Most likely, you have had a recruiter reach out to you within the last year. In this day and age, there are a lot of us out there helping companies look for “hard to find” talent in this ever-so-difficult market. Maybe you responded or maybe you didn’t, but here’s why it never hurts to respond to a recruiter.
Whether a recruiter sends you a message via LinkedIn or calls you directly, it is not a bad idea to respond with a simple, “Thanks for reaching out, but I’m not interested.” Why, you might ask? It forms a connection and then down the road you have a recruiter you can keep top of mind should you need one. This could be due to a mass layoff, a life event, or you’re just simply ready to move on. Obviously, if you are interested in learning more about the opportunity, it is a no-brainer to respond to the message.
This does not mean that by not responding to a recruiter you are “burning a bridge.” However, as recruiters, we really do appreciate those people who take an extra minute or two out of their day to respond or even give us a call back. It truly is a “win-win” for both parties involved.
Relationship building is extremely important and by keeping in contact with a recruiter, even a couple times per year, you are forming a long-lasting relationship.
If you are looking to build a relationship with a recruiter, even if you are not looking for a new position at this time, feel free to reach out!
Luke Strawhecker
Luke joined Aureus Group in January of 2019. He recently transitioned from a Finance and Accounting Recruiter role serving Iowa and Kansas City markets, to focusing on direct-hire Accounting and Finance recruiting in Nebraska. Luke is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Kearney and is an avid Nebraska Huskers fan. In his free time, Luke attends Nebraska sporting events, goes to the CrossFit gym, spends time with friends and family, or travels.
