I’ve experienced this many times myself or heard similar stories from candidates. And of course, I know the feeling well since I reach out to candidates daily for jobs we’re filling for our clients. I’m always surprised why some candidates don’t respond (even after friendly reminders) or just decline without a word. 🙅♀️
Fortunately, it doesn’t happen too often, but I still wonder why such opportunities are often missed.
On the one hand, I can totally understand that in certain professions, candidates might receive many (and not always professional 😱) messages, which they just “click away.” ❌
BUT you might be missing out on great opportunities! 🚀 Here are some good reasons to think twice about whether it might be worth at least having an initial conversation if the message seems interesting:
🎯 You might be happy now, but things can change suddenly due to a change in leadership, restructuring, mergers, or other economic shifts. Wouldn’t it be good to already know a headhunter who operates in your field?
🎯 Connections with headhunters working on an exclusive mandate basis give you access to the so-called hidden job market – positions you can’t simply apply for yourself.
🎯 Your chances are much higher when you go through a headhunter because there’s a targeted pre-selection, and only a few candidates are presented to the client.
🎯 When you’re forced to look, you rarely find exactly what you’re looking for. But if you keep your eyes and ears open, you might come across your dream job, and you might be willing to switch.
🎯 A conversation with headhunters allows you to specify exactly what you might be open to, so you can be targeted more accurately in the future.
🎯 Professional headhunters know the market and trends, can offer tips, and are valuable sparring partners.
Even if you’re not actively looking for a job right now, it can be beneficial and even good for your career to respond to (professional and reputable!) inquiries from headhunters. Why? As the old saying goes: “Build your network before you need it.” 😉
A short conversation can be very insightful: You’ll learn about the current market, potential opportunities, and how your skills and experiences are valued. It gives you insights and opens doors you might not have considered. 🗝️ And it can result in a valuable networking contact! 🚀
Honestly, 20-30 minutes for an initial phone conversation isn’t too much if you want to build your professional network.
So next time you receive a message from a headhunter, think twice before leaving it unanswered. Your dream job or maybe just a friendly and valuable contact could be waiting for you. 😀📬
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