Before You Decline that Recruiter Message...

Job Seekers: Be aware that if you decline a message from a recruiter due to disinterest in a presented opportunity further communication is disallowed for most of us thereafter.

A number of (& maybe even the majority of) recruiters utilize a LinkedIn sourcing tool that is quite efficient in many respects. Called “LinkedIn Recruiter”, this tool allows us to locate your profile via à la carte sourcing strategies, going beyond our reach of just the “regular” LinkedIn platform. This means, we can find you and your preferences confidentially and quickly.

However, it seems that many job seekers are not aware that once you “Decline” a message from a recruiter via the LinkedIn Recruiter Tool—which, again, a good number of us are using—we no longer have the ability to communicate with you further, thereafter.

Once you “Decline” a message from a recruiter via the LinkedIn Recruiter Tool we no longer have the ability to communicate with you--efficiently or conveniently--thereafter.

Certainly, it is understandable that you may have zero interest in further communication. However, I personally receive a number of people who will "decline" a job opportunity message due to location (for example), or else something else specific to that role only, and then ask that I keep them in mind for future roles. But, because of the impotent, "Sorry, you can’t send a reply because your message was declined." there is no way (or else, highly-limited ways) to reply or actually keep you in mind for future roles.

As a recruiter and, at times a detective of sorts, sure there can be loopholes to getting in touch with you again. As you might imagine (and to the dismay of some) a big part of our job is figuring that piece out. But, in all truth, it can be exasperating. Due to an often extreme number of contacts in our roles, I speculate that it may also be preferable for recruiters in those (frequent) moments of distress to dismiss the detective-work required in figuring a way around the system and instead opt for reaching out to others who remain more accessible. Speaking for a fellow recruiter-friend, not myself of course:)

Lastly, unfailingly, there are those rare... RARE...prospects who have zero interest in hearing from a recruiter for all of time. Maybe you, yourself, do not intend on being open to a job opportunity any time soon or maybe ever. Yet, as we all know, the only consistency in life is inconsistency, so eventually, if you ever are-- by some bleak off-chance-- open to an opportunity or your circumstances change, the recruiter previously "declined" will still remain in that ‘no access’ to initiation zone from your declined election months+ prior.

Just something to keep in consideration before you choose to “Decline” a recruiter message.

Happy Hunting!

Emily Seder

I am an open-networker and welcome the opportunity to connect with you. Feel free to add me on LinkedIn