7 Reasons to Take a Recruiter's Call (Even If You're Not Looking)

7 Reasons to Take a Recruiter's Call (Even If You're Not Looking)

?

"A Headhunter is like a banker; he'll loan you a job as long as you don't need one."

?

As an executive, or an aspiring one, you're probably always looking for top talent to add to your team. But what about when a recruiter calls YOU out of the blue? Even if you're not actively looking for a new opportunity, there are seven very good reasons to take that call.

?

1. You might be open to a new opportunity—you just don't know it yet.

When a recruiter calls with a new opportunity, it's important to keep an open mind. You might not be actively looking for a new job, but that doesn't mean you're not open to the idea of one. If the role is a good fit and the company is one, you're interested in, you might find yourself saying yes to an exciting new adventure. Besides, having a coffee with another Executive in your industry might be profitable even if you don't decide to make a move.

?

2. The market is always changing—and so are your options.

Even if you're happy in your current role, it's important to stay up-to-date on what else is out there. The market is always changing, and so are your options. By talking to a recruiter, you can get a sense of what other companies are doing and what kinds of roles might be a good fit for your skills and experience.

?

3. It's never too early (or too late) to start planning for your next move.

No matter where you are in your career, it's always helpful to have a plan for your next move. Have a strategy. If you're just starting out, a recruiters call can give you an idea of the kind of roles and companies you might be interested in down the line. And if you're nearing retirement, a recruiter can help you identify opportunities that will allow you to transition into a consultant, or advisor, or board role.

?

4. A recruiter can be a valuable resources—even if you're not looking for a job.

Recruiters have their fingers on the pulse of the job market, so they can be a valuable resource even when you're not looking for a job. They can help you understand salary ranges, upcoming trends, and skills that are in high demand. This information can be helpful whether you're negotiating your current salary or considering making a career change further down the road.

?

5 .You never know when (or how) your next opportunity will come knocking.

No matter how much planning and preparation you do, there's always an element of luck involved in finding the right opportunity at the right time. Sometimes the best jobs come from people we know—but other times, they come from complete strangers. By talking to recruiters, you increase your chances of being in the right place at the right time when an exciting new role comes along.

?

6 .It's important to keep your network strong—you never know when you'll need it.

Your professional network is one of your most valuable assets, so it's important to keep it strong even when you're not actively looking for a job. When you talk to recruiters, you have the opportunity to strengthen relationships and build rapport with people who could be invaluable resources down the road. Whether you need help finding a new job or finding qualified candidates for an open position on your team, having strong relationships with recruiters will make the process much easier.

?

7 .The worst thing that can happen is that you say no—but even then, it's not really "no."

At worst, taking a recruiter's call will mean wasting 10-15 minutes of your time—but even then, it's not really wasted time because...you were probably going to waste 10-15 minutes anyway! We all have time each day that we spend mindlessly scrolling through social media or reading articles that don't really interest us—so why not use that time wisely by talking to someone who could potentially improve your situation? The worst thing that can happen is that nothing comes of it—but even then, you've lost nothing and gained some valuable information along the way.

?

?

Conclusion:

?

As an executive, it's always beneficial to keep abreast of new opportunities that might come along--even if you're happy in your current role. By Talking with a recruiter ,you can gain valuable insights into different companies, salary trends, and skill sets that are currently in high demand. In addition ,a strong relationship with a recruiter may come in handy down the road should you ever decide to pursue another opportunity or need assistance filling a position on your staff. So next time a recruiter reaches out, take the call--you may be happy you did!