“A headhunter is like a banker; he’ll loan you a job as long as you don’t need one.”

As an executive, or an aspiring one, you’re probably always looking for top talent to add to your team. But what about when a recruiter calls YOU out of the blue? Even if you’re not looking, there are seven very good reasons to take that call.

1. You might be open to a new opportunity. You just don’t know it yet.

You might not be actively looking, but that doesn’t mean you’re not open to the idea. If the role is a good fit at a company you admire, you might find yourself saying yes to an exciting new adventure. And a coffee with another executive in your industry can pay off even if you don’t make a move.

2. The market is always changing, and so are your options.

Even if you’re happy where you are, stay current on what’s out there. A recruiter can give you a sense of what other companies are doing and which roles fit your skills and experience.

3. It’s never too early, or too late, to plan your next move.

Have a strategy. Early in your career, a recruiter’s call can show you the roles and companies to aim for. Later on, a recruiter can help you move into a consulting, advisory or board role.

4. A recruiter is a valuable resource, even when you’re not looking.

Recruiters have their fingers on the pulse of the job market. They can help you understand pay ranges, trends and the skills in high demand, which helps whether you’re negotiating your current pay or planning a change down the road.

5. You never know when, or how, your next opportunity will knock.

There’s always an element of timing in finding the right role. Sometimes the best jobs come from people we know, and sometimes from complete strangers. Talking to recruiters puts you in the right place at the right time.

6. Keep your network strong. You never know when you’ll need it.

Your professional network is one of your most valuable assets. Strong relationships with recruiters make it much easier when you need a new job, or need great candidates for your own team.

7. The worst that can happen is you say no.

At worst, you spend 10 or 15 minutes on the phone, time most of us would spend scrolling anyway. Even then you’ve lost nothing and picked up valuable market information.

The Bottom Line

Take the call. You’ll gain insight into companies, pay trends and in demand skills, and you’ll build a relationship that can help you land your next role or fill a key seat on your team.

This article first ran on my LinkedIn in November 2022. You can read the original, and follow me for more, here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-reasons-take-recruiters-call-even-youre-looking-joe-pelayo.

I’m Joe Pelayo, an executive recruiter for 40 years and founder of Joseph Michaels International here in Dallas. We recruit for roles with base pay from 75K to 2 million, and one call to me reaches our network of 700 recruiters. Right now we have 1,633 open jobs.

Let’s Talk

Not looking, but curious what’s out there? That’s a great time to call me.

Call me at 1-800-786-1099 or email info@josephmichaels.com.

Joseph Michaels International, 13355 Noel Road Suite 1360, Dallas, TX 75240