How To Find and Reach Out to a Recruiter: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once you find a company with an open position that you're interested in, consider contacting the recruiter with a short note explaining why you think you're a great fit for the role. Reaching out to recruiters directly can increase your chances of getting an interview. Connecting with a recruiter can create a more personal relationship as they get to know your background and skills. Even if you're not right for one job, they may keep you in mind for another or know of a different position that will soon become available.

Contacting recruiters is one of the best ways to find a job, yet job applicants often overlook it. This guide will cover how to find and reach out to recruiters to help you land a job.

What to prepare before contacting a recruiter

First impressions matter, so before contacting a recruiter, make sure that you're ready and feeling confident. Know what you're looking for, from position and salary to location. After your initial introduction, the recruiter will likely want to learn more about you and conduct some research, often on LinkedIn, social media, or your website. 

The recruiter may ask you to send your resume and work samples directly to them. Prepare easily accessible samples of your work along with links to your portfolio or other professional sites.

• Resume. Make sure your resume is up to date and tailored to the position you want. 
• Profile. Recruiters often research potential candidates online first, so check that your LinkedIn and Upwork profiles are current and optimized for the positions and projects you want.
• Samples. Pick your favorite past projects (that you can share) and create links or easy-to-download PDFs to send to the recruiter. You can use Google Drive or Dropbox to create shareable links if you don't have a personal website. Don’t forget that you can share links to your Upwork profile or individual portfolio projects. 
• Social media. Do a quick audit of your public social media channels to check for and remove any red flags a recruiter might see. 
• Elevator pitch. Have an idea of how to answer the "Tell me about yourself" question, which recruiters typically ask at the beginning of a relationship. Be able to sell yourself in about 30 seconds — this is your elevator pitch. 
• Requirements. Before talking with recruiters, make sure you know what you want so that they can find the right job for you. Figure out your minimum salary requirements and the type of work environment you prefer (remote, in-office, or hybrid). 

“Be persistent, put yourself out there, and share the most important information without overcrowding your profile. Add relevant keywords so potential clients can find your profile. Create a professional portfolio, even if this means adding personal projects to showcase your skills before you have client work to highlight.” 

— Anna N., 3D visualization artist 

How to find recruiters

Companies use recruiters to find the best talent for their teams. Their jobs are to review resumes, screen applicants, and send the top candidates for each role to hiring managers. Working with a recruiter can expedite the process and help you get interviews for the positions you're interested in. 

Recruiters know their hiring market, including future job openings. Your dream company may be hiring soon for a role that fits you perfectly, but hasn't posted it yet. If you work with a recruiter, your name may be among the first the hiring manager sees when they start hiring. 

Where to find recruiters:

• LinkedIn. LinkedIn is one of the top networking sites. You can search for open positions and see who posted the job (it may be the hiring manager, not the recruiter), or head to the company's page and search for "recruiters" or "talent acquisition" under people.
• Google search. You can also search on Google to find recruiters. Include the job title or industry, location, and "recruiter" in your search — example search: Software Engineer AND recruiter AND San Francisco. 
• Job search sites. Use job sites like Indeed and Monster to find the positions you're interested in, and then search for the company’s recruiters and their contact information using LinkedIn or Google. 
• Social media. Find recruiters who want to be contacted on Facebook, Instagram, and X by searching related hashtags like #recruiting, #hiring, and #recruiter. 
• Agencies. Recruiters often work for agencies, which allow you to submit your resume and apply to jobs directly through the agency website. Some agencies specialize in an industry, while others are generalists. Popular agencies include Robert Half, Kelly, Adecco, Aerotek, and TEKsystems. 

How to reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn

Once you find the recruiter's contact information, start planning your outreach. What you say is important; this is the recruiter's first chance to get to know you. Your message, resume, and social links create the initial impression. Use this as an opportunity to demonstrate that you have the soft and hard skills they're looking for. 

Step 1: Find their contact information

LinkedIn is one of the most common ways to connect with recruiters. Many recruiters share contact details on their profiles, such as an email address or a link to a personal website. You can look at their profile to see how active they are. If they post or engage regularly on LinkedIn, there’s a good chance they’ll see your message sooner.

Step 2: Research their background

Take a look at their profiles and learn more about them. On LinkedIn, you can see if you have any mutual connections who could help with an introduction. They may have a personal website with a blog that you could reference, or maybe you went to the same undergraduate school. Going the extra mile and making a personal connection as an opener can help build the relationship.

Step 3: Connect on LinkedIn

If you can find their profile on LinkedIn, send them a connection request with a personalized note. LinkedIn lets recruiters quickly look at your profile and experience to get a feel for your skills and whether or not you're a good fit for their open positions. Many recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates and network. Messaging on LinkedIn can also be a great way to stay in touch with recruiters at companies or in industries you're interested in. 

Step 4: Send a personalized note

You may decide to connect on LinkedIn and then send an email if the email address is listed. Regardless of whether the message is through LinkedIn, another social media platform, or email, it should be short and direct. You want to give them a quick summary of what job you're interested in, along with your experience and main selling points. Attach your resume and any relevant samples. If you already have a personal connection, keep it to just a sentence or two. They will let you know if they're interested and want more information from you. 

