Knowing when to speak to a recruiter can save you valuable time and effort. 

In January of 2015, the unemployment rate in the United States was at 5.7 compared with September 2021, which was 4.8. Industries are transforming and sectors are shrinking; however, unemployment is declining, and recruiters are “smiling and dialing” faster than ever.

I recently spoke with clients and executive job seekers who are currently being barraged with calls from executive recruiters.

What I’m learning is discouraging because many recruiters are misrepresenting their corporate client opportunities with vague inquiries and bait-and-switch routines.

Many of my colleagues and good friends are quality recruiters with impeccable integrity. However, as in any industry there are inexperienced recruiters in the marketplace who are not worth your time.

Many are sourcing dozens of opportunities at once, it’s a numbers game and the fastest hires produce the fastest fees, while filling the recruiter’s pipeline for future opportunities.

Put yourself in control of the process and take a leadership position by pre-qualifying the recruiting firm before you speak with them. You will avoid wasting time and emotional energy by choosing to only speak with recruiters who match your criteria.

We have prepared an article that reveals scripts that you can use when interacting with recruiters, gives real life examples of red flag interactions between recruiter and prospective employee, and gives instruction on how to effectively qualify recruiting firms.

For example, I understand from many executives I speak with regularly that recruiters want to know their current salary.

I disagree with offering this confidential information to recruiters. Disclosing your targeted salary is appropriate at the appropriate time. A recruiter whose initial call is focused exclusively on your salary is quickly trying to pre-qualify you for an open role.

This type of approach is in the best interest of the recruiter, but not necessarily in the best interest of you, the candidate.

See the article and get your list of trusted recruiter firms here.

I’ve been honored by Beyond Exclamation! Magazine as “Beyond’s Top 10 Most Insipring CEOs to Watch Out in 2021” See the article here.