Companies are engaging in a war for talent. Millions of Americans have quit their jobs in the Great Resignation trend, seeking better pay and new opportunities. The job market, in many sectors, is blazing hot. Two of the most in-demand jobs are recruiters and human resources professionals.
It’s highly likely that you will be contacted by one of them. This could be both flattering and awkward, if not handled deftly. If a recruiter calls you on the phone or reaches out through a LinkedIn message or unsolicited email or text, you may initially feel that it’s intrusive. You wonder how they got ahold of your personal data.
Before the pandemic, a call on your smartphone and the ensuing whispering and darting into a conference room was a dead giveaway that you are speaking with a recruiter. Now that most people are remote, the concern over a co-worker or boss finding out has eased.
As a Gen-Xer, we grew up using the rotary phone to speak with friends, as emails and text messages didn’t exist at that time. This generation primarily used the phone as the preferred method of communication. I’m comfortable with making and taking calls, as that’s what recruiters have mostly done—up until recently. I recognize that Millennials and Gen-Z workers feel differently about unsolicited contacts.
Don’t let that thought bother you. They aren’t purposefully being rude. It’s part of the dance. Recruiters, since they get paid based upon placing people, are highly motivated to find people who are appropriate for the role they’re searching for, on behalf of their corporate clients, and have their ways to get in touch with you.
What You Should Do When A Recruiter Contacts You
Unless it’s one of those clearly, obviously suspect types of solicitations, you should at least respond to a message from a recruiter. Even if you’re not searching for a new job, it’s a great way to inquire about the job market in your field and the compensation ranges for your particular role. If, however, you are open to looking for a new opportunity, it’s a fortuitous contact at the right time.
If you are free to talk or engage, take advantage of the situation. It’s fine to ask the recruiter how they found you and inquire about who they are and the types of roles the person specializes in. The goal is to feel out the recruiter to see if they are a good person to work with. Just be yourself. There’s no need to play games, like playing “hard to get.”
If you are interested in the opportunity that is being shared with you, let them know. If not, be direct and honest. Respectfully decline it and ask for you to be kept on their radar for future opportunities. If you feel guilty turning down the offer, recruiters love referrals. You can point them to someone you know that has a similar background to you and is interested in seeking out a new opportunity. As we’ve seen in 2020, as the pandemic raged and millions of Americans lost their jobs, you never know when having a relationship with a recruiter will come in handy.
The recruiter should not ask for any money, since it is standard procedure for corporations to pay a placement fee to the executive search firm. If the role presented seems intriguing, let the recruiter know that you’d like to pursue the opportunity. To ensure that you are both on the same page, be direct. Share a brief summary of your background, responsibilities, prior employment history, compensation requirements and the specific roles and target companies you desire.
Since the communication wasn’t planned, you may have a legitimate commitment and can’t engage right now. Be honest with the person. Let them know that you have a meeting, but would like to continue the conversation (via email, text, Zoom video or phone call).
A Little About Recruiters
The majority of recruiters work on a contingency basis. This means that a company shares a job listing with them, but also gives it out to other recruiting firms, posts it on job boards and lists it on the corporation’s own career section of its site. It’s then a race to see who will find the right candidate for the role that will ultimately get hired.
Recruiters only get paid if they place the winning candidate. It’s a harsh “eat what you kill” profession. If your candidate is a runner-up, the recruiter doesn’t receive a commission and all the hard work and long hours were for nothing.
With this in mind, they are highly motivated to find you a job. If you aren’t a great fit, they’ll quickly move onto other applicants. That’s why you feel the brush-off from them.
What A Recruiter Should Do
A good recruiter should introduce themself and tell you about the role. This includes the company’s name, title of the job, salary range, corporate title, responsibilities and other pieces of relevant information, so you can make an intelligent decision to pursue this further.
You want to make sure that the recruiter really understands what you do in your current job, so there is no miscommunication. A good recruiter will have a solid grasp and knowledge of the job they are pitching you. They’ll possess an in-depth knowledge of the company, its culture, the reporting structure and the compensation package.
A good recruiter is empathetic and a good active listener. A successful recruiter asks questions designed to understand your needs and goals. They won’t push you into a position that you don’t want.
The recruiter is an advocate for you. They should provide you with feedback, prepare you for all interviews, keep you posted on the process and help with salary negotiations. You want to feel that they believe in you and will always treat you with courtesy, respect and dignity.
Most often, the first pitch won’t be the perfect job. If you feel that although the job isn’t the right fit, but you like the recruiter, stay in touch with them. Recruiting isn’t a science. It could be months before an on-target, suitable and appropriate role opens up. If you maintain a relationship, you’ll be on their radar, and they’ll happily contact you about the new opportunity.
Source: Forbes