Step 5: Follow up

You can follow up if you haven't heard back in a few days. Either use the original contact method or try another one. You can say in your follow-up that you already contacted them but haven't heard back, so you're reaching out again in case they don't actively check their email, LinkedIn, etc. 

"After the interview was completed, I didn't hear back. I waited two weeks, then I decided, You know what? Let me send a nudge to this client. Let me do a quick check-in to see if they’re considering me to join the team. So, I swallowed my pride and sent a message to the client. I asked, 'Do you think I'm a strong candidate for this position? I really loved this interview, and the job seems to be a perfect fit for my skills.' She responded right away, hired me, and onboarded me the following Monday." 

— Vera Cruz, Top Rated Plus administrative assistant 

Message templates for contacting recruiters

When contacting recruiters, you can use these templates as a starting point to help figure out what to say. Make sure you fill in your personal information and add anything else that is appropriate and helpful. 

Every message you send to each recruiter should be slightly different, tailored to the company and position. They’ll be able to tell if you’re sending out generic messages. A personalized message shows that you respect their time. Try to keep your messages as short and straightforward as possible while being personable and friendly. 

LinkedIn message template 

Hi [First Name],

Thanks for connecting! I wanted to reach out because I saw you're recruiting for the [position] at [company], and I would be a great fit for the role. 

I’m currently working as a [your role] at [current company], where I focus on [1–2 relevant skills or areas]. I’m interested in opportunities that align with [what you’re looking for next], and this position feels like a strong match.

I've attached my resume and would love to talk with you more about the position.

Thanks for your time,

[First and Last Name]

[Contact information]

Email template

Subject Line: Reaching out about [position] at [company]

Hi [Name],

I saw that you are recruiting for the [position] at [company] on [job board or website where you found the information], and I am interested in the position. 

I currently work in a [position] at [company], where I focus on [brief, relevant area of work], but I am looking for an opportunity that [what you're looking for]. I think I would be a great fit for the [position] role because:

• [reason]
• [reason]
• [reason]

I've attached my resume and am happy to send you work samples and set up a call to answer any questions you may have about my experience.

Thank you for your time,

[Name]

[Contact information]

[link to website or LinkedIn]

Follow-up message template 

Hi [First Name],

I sent you a [LinkedIn message or email] last week about the [position] at [company] and wanted to see if you're still accepting candidates for the role. I hope you can keep me in mind for any upcoming positions if this one is already filled. 

I am especially interested in working for [company or industry] because [brief, genuine reason]. I’d love the chance to apply my experience and contribute in a future role.

Please let me know if I can answer any questions you may have about my experience or qualifications.

Thanks for your time,

Contacting recruiters is one of the best ways to find a job, yet job applicants often overlook it. This guide will cover how to find and reach out to recruiters to help you land a job.Recruiter readiness checklist:

Tips for talking to a recruiter 

When interacting with a recruiter, keep a few things in mind to help you communicate clearly and leave a good impression. Small details, like how you introduce yourself and follow up, can make a difference in how recruiters remember you.

Challenges of contacting recruiters

Finding qualified candidates for a job position takes time and effort. A company may get hundreds of applicants for a single job. Before someone gets hired, they typically have to complete multiple rounds of interviews, meeting with the hiring manager, team, and leaders. Hiring managers don't have the time to interview hundreds of candidates in addition to their jobs, so they work with recruiters. 

Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to prescreen candidates for recruiters, checking for relevant keywords in their resumes. Reaching out directly to the  recruiter for the role can help you avoid elimination at this step. 

Finding and contacting a recruiter can be challenging if you don’t have their full contact information on the job posting or after the first interview. This is especially true when companies use an ATS or have a large internal recruiting department. Some companies include the recruiter's or hiring manager's name in a job posting, while others don’t. You may need to do some research on your end to find the recruiter for the position. 

Demonstrate that you did research

Knowing what you want and showing that you’ve done your homework makes a recruiter’s job easier. They want to know that reaching out to them was strategic, that you chose them specifically and aren't just sending generic messages to every recruiter you can find. You should also have the right skills and experience for the roles you're interested in, so you can make the best use of your time and theirs.

What you should know before reaching out to a recruiter:

• The industry you're interested in
• Companies you want to work for 
• If you want to be in-office, remote, or hybrid
• What matters to you most besides the work itself: company culture, benefits, mission
• Open positions you're qualified for
• Minimum salary expectations
• Locations you're willing to commute from or relocate to
• Your long-term career goals
• Environment and work style that you prefer

Communicate your skills, goals, and more

The message you send to the recruiter should answer the questions: Who are you? What do you want? And what do you need from me? Remember, they probably don’t know who you are, so this is your first introduction.

The recruiter likely gets many messages daily from job seekers, so the first message you send should be a high-level overview of your skills and what you're looking for. Let the recruiter know specifically which role you're interested in, along with your most relevant skills and experience. Your resume, samples, and profiles will go into more detail if needed.

Be straightforward

While you want to be friendly, you also want to be direct. Keep in mind that the recruiter is working and wants to be as efficient as possible. The goal of the interaction is to show that you're interested in a company or position they're recruiting for and quickly demonstrate why you're a great fit. 

You want to pique their interest. Recruiters typically have full inboxes and are busy scheduling interviews. They don't have time to read a long message with lengthy paragraphs of text. Recruiters want the most important details and will ask for more information as the conversation continues, whether through a phone call or a follow-up message. 

Be respectful

Remember that you're not their client or employer and don't want to take up too much of their time. Think about their motivation and how you're helping them achieve their goals. Recruiters aren't obligated to help you. They want to find their clients and employers the best talent possible. 

Your goal is to clearly communicate your skills and experience in a way that makes a recruiter want to learn more about you. After reading your message, they should feel confident that you’d be a strong fit and someone they’d be excited to introduce to the hiring team.

Establish that your skills are compatible with the role 

Even if you send messages to multiple recruiters, personalize each one for the position you're interested in. You can use a template, but make sure the skills and experience you highlight are relevant to the specific role. Recruiters may be working for many companies or filling many positions at once, so let them know which specific one you'd like to interview for and the skills you have that make you an attractive candidate.

Understanding what recruiters do

Recruiters identify the strongest candidates who pass the screening phase and move them along to the next round of interviews, typically with the hiring manager. A recruiter schedules the interviews and serves as the applicant's point of contact for any questions during the process. 

Recruiters know what the company and hiring manager are looking for and can give you tips on how to impress your interviewers. Depending on whether the recruiter is in-house or external, they may even help you negotiate a higher salary, since this may also increase their commission. 

These are the different types of recruiters:

• In-house or corporate recruiters. Larger companies may have recruiters on staff as part of their human resources department. They are paid a salary and work full time recruiting for various roles.‍
• Agency recruiters. Companies can pay staffing agencies to recruit for them, either with a retainer (a flat fee paid up front) or on contingency (paid upon filling a position). ‍
• Headhunters. Companies use headhunters (independent professionals) to fill executive and high-level roles. Often, headhunters use LinkedIn and networking to find a short list of candidates without the company needing to post a job opening. ‍
• Freelancers. Many companies that don't have in-house recruiters or want to work with an agency hire freelance recruiters on Upwork for a project or on a part-time hourly basis. 

Best practices for contacting a recruiter 

Building a relationship with the right recruiter can help you land your dream job. Recruiters are an important first step in the hiring process for companies and can help you along the way with interview tips and even negotiations. 

Instead of applying for a job and waiting to see if you get that first interview, you can reach out to a recruiter to increase your chances. They may even know of other positions that companies haven't listed yet that better fit your skills and goals.

Working with a recruiter can give you more visibility in the hiring process and help you move faster toward the right role. Recruiters act as a link between candidates and hiring teams, offering guidance on what companies are looking for and how to stand out. Reaching out directly can also help you learn about opportunities that haven’t been publicly posted yet, making it a valuable way to explore roles that align with your skills and goals.

Here are some additional best practices for reaching out to recruiters: 

• Be mindful of timing. Messages sent during normal business hours or early in the workweek are more likely to be seen and answered.
• Check for typos. Double- and triple-check your message, resume, and anything else you'll be sending for any mistakes. You want to look professional and have your communications error-free. 
• Call to action. Include a call to action, like setting up a call or continuing the conversation via message, so the recruiter knows what you're looking for.
• Respond quickly. Check your emails and turn on your alerts so you immediately see any messages and can reply promptly. You want to respond in a reasonable timeframe to show interest. 
• Target roles that match your experience. You’ll get better results by focusing on positions where your background meets the requirements.
• Use the STAR method. Answer questions and showcase your skills in a story format using the STAR method, outlining the situation, task, action, and result in each anecdote. 
• Keep it conversational. Recruiters appreciate working with people who are easy to communicate with. Let some of your personality come through in your messages while staying professional.
• Create links. Opening links is often easier than downloading large files. Having a link to your website or samples and past projects can be helpful and look more professional than providing attachments.
• Showcase feedback. Positive testimonials from past clients and colleagues show that you're good at what you do and easy to get along with. Ask for recommendations on LinkedIn and feedback from clients on Upwork. 

Find your next project or role on Upwork

If you're looking for a change in your career, Upwork is the home for independent talent. You can explore freelance opportunities, negotiate long-term contracts, and even test out full-time roles with contract to hire. See what jobs are available right now on Upwork. You can find thousands of opportunities every day. Clients all around the world, in every industry, from small startups to the Fortune 500, turn to Upwork to find the talent they need for their teams and projects.

On Upwork, freelancers can find a wide range of opportunities, from short-term projects to ongoing work and contract-to-hire roles. Start in a contract position and transition into a full-time work arrangement if it’s a good fit. Upwork also provides the tools you need to manage your work in one place, including finding projects, communicating with clients, managing contracts, and getting paid securely. Whether you’re looking for flexible projects or longer-term opportunities, Upwork helps you connect with clients that match your skills, goals, and availability. Create an account and see what skills clients are hiring for right now on Upwork. 

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