How To Set Up A Meeting With A Recruiter

Looking for a new position is 1 of the most stressful things yous'll ever do. Peradventure it's the high stakes behind the search that makes it easy to over-clarify every part of it, especially when information technology comes to how you answer to the emails recruiters send. I know that before I became a recruiter, I spent way besides long trying to write the perfect responses to every unmarried e-mail I received. They had to be perfect, I thought, considering at that place was a job on the line.

Simply when I started writing emails to candidates, I quickly realized that people put manner likewise much pressure on themselves to "go their responses right." And so, earlier you spend all weekend trying to figure out how to sign-off (is it all-time or sincerely?), hither are iii emails recruiters send, and the answers they truly want from you lot.

1. Scheduling a Telephone Interview

It makes sense if you want to avoid offending someone when he or she is just trying to schedule a telephone interview. But, based on my experience in recruiting, I know two things: Recruiters are busy and when they want to schedule a phone interview, it will have the nigh offensive email ever to ruin your candidacy at this stage.

How to Reply

If a recruiter asks for a detail time that you're available to speak, feel free to write back and say, "That time works for me. Please allow me know if yous need anything else in the meantime." That's it. If he or she asks for times that you'd be available to speak, use this template:

Hullo [Recruiter Name],

Thanks so much for reaching out. I'one thousand available to speak at [insert dates and times you're free for a telephone interview]. Please let me know if you need anything else in the concurrently.

Looking forward to discussing the part with you!
[Name]

That's all information technology takes. Information technology doesn't need to be wordy, or even get too far to reemphasize your interest in the role.

2. Can Yous Resend Your Resume?

Y'all're probably thinking, "Wait, what? You demand an updated resume? Practice y'all not believe the original version I sent you lot?" If that's the case, take a deep breath and relax. Fifty-fifty when a company has a sophisticated arrangement for tracking applicants, sometimes technology doesn't cooperate, and websites go downward, files get decadent, and a broad variety of things tin can happen to your resume that would make a recruiter accept to ask for another re-create. Don't read into this also much if it happens. Just send it along again and trust that you lot didn't exercise anything wrong.

How to Respond

This one's relatively straightforward:

Hi [Recruiter Proper noun],

Hope this finds you lot well. Attached is a re-create of my resume. Delight let me know if I can resend whatsoever other materials.

Best,
[Name]

Seriously, that'due south all this requires. Don't go on yourself upwards trying to effigy out why a recruiter asked for this. Just send it.

three. Do Y'all Take Time to Chat Today?

This is different from the phone interview email. Much different. Information technology could mean a lot of things. You lot could exist on the verge of finding out you didn't get your dream job. Or, that yous got it and that it's time to celebrate. I used to overanalyze this type of e-mail to the point where a one-half-hour would become by, and I'd realize, Oh shoot, I should probably respond.

Don't worry about what you say when you answer this one—either fashion, you're getting some news, and you're well-nigh to have a much longer chat with the recruiter, one in which you'll be able to apply your all your words.

How to Respond

There's a common thread throughout these templates: They are all very, very straightforward. And for you, I hope that's good news. In this case, hither's how you lot can reply to a asking for a quick conversation:

Hello [Recruiter Proper noun],

Thank you for following up with me! I'chiliad bachelor [insert times you can speak that day]. Please let me know if any of those times work for you, and if not, I'd be happy to find a time that is convenient for both of us.

All-time,
[Name]

Elementary, right? Well, it should be. At that place's a much more in-depth conversation waiting for you, then don't waste material too much fourth dimension trying to figure out how to send the "right" response. Focus more on gearing up for whatsoever it is the recruiter wants to talk about.

I get it. Interviewing is hard, and it's even trickier considering every single layer of it comes with its ain stress. After all, there'south a position with a real salary, and real benefits, and probably very real happiness on the line. You should be commended for wanting to blast every part of it. But don't worry: When it comes to these kinds of recruiter emails, saying less in your responses won't cost you your dream chore.

Richard Moy is a Content Marketing Writer at Stack Overflow. He has spent the majority of his career in talent management, including a stint as a full-cycle recruiter and hiring managing director. In addition to the career advice he contributes to The Muse, he likewise writes test prep and college education marketing content for The Economist. Say hello on Twitter @rich_moy or follow his blog.