Some blunders are merely irritating, while others can make recruiters run when they hear your name.

AKA do not sabotage your relationship with a recruiter as it will hinder your chances in the long run.

If you’re trying to find a new job, recruiters can be your best friend along the way. They can match you with employers and roles that are perfect for your skills, interests and ultimately align with your values. 

On the other hand, you can alienate them and make them hate you.

That’s a bit intense, but there are behaviors that job seekers routinely do that are complete turn offs to recruiters. As a result, the people who could be hooking you up with a great gig might instead end up ditching you for a more approachable candidate.

Wondering what behaviors might put your file into a recruiter’s recycle bin? Here are the seven most common ways you could sabotage your relationship with a recruiter.

1. Being Unprofessional

Though a recruiter is not the hiring manager, you should still prepare to have an interview with the recruiter like you are presenting yourself to a hiring manager.

Bottom line: Recruiters don’t work for you; their actual clients are the companies with job openings. It’s wise to be on your most professional behavior. Mind your manners, offer intelligent answers to their questions all in all respecting their time and efforts in order for them to assist in finding you a job. If you can’t be bothered to make a good impression at this early stage of the process, why would the recruiters feel confident enough to pass you along to their clients?

2. Pulling A Fast One

When it comes to working with a recruiter, it is extremely important to be open and forthright. For example, if a particular position is slightly out of reach from a skills perspective, let them know. Remember that their choices are a reflection of their judgment. If your recruiter mentions a position that isn’t to your liking, give them some honest insight in order to let them know why that is.

3. Bringing Up Money In Your First Conversation 

Just as you wouldn’t walk into a job interview and ask about salary in the first five minutes, you should demonstrate that same restraint with your recruiter. The good news is that compensation will come up after you’ve told the recruiter a bit about yourself and when they have described the various positions available. Just be patient and wait it out.

4. You Are Inaccessible

It’s quite simple actually. If your recruiter can’t reach you in order to schedule an interview or deliver an offer, this can have a negative effect on your chances of landing the desired role. After all, recruiters are often evaluated by how quickly they can fill these positions. Be sure to let them know from the beginning as to your preferred method of communication, whether it be phone, email or text and stick to it. Be sure to check periodically so you don't miss any updates. Keeping the lines of communication open even after you are hired is also important.

5. Going Over The Recruiter’s Head

Another common mistake that job seekers make is contacting the employer directly when they’re also working with a recruiter. Part of a recruiter’s job is establishing a relationship with the employer and then presenting you in the best way possible. Otherwise, you’ll create confusion and make the recruiter look bad. All in all, just let them do their job!

6. You’re Such A Nag 

Recruiters are busy people often working with many potential candidates and trying to fill multiple positions for several clients simultaneously. As such, they might take some time in order to get back to you. While it’s certainly fine to politely follow up with them if you have not heard back in a few days time. However multiple calls and emails per day is on the verge of being plain obnoxious.

7. Ignore Their Feedback

Your recruiter has a lot of insight and knowledge when it comes to resumes and interviewing techniques, so do not take it personally if they give you constructive feedback. Having an attitude or taking offense to a recruiter’s advice will not help you in the long run. 

You just got back from the interview...congratulations! Now get out your pen and paper out because we’re going to brainstorm on how to thank your potential employer for the unique opportunity you got the chance to take advantage of.

Your interview thank-you note should be sent as soon as possible after the interview takes place.

The thank you letter sent after an interview is absolutely necessary for a successful job hunting strategy. You might be thinking “Should I send my Thank You letter by email or regular mail, handwritten or possibly typed? In today's fast-paced world, the question comes up with even the most sophisticated job seekers. You know you need to express gratitude for being considered for the position, so use these guidelines to determine exactly how to go about sending your personalized thank you letter. 

Should I Send A Thank You Note Via Email?

How did the company initially reach out to you? If you have always corresponded with people via email, then by all means correspond with your contact as soon as you return from the interview. However, make sure to follow it up with a typed note to show that you are not being casual about the opportunity. Emailed versions of thank you notes have one clear advantage over the handwritten letter, they can put your name in front of the interviewer on the same day. Time is of the essence, right?

What about old fashioned snail mail?

If the company you met with is more on the traditional side, use regular mail to send your thank you note.

Should it be handwritten or typed? Typed is the industry standard. Not only will you show that you are business savvy, but you'll also prove that you know how to put together a salutation, format a letter appropriately and then sign off on it. 

Handwritten notes are appropriate if you'd like to extend your thanks to others in the office who you felt helped you out. They are less common in this technological day and age but in some instances could be beneficial in boosting your chances.

What to say in your thank you note?

What you say and how you say it are more important than the manner in which you send it. A standard thank you note should include the following:

• Thank your contact for the opportunity to interview with them.
• Mention your most relevant skills: "This position would be a great fit for me because of ________________________ and my past experience at ______________________."
• Last but not least, make sure to cover some of the conversational highlights.

Interviewers are busy just like the rest of us. A thank you letter is your final chance to make yourself stand apart from the crowd of potential job seekers.

Even if there are currently no positions available, there could be at some point in time down the line. Think about your upcoming informational interview as if there's a job for you waiting in the wings. An informational interview can open doors in terms of your future career path.

Informational interviewing is a largely overlooked process because it is misunderstood. In an informational interview, you are seeking leads and information regarding an industry, a career path, or an employer by talking to people you know or who have been referred to you. But before you run out and begin the actual process, you have to do your homework. Follow these ten steps in order to prepare appropriately.

Identify What The Main Objective Is

Deciding which position, company or industry you want to learn about will depend on what you want to do with your potential career path. You should have a sense of what is important to you and ultimately what you want.

Make A List of Key People Currently In Your Network

Choose those individuals who can potentially help you connect to other people within a company or an industry. Since this is part of networking, you will want to include anyone and everyone you know.

Schedule The Appointment

Setting up a 15 to 30 minute interview with the person in question regarding their specialty. Most people will be more than happy to help you. Don't get discouraged if you find that some people are too busy to give you an appointment.

Create an outline for the session

This is your meeting and you’ve set the parameters. Don't assume that this person will give you the information you need unless you ask the right questions. Select questions that will give you the best return on investment. Use your time wisely and in turn, do not waste their time.

Conduct Yourself as a Professional

Dress and act in the role of the position that you are seeking. Know as much as possible about the company before the interview so you can ask informed and thought provoking questions.

Show Interest 

A little flattery goes a long way. Say something like, "________ gave me your name and told me that you're considered to be an expert in your field. How did you get started in that particular role?"

Be prepared to answer questions about what you're looking for.

Have a short personal statement prepared that you can present if you're asked about how your job search is going. Bring your latest resume, but don't offer it unless requested. Remember that the purpose of this interview is to obtain information and not necessarily land a job right at that moment.

Ask for Contact Names

Ask for other contacts in your field of interest. If no names are suggested, be grateful for any information or suggestions that are obtained from the interview. 

 Send thank-you and follow-up emails 

Thank the person at the conclusion of the interview and send a thank you letter stating your gratitude for the time given. Stay in touch with your contacts by connecting on LinkedIn and / or via email correspondence. Make sure to inform the person how helpful their suggestions have been.

Take advantage of any referrals you receive

In this process, you will have to take risks and stretch beyond your comfort zone. The informational interview is a source of power you can use to your advantage. With preparation, listening and follow through, you will find and utilize the power of people helping each other. Each step will take you closer to that highly desired job offer.