How to Make Recruiters Come to You (Even Without Applying)

Tired of applying to jobs and hearing nothing back?

You're not alone. The HIM job market is saturated with candidates who look the same on paper — same certs, same experience, same resume templates.

But there’s another group of professionals who rarely apply for jobs.

Why? Because recruiters come to them.

This post breaks down how to become one of those people — even if you’re not famous, don’t have 10 certifications, and aren’t ready to post on LinkedIn every day.

You’ll learn exactly how to build a digital footprint that pulls recruiters to you using subtle, low-effort strategies you can set up in a weekend.

1. Fix Your LinkedIn Foundation

• Your Headline = SEO bait. It should say who you help, how, and what role you’re targeting (e.g., "Revenue Cycle Analyst | Denials Management | CRCR-Certified").

• Photo, banner, and location: These build immediate trust. Don't skip them.

• About section: Tell your value story, not your life story. Use keywords.

📌 Pro Tip: Use my HIM LinkedIn Optimization Blueprint to shortcut this entire section.

2. Add the Right Keywords — Everywhere

• Use keywords from job listings you want.

• Drop them in your:

  • Skills section

  • Job descriptions

  • Headline

  • Summary

• Avoid fluff like “hard-working” or “team player” — that doesn’t show up in recruiter searches.

  
  

3. Make Your Resume Searchable (Even When You’re Not Applying)

• Upload your resume to LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and AHIMA Career Center.

• Use filenames like: “Shonda_Holloway_RHIT_Compliance_Analyst.pdf”

• Make sure the PDF has searchable text (not an image screenshot).

  
  

4. Turn On 'Open to Work' (Strategically)

• Use “Open to Work” settings only visible to recruiters.

• Target specific titles — don’t use vague ones like “Any HIM role.”

• Update it every 30 days to stay visible in LinkedIn’s recruiter filters.

  
  

5. Engage (Without Being Annoying)

You don’t have to post daily. Just:

• Comment on 3–5 HIM-related posts per week.

• Repost something insightful with a short caption.

• Like posts from hiring managers and recruiters in your field.

📌 Bonus: Post once a month about a certification, win, or insight — just to show you’re alive and growing.

6. Position Yourself as a Specialist, Not a Generalist

• Pick 1–2 HIM focus areas (e.g., denial trends, chart audits, charge capture).

• Talk about those consistently — in your profile, resume, and small talk.

• Specialists get hired. Generalists get ghosted.

  
  

7. Make It Easy to Reach You

• Add a dedicated Gmail address to your LinkedIn and resume (not your day-job email).

• Use Calendly or a simple “Book a 15-min call” link if you’re open to recruiter chats.

• Keep your voicemail professional. (Yes, they still call.)

  
  

Final Word:

Recruiters aren’t ignoring you — they just don’t know you exist (yet).

Set yourself up to be found. Stay consistent. And focus on visibility, not just volume.