Ryan

People interested in working at Microsoft often contact me (and other recruiters, I’m sure) through LinkedIn. For me, this and other social networking sites are a great way for recruiters and candidates to connect, and I’ve made some great hires for Microsoft by using LinkedIn.

But when you reach out to recruiters online, it’s not the same as adding old high school friends on Facebook. Here are some tips for contacting recruiters on social networking sites:

  • Do your research: Check the careers site first. If there is a specific position you’re interested in, apply online and then include the position number and product group you’ve applied for when you contact us. The more work you’ve done, the easier it is for us to help you out.
  • Be professional and polite: Make sure you leave a good impression. Even if we’re not able to help you the first time around, we may keep you in mind for future opportunities.
  • Know your audience: Each of us at Microsoft is aligned to a specific business group. For example, I focus on hiring technical individuals for the CRM and BI products and technologies within the Microsoft Business Division. If you are a finance candidate and you reach out to me, I’m less likely to be able to help you as that is not my area of focus. Try searching for a recruiter at Microsoft with keywords specific to your expertise and reach out to them.
  • Be patient and understanding: Try your best to stay calm if a recruiter doesn’t get back to you right away. Some may not check their social networking site accounts often or could be out of the office when you try to contact them, so don’t take it personally.

Generally, if the candidate seems like a good fit for the company, I will forward his or her information on to either a resume distribution list within Microsoft or to a specific recruiter. The more clues you give us about your areas of interest and future goals, the better able we are to put your information in the right hands. And remember, even if you don’t hear back from a recruiter you’ve reached out to, you’re no worse off for trying.

Happy hunting!

-Ryan

Work at Microsoft!