Here's What To Say When The Recruiter Calls

Dear Liz,

I updated my LinkedIn profile and within a week I had my first-ever contact from a recruiter.

I'm 27. I'm a Content Marketing person and I know my field is hot because I see a lot of job ads for jobs like mine. I'm employed now but I'm ready for a step up.

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I added some visuals and project descriptions to my LinkedIn profile and that must have done the trick. I got a message on LinkedIn from Stacey, a recruiter.

I looked Stacey up on LinkedIn. I'd say she's about my age.  She works for a large recruiting firm.

She and I are supposed to talk by phone this weekend. I'm a little nervous. What should I say?

Thanks Liz! You are my career guardian angel.

Yours,

Danae

Dear Danae,

Congratulations! I am excited for you.

Before you get on the phone with Stacey, think through your call with her.

Stacey may have specific job openings she's trying to fill, or she may be adding to her candidate database right now in anticipation of new assignments she's hoping to get.

Think about what it would take for you to leave your current job. What do you need more of than you're getting now?

Maybe it's a bigger assignment. Maybe you need more money. Maybe you want to work in a faster-paced firm or work more closely with clients. Think about everything you care about in a job, not just the title and the pay package.

Think about how far you're willing to commute to work, and how important flexibility and the ability to work from home are to you.

When Stacey calls, she's likely to ask you what you're looking for. Give her a rough outline of your wish list, like this:

Stacey: What are you looking for in a new job, Danae?

You: I like my job but I need a faster-paced company where I can keep growing. Also, my pay is a little low for my experience and the contribution I make.

At this point Stacey is likely to ask you "How much are you earning now?"

Stacey: What are you getting paid right now?

You: It would take at least $70K to get me to change jobs.

Stacey: Is that what you're earning now?

You: As I mentioned I'm a little under the market salary, which my research tells me is around $70K. Is that workable from your standpoint?

A lot of clients (employers) want recruiters who work for them to get each candidate's current salary, but the fact that someone wants something doesn't mean you have to supply it.

Your current and past salaries are none of any recruiter's business or any employer's business, either.

You can tell Stacey that you view your current salary as private information — a concept she can surely understand, since she's not about to ask her employer clients to give up their payroll information.

I'm sure you would love to know what Stacey's clients are paying their Content Marketing people, but that information is off-limits. Your salary information is off-limits, too!

Tell Stacey that you're happy to share your target salary figure, which happens to be $70K.

Stacey may ask you detailed questions about your job description, your skills or your career plans. Some organizations and managers only want to hire people who will be content in one job.

Others are looking for new hires who want to grow with the company.

As you chat with Stacey, keep in mind that you are not a supplicant. You have a job. She needs you more than you need her. Recruiters like Stacey don't earn a penny unless they have candidates ready to take the jobs they are hired to fill.

As you talk with her, you will be checking her out as thoroughly as she checks you out.

If Stacey is rude or brusque with you, it will be a short call. You can always say "It doesn't sound like a fit,  but best of luck to you!" and get off the phone.

Stacey may ask you to send her your resume. If you do, get her agreement via email that she will only send out your resume to clients with your approval — that is, that you have to approve it every time Stacey wants to share your resume with an employer.

You are not limited to working with one recruiter during your job search.

However, it is easier to partner with one recruiter than a lot of different ones. Stacey may be the perfect partner for you if she is friendly, informative, a good listener and appreciative of your value.

If she is, celebrate! If she isn't, there are lot of other fish in the sea.

All the best,

Liz