build things as well: I build teams of people who build amazing things.

    Get Started Hiring Now

    Recruiters’ Networking Advice FAQ

    1. What are the top five tips for networking?

      The top five tips for networking are:

    • Get out of your comfort zone.

    • Create a strategy.

    • Follow up with the connections you make.

    • Perfect your elevator pitch.

    • Listen well.

  • Why is networking important for recruiters?

    Networking is important for recruiters because it helps you build your reputation as a knowledgeable and trustworthy resource for potential clients.

  • Networking also helps you find qualified candidates and gives you the opportunity to promote job openings you’re trying to fill.

    Author

    Paul Slezak

    With over two decades of experience in the recruitment and human capital industry, Paul Slezak has established himself as a transformative force in the realm of leadership and career coaching, group facilitation, and talent acquisition. His unique perspective, drawn from his early career as a leader in global recruitment firms and his entrepreneurial success with his own start-up, has enabled him to make a significant impact on leaders, teams, and organizations across the world. Paul's passion for helping others achieve success and high performance is evident in his commitment to transforming leaders and their teams at local, national, and international levels. He specializes in promoting the importance of human-centered intelligence, focusing on soft skills such as authenticity, transparency, and trust to complement business-centered acumen and drive better workplace outcomes. As an impartial facilitator, Paul brings his expertise to team offsites and strategy days, ensuring alignment on goals, values, and culture while keeping participants on task. His engaging and energetic presence, coupled with his unique "entertraining" and "edutaining" delivery style, enables him to connect with audiences both large and intimate, sharing personal and professional anecdotes that inspire and energize.

    Ready To Start Hiring?

    Related posts

    Find Your Next Hire Out Of Over 5 Million Candidates

    Get connected with quality candidates whose resumes on Zippia best fit your job description.