Just because you aren’t actively looking for a new job doesn’t mean you should ignore the job market. Developing a relationship with a trusted recruiting partner is strategically smart. It can benefit you in your present position, and it could put you in the #1 position if your employment desires ever change.
Align Yourself with the Right Recruiting Partner
Building a strong relationship with a recruiting partner that is well-versed in your industry can help expand your knowledge and skills, regardless of where you work. For example, you can learn what’s trending in the job market – things such as programming or other tools you (or your present employer) should know about and perhaps adopt. Or what specific skills are in greatest demand.
This kind of marketplace intelligence will give you a boost if you decide later on to make a change. Meanwhile, you’re up-to-date with the pulse of the market and professionally engaged beyond the confines of your present job.
The recruiter can also help you understand your current worth within the marketplace. They know what companies are offering in the way of salaries and overall compensation plans. They also know what sorts of creative strategies companies are using to attract difficult-to-find talent. For example, they may offer equity in the company to land a new enterprise architect.
The recruiter can learn more about you, too. You can describe for them your ideal job. The more they know about your skills, career desires, and so on, the easier it will be for them to see if – or how well—you might fit new positions they are working to fill. This could benefit you, but it also benefits them since their goal is to source the best-possible talent for their clients.
Take the Call
Let’s be honest – it’s flattering to be contacted by a recruiter who thinks you would be ideal for some new position. You don’t have to accept, but taking a few minutes to listen costs nothing and will benefit you. It reinforces that you’re a good person, a quality much appreciated by recruiters and companies looking to expand their teams.
Besides, even if you aren’t looking or even contemplating a job change, something about a different job could pique your interest. You could learn more, and if it doesn’t work out it may still leave the door open for future contact. You’ve added to your network, and that’s always a good thing in business.
But don’t go overboard. If you are not seriously interested in the position this recruiter has called about, be honest and transparent in your response. Interviewing for a position you’re not willing to commit to wastes everybody’s time and will certainly leave a bad impression with the company and with the recruiter.
Refer Someone Else
Networking makes the world go round. How excited would you be to learn that a past or present colleague or a LinkedIn connection has referred you for an outstanding new job opportunity? Without their proactive support, you would never have known about this job. You will never forget this kindness.
You can perform this same service for others. If a recruiter calls about an opening in which you aren’t interested, think about who you know that might be a good fit. Get that person’s permission, then pass along their name or have them contact the recruiter directly.
If your referral wins the position, that great new match will make you look great, too. If you’re aligned with a trusted recruiting partner yourself, as noted above, that added level of trust can give you greater confidence to refer those in your own network.
You can do this same thing whenever your current employer has an opening. And in this case, if the person you referred is hired, you’ll have a new co-worker with whom you are already familiar.
Never Say “Never”
No matter how much you love your current job, how do you know there isn’t something even better out there? Maybe not right now, but at some point in the future. After all, things can change – in the workplace or with your own career or personal interests and priorities. Building a strong relationship with a recruiter who is deeply familiar with your industry will expand your knowledge and network now and, perhaps, land you the job of your dreams in the future.