What to Do When a Recruiter Reaches Out to You on LinkedIn®

As an Executive Search firm Morton Philips, uses LinkedIn® Recruiter daily to source, approach and engage with individuals globally, who are not necessarily actively looking for new employment opportunities. Our preferred method is to connect initially via LinkedIn® InMail and then move the conversation to the email/phone/Teams. We have been using this strategy for over 15 years and it has provided some phenomenal results.

Receiving a message from a recruiter on LinkedIn® can be both flattering and slightly daunting. Whether you are actively seeking new opportunities, quietly open to a conversation or not looking to change positions at the moment, it is important to handle these interactions with professionalism and in some cases caution.

Here is our Morton Philips guide to help you navigate this process:

1. Research the Recruiter and Their Organisation

Before you respond, take sometime to investigate:

·        Recruiter's background: Look at their LinkedIn® profile to understand their experience and credibility. Check for mutual connections and endorsements.

·        Company insights: Visit the company's LinkedIn® page and official website. Look for recent activities and to see if the recruiter in question is listed on their employee page. It is acceptable to phone the recruitment consultancy in question up (using the number published on their website) to discuss the position and confirm it is a real opportunity.

‍

2. Check if the Position is Advertised

It's useful to know if the job is publicly listed:

·        Search for the job posting: Check the company's career page and major job boards – including Seek and LinkedIn®.

·        Compare details: Ensure the job description provided by the recruiter matches any public listings.

·        Under the Radar Roles: Keep in mind that not all positions are advertised. In some circumstances it’s a question of cost, sensitivity around the role or their competition/sector or they have already run their own campaign with little success and now have engaged the Recruitment Consultancy to take over the process.

‍

3. Stay Safe and Sensible on LinkedIn®

LinkedIn® is a professional network but it's still a social media platform. Protect your personal information:

·        Limit personal details: Never share sensitive information like your home address, sensitive personal information and specifically your financial details.

·        Verify authenticity: If something feels off trust your instincts. Cross-check the recruiter's information and the company's legitimacy.

‍

4. Ask for the Position Description and Employer Details

To make an informed decision, gather as much information as possible:

·        Detailed job description: Request a comprehensive job description to understand the role's responsibilities, requirements and expectations.

·        Company culture and team structure: Ask about the work environment, team dynamics, reporting lines, expected remuneration, location of the role and any other details you deem relevant.

‍

5. Respond to the InMail

It's courteous and beneficial to respond to the recruiter, even if you're not interested:

·        Thank them or politely decline: A simple "Thank you for reaching out. I'm not interested at this time" is respectful and professional. Keep in mind that you may not be open to discussing opportunities at the moment but in the future, you may be grateful of the connection.

·        Help the recruiter: the timing may not be right for you, but you know the ideal candidate. Check with this person first for courtesy and permission and then advise the recruiter and identify a contact menthod.

‍

6. Reflect on Your Career Goals

Take this opportunity to reflect on your career aspirations:

·        Assess your current situation: Are you happy in your current role? Are there growth opportunities? How does the culture feel?

·        Consider the new opportunity: Does the new role align with your career goals and values? Update your resume and LinkedIn profile so they match and they're ready for your next potential opportunity. The fact that a recruiter has reached out to you means your profile is working and attracting professional interest.

‍

Handling recruiter outreach on LinkedIn® with professionalism