If you have a good job, when do you respond to a recruiter's call?

Anonymous

October 19,2022 at 5:33PM UTC

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If you have a good job, when do you respond to a recruiter's call?

I have a good job, with a great leader, in a wonderful location with manageable flexibility. The company kind of sucks at times - it's a multistate really challenging industry. I'm doing more than one person's job because of financial issues and hiring freezes.

It takes a lot of time to interview, prep, coordinate and follow up.

In the past month I had a really poor experience with a recruiter. I know not every interview results in a job. I got another call for something that seems interesting, and more money, but not perfect. What is perfect! And then you really never know if your own job is secure. You just never know!!!

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AnonymousOctober 19,2022 at 6:26PM UTC
If I have any interest in the company, the role, or know the recruiter, I will at least have an initial conversation to find out more. It's not just exploring the potential position but building a relationship, networking, and maybe if its not something for me right now I can pass along to someone else in my network.
And you're right...you never really know.
Alexis GladstoneOctober 19,2022 at 6:59PM UTC
I used to always listen to what they had to say, even when I didn't think I wanted to leave. When I wasn't "in the market" I had a list of the things that would make me interested enough to interview. If the conversation with the recruiter didn't match the important ones, I didn't pursue it.
If nothing else you find out what is out there, and you never know if something might interest you.
Like you said, you never really know if your job is secure.
AnonymousOctober 24,2022 at 3:20PM UTC
I feel the same as you. In fact, I was contacted by a recruiter when I wasn't in the market but I listened. I had no plans to leave the employer I was with. Long story short, I accepted the position the recruiter contacted me about. It's been a year now and I absolutely made the correct decision.
Alexis GladstoneOctober 24,2022 at 5:58PM UTC
That's amazing. I love hearing stories like this!
Jourdan CobbsOctober 19,2022 at 7:42PM UTC
If you have the energy for initial calls, I say why not keep those doors open.
Even if it is not a fit or doesn't work out this time, ask to connect with the recruiter on LinkedIn - life is weird and timing is everything, you never know when you will cross paths with someone again! You might also know someone else to refer to the recruiter if it's not for you and can make a connection there.
As you talk to others and explore, you always have to keep in mind that no place is perfect, and some places are close to perfect now but may not be that way 3 years from now, so just keep your values to ground you in these efforts and always come back to them if you are unsure.
AnonymousOctober 19,2022 at 10:45PM UTC
You don’t and should not solely rely on recruiters to land your next job. Doing a mix you might come to find that you might do a better job than some recruiters depending on who you get, with that said, carve out time to apply to 15 jobs or more a week. Find search engines that cater to your industry or job target. Proceed directly to comoanies of interest and apply directly. Ensure your resume and cover letter hits on most of the key word descriptors of the job to ensure better chances of getting your package at least past the software used to eliminate applicants.
AnonymousOctober 19,2022 at 10:51PM UTC
But you do know you career path, personal goals and you always have a sense of where you would like to be.
AnonymousOctober 20,2022 at 12:35PM UTC
Having been in recruiter for over 30 years I suggest you always listen and I say that because I’ve seen situations change within days sometimes hours of when I spoke to someone you never know when a company’s going to merge have layoffs budget cuts whatever always have your name in a pipeline
AnonymousOctober 24,2022 at 7:49PM UTC
If the market stays where it is, suggest recruiters stay more engaged and give updates. I know you're busy but if you called me and then I did everything you asked only to wait for a month to hear, thank you, no, something, I'm not answering your call again. A little note saying, I'm still waiting is perfect.
Lewandok14October 23,2022 at 2:47PM UTC
Always take the call. Always. Even if it's not the right time or right fit, it never hurts to build a relationship with a recruiter. You just never know!
AnonymousOctober 24,2022 at 7:47PM UTC
I have twice been offered jobs through outside recruiters. Once I accepted, and it was a bad experience and I didn't stay long. Declined at the last moment the other time. And I still think it was the best idea.