Revealed! How Recruiters Find Candidates to Hire

Understand how Recruiters find candidates to hire

By Selipha Kihagi

Ever wondered why a position you were suitably qualified for got filled by somebody else? Or why you got to see a position suited to your qualifications too late a time to apply? Your answer to these two questions has a common determinant – recruiters. It is through how recruiters find candidates that determine the difference.

For employers to hire in new positions, they need recruiters to do the “dirty work” for them. They come up with a job description for the role, advertise the positions on different mediums and start the recruiting process. You can read more here about the recruiters’ process step by step to understand more.

To find a job opening in good time, make your application for consideration, and later get to the interview, you must understand how recruiters find candidates. Searching through career websites and making applications as directed will not be enough. You need to remember that most job sites put up positions when recruiters have made the decision to advertise. So, let’s explore more about how recruiters find candidates.

How Recruiters Find Candidates to Hire

Recruiters will always be either in-house or external; in-house recruiters hire on behalf of the company they work for, while external recruiters hire on behalf of different employers. With external recruiters, they work in recruitment firms and agencies. You can read more about how recruitment agencies in Kenya work here. Regardless of which recruiter you work with, how you get found and called to an interview today remains common.

Here are 3 ways recruiters use to find candidates;

1. Using LinkedIn

As Corporate Staffing, we have emphasized the need for candidates to be on LinkedIn on various occasions. So have other recruiters and employers. The professional site allows recruiters to head hunt and interact with potential employees. And based on your profile, recruiters can understand your qualifications, experience background and even what positions you are interested in.

So whenever these recruiters have an open position and you have an updated profile that can easily be found by recruiters, then you are good to be selected. The other good thing is that you can always reach out to potential employers and recruiters yourself. Make yourself visible to recruiters on LinkedIn using these simple steps.

2. Using job sites and personal websites

The other way recruiters find candidates to hire is by posting their open positions through sites such as Career Point, Brighter Monday and most importantly, their company websites. Open positions at Corporate Staffing for example, are always posted on this website. This is why it is always encouraged that you register to receive alerts whenever a position is open. You get to find it on time and make an application among the very first people, which makes it easier for recruiters to find your CV and remember you.

One thing to note with this form of applications though, is that the CV you use to apply must be well done. What this means is that it should include industry specific words and relate to the job description. If the advertised job title reads Sage Accountant, make sure your application reads exactly that in the title. Most recruiters will not go through each single application and will instead use key words to sift through. That’s why most adverts insist on a specific subject title to use in your email. If you are not sure about your CV, you can always consult a CV writing expert.

3. Recruiters find candidates using referrals

This is what most people in Kenya like to refer to as “knowing people”. Call it as you may, but employee referrals are very common and that’s why most candidates who get hired usually have a connection. There is nothing strange or wrong with having connections, you just need to make sure that you also have recruiters, employers and people working in your industries as connections.

Recruiters will always reach out to the people they know or other employees when head hunting to fill a position. It is up to you to make sure that the referral given is yours. Attend networking events, use LinkedIn and other professional means to connect with people as much as you can. You never know when recruiters will contact you, just like this lady made connections with a recruiter in a matatu.

All in All

Getting hired in Kenya requires job seekers to understand the hiring process, recruiters and even advertisements in and out. Know what recruiters are looking for and give them exactly that. You may be tempted to complain about favouritism, not getting called to an interview or even your lack in experience for most positions.

But at the end of the day, it is the candidates who decided not to complain and figured how recruiters find candidates that will get hired. Forget about other applicants for a moment and focus on making yourself stand out.

Got a question on recruiters or the recruiting process? Say it in the comments.

12 Comments

  1. Hello Irene,

    Not getting called for interviews is not always about your CV, but includes other factors too. Kindly refer to this article >>https://www.corporatestaffing.co.ke/applying-for-jobs-without-feedback/

  2. Hi, I have been applying jobs but never get feedback. what might be the problem and my cv is professionally written by you guys

  3. halo, i ave applied for many jobs here for the last six months, i ave even visited your office westlands,i was told by receptionist tat my cv is good continue, bt upto date not even one interview, what may be the problem.

  4. I have, been applying for various posts some of which i feel very qualified (The latest being customer Service Executive). Some of them are even within industries i have worked. But all i get are notifications that my CV has been received.

    What criteria do you people use to shortlist?

  5. I have been Job seeking since last year , I got my cover letter done and my CV endorsed by one of your CV experts. but I have gone for fewer interviews than I have anticipated. Could you advice me on what I should do? I visiting your office adviceable and is there a charge for the professional advice I may be given? Kindly advice

  6. Hi Evance,

    For you to get a job through us you do not need to pay anything. Visit our latest jobs page and apply to the ones you meet qualifications then we will invite you for an interview.

  7. Hi Rachael,

    You can visit our offices in Westlands with a copy of your CV and ask to speak to one of our career advisers.

  8. I have been applying jobs but I have never been called how can you advise me please or I visit your office in Westlands

  9. Hallo,thank you for giving new entrants into the job market, a refuge with advice.
    My question is, What details do you include when an interviewer asks you to talk about yourself? I find this very challeging.
    Thank you.

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