5 Reasons You Should Talk to a Recruiter (Even When You Don’t “Need” One)

Having a specialized recruiter in your corner can be a major asset to your career. A top-notch recruiter can open career doors, provide market insights, and offer expert advice tailored to your situation when you need it. Here are five reasons to talk to a recruiter, even when you’re not looking for a new job.

?

1. VIP Job Market Access: Connect to Exclusive Opportunities

Recruiters have access to opportunities that you may not find on your own. With deep networks and long-standing relationships with hiring leaders, recruiters often fill positions that are never publicly posted. Whether a company is looking to backfill a retirement, prepare for an upcoming project, or support an acquisition, recruiters are often the first to know. If an incredible job happens to be “out there” but never makes it to a public posting, having a go-to recruiter could give you access to that role.

2. Dream Job Patrol: Track Your Ideal Position

Even if you’re not actively seeking a new position, there’s likely an “ideal job” that would catch your attention. Whether it’s a specific company, a particular industry, or a role with unique responsibilities, a recruiter can watch for that perfect fit to hit the market. By sharing your career aspirations and the criteria that would make you consider a move, your recruiter can notify you the moment an opportunity arises that aligns with your dream job.

This proactive approach ensures that you won’t miss out on your ideal role simply because you weren’t actively looking. It’s like having someone constantly scanning the horizon for the perfect career opportunity on your behalf.

?

3. Eyes on the Market: Share Insight into Market Trends

In today’s rapidly changing job market, understanding market trends for your industry, location, and leadership-level is critical to career success. Recruiters are at the forefront of industry developments and have a pulse on what hiring managers are looking for in candidates. They can help you benchmark your compensation and gauge how your skills align with current market demands.

4. Just In Case: Proactive Approach to Unexpected Changes

Life can be unpredictable, and an unexpected job search can happen to anyone. Establishing a relationship with a recruiter before you need one is a proactive way to protect your career. Should the need arise, you can quickly reach out to someone who knows your professional background and career aspirations (and you!). Knowing the recruiter on the other end of the phone can bring some comfort in those difficult moments that follow layoffs, reorganizations, and other unexpected changes.? Having a recruiter in your network also means you can expedite your job search process. The better your recruiter knows your preferences and goals, the more tailored the roles they present to you will be. This relationship becomes especially valuable when you need to hit the ground running in a job search, making the entire process more efficient and effective.

?

5. Career Coach: Resume, Interview and Offer Preparation

Talking to a recruiter before you launch a job search allows them to act as more of a career coach than a transactional source for job descriptions. Since you’ve “interviewed” with your recruiter once already, they may be able to provide proactive feedback that sharpens your interview skills as well as suggestions for your resume to compliment those adjustments. Once you reach the offer stage of the hiring process, a recruiter can also support any negotiation opportunities that arise (or, negotiate on your behalf in many cases). Negotiating is a thrill for some but highly stressful for others, and a recruiter advocating on your behalf can bridge that gap with market data and expert coaching. In every stage of the hiring process, a recruiter who knows you well can offer more tailored coaching that could be the difference between a good offer and a great one.

A relationship with a recruiter is more than just a transactional interaction; it's an investment in your long-term career. A great recruiter who is knowledgeable about your field, passionate about trust and integrity, and invests in lasting relationships, is worth a conversation. Even if you’re not planning a job change any time soon, your friendly neighborhood recruiter can add value to your career progression in a variety of ways. By taking the time to connect with a recruiter now—whether it's through a quick phone call or a friendly hello at a networking event—you’re setting the stage for future success in ways that will pay dividends over time.

Thank you to Lizzie Schaut for your insights and perspective on this topic!

?