How to Reply to a Recruiter in 2022

Finding a job is always a challenge for both sides. The candidate is trying to show his best side to get the desired position. And the recruiter, in turn, must cold-bloodedly select applicants to find the person who will bring the most significant benefit to the company.

And both sides use every opportunity to find the right person for a particular position. It’s 2022, so recruiters are unlikely to find your phone numbers in random ads or email you. In the 21st century, LinkedIn has become the best assistant in searching for candidates. Nearly 80% of recruiters use this platform, so you should be prepared to have your profile scrutinized. However, the LinkedIn profile writing service can help you with that.

Since contact with the recruiter cannot be avoided, you need to know how to reply to a recruiter on LinkedIn.

What to Say to a Recruiter in an Email?

No one pattern works in all cases. However, we would like to analyze the most common situations when a recruiter can write to you.

An Invitation For an Interview

Many people stop at this point and spend a lot of time thinking about the best answer. However, this doesn’t seem right because the recruiter probably wrote not only to you, and therefore every second counts.

At first, you may be invited for a telephone interview – this is a common practice. How to respond to a recruiter in this case? Everything is simple.

First, say hello and thank the recruiter for contacting you. Say that you are genuinely interested in talking to the recruiter. Just in case, ask if you need to prepare any additional information for the interview.

If a recruiter invites you for a phone interview, be sure to indicate the time when you will be free. You need to fill in the quick line with the appropriate date and time.

Invitation For a Second Interview

In modern companies, there are several interviews, and it is normal. Get ready for this invitation to meet in person or through various platforms like Zoom.

You should express your desire to meet again. Write when you will be free and specify whether this time will be convenient for the recruiter.

Sometimes the HR department may send candidates a link indicating free time. It is one of the planning tools for recruiters. Even if you were sent such a link, it would not be superfluous to mention the time in the email.

Be as brief as possible but polite.

A Recruiter Invited You for a “Chat”. How to Reply to Show You Are Interested in the Job?

Since this is very vague wording, this is neither an invitation to an interview nor an explicit rejection. Many in such moments fall into despair, but it is not necessary. Chances are that HRs have a few questions for you that they didn’t find answers to on your LinkedIn profile.

Say hello and thank a recruiter for reaching out again. Be casual and open, don’t show your suspicion or tension. Determine a convenient time for you. And that’s all.

How to Respond to a Recruiter Asking For a Resume?

You may have many questions because the HR department should already have a resume. You might be thinking, “What if they found errors on my resume? Or maybe they want an updated resume?”

Everything is not so. The fact is that your resume and the truth can be lost or damaged. Don’t worry. Briefly answer the recruiter that you are attaching your resume to the letter. You can express your desire to meet again.

How to Reply to Recruiter in Case of Refusal?

Rejection is not the time to despair. Recruiters may have decided that you are not a good fit for the company, and they politely inform you of that. We understand that rejection can be very upsetting for you, but in no case should this affect your communication with the recruiter.

Thank the HR department for breaking the news to you. Gently ask about what they did not like in your resume/interview. Do that carefully and unobtrusively. For example: “How can I improve my resume/interview to become more competitive? Is there anything I should work on?”

Recruiters appreciate good manners and don’t mind giving advice. By working on your mistakes, you get better every time.

By the way, you should not completely cut off communication with the recruiter at this point. If a recruiter has a good impression of you, they may remember you in a similar position and write to you again.

How to Respond to a Job Opportunity Email You Are Not Interested In?

As we have already said, a recruiter can reach you and tell you about a new position.

Sometimes such messages should be ignored, especially if they are filled with too optimistic content. These could be scammers.

However, if everything is in order, you can simply thank the recruiter for contacting you. Politely decline the offer while responding to a recruiter. Say that you are happy with your current job. Or specify that you would like precisely the desired position and not any other. However, do it delicately.

How to Respond to a Job Interest Email if You Are Unsure About It?

A recruiter may suddenly write that you are suitable for a position. It can make you look at your career differently. Maybe you would like to try. But what are the benefits of the place the recruiter is talking about?

Thank the recruiter for contacting you. Say that you like your current position, but the offer sounds great. Express your interest and ask if you can discuss the conditions in more detail. Be sure to indicate when you will be free, and ask about the most convenient time for the recruiter to contact you.

More Tips on How to Respond to a Job Opportunity Email

Create the right impression of yourself

Be polite and reasonably concise. Don’t make your call to a recruiter too emotional, but don’t be too unemotional either. Show your interest in communication.

Answer fast

As we have already mentioned, every second counts. It may be a bit of an exaggeration, but recruiters really appreciate a quick response. If you think too long, it will become a sign that you are not interested in the position.

Avoid slang words and informal communication.

When communicating via email, you should look like a professional. Your conversation with a recruiter should be similar to a discussion with a manager. Stick to restraint and severity in the form of expression. Remember that a recruiter is not your best friend. Always re-read your letter before sending it to reduce the risk of making mistakes.

Read More: The Top 10 Skills Recruiters Are Looking For in 2022
5 Tips for Turning Your Resume into a Job-Winning Interview

Bottom Line

Your reply to the recruiter should not be templated. It is a simple, quick response that marks the beginning of your communication. Give your best during this correspondence because your future may depend on it. But your LinkedIn profile is the first thing a recruiter will see. Therefore, optimize your page make it the most informative for the HR department. Or you can rely on professionals to do it for you.