How do you connect with passive job seekers?

1 Identify your target

Before you start reaching out to passive job seekers, you need to have a clear idea of who you are looking for and why. What kind of skills, experience, and industry are you interested in? What are your career goals and aspirations? How can you add value to the passive job seekers you want to connect with? Having a specific target will help you narrow down your search and tailor your message accordingly.

2 Use social media

Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook are great tools to find and connect with passive job seekers. You can use keywords, hashtags, groups, and filters to search for people who match your target profile. You can also follow influencers, thought leaders, and companies in your field to stay updated on the latest trends and news. When you find someone you want to connect with, don't just send a generic invitation or message. Instead, personalize your request by mentioning something you have in common, such as a mutual contact, a shared interest, or a relevant piece of content. Be respectful, friendly, and concise, and explain why you want to connect and what you hope to achieve.

3 Offer value

One of the main challenges of connecting with passive job seekers is that they may not have a strong motivation to respond to your message or engage with you. They are not looking for a job, so they may not see the benefit of talking to you. To overcome this obstacle, you need to offer value to them. Value can be anything that helps them solve a problem, learn something new, or improve their situation. For example, you can offer value by sharing useful information, resources, or insights; by inviting them to an event, webinar, or podcast; by introducing them to someone who can help them; or by giving them feedback, recognition, or praise.

4 Build rapport

Once you have established contact with a passive job seeker, you need to build rapport and trust with them. Rapport is the feeling of connection and mutual understanding that develops between people who communicate well. To build rapport, you need to show genuine interest in the person, listen actively to what they say, ask open-ended questions, and give positive feedback. You also need to be respectful of their time, preferences, and boundaries. Don't be pushy, aggressive, or salesy. Don't ask for favors, referrals, or recommendations right away. Don't spam them with messages or calls. Instead, focus on creating a friendly and professional relationship that can grow over time.

5 Follow up

The last step of connecting with passive job seekers is to follow up with them regularly. Following up means staying in touch with the person, keeping them informed of your progress, and providing them with more value. Following up also shows that you are reliable, consistent, and interested in maintaining the connection. You can follow up by sending a thank you note, sharing an update, asking for feedback, offering help, or sending a relevant article or resource. However, don't overdo it. Follow up only when you have something meaningful to say or offer, and respect the person's communication preferences and frequency.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?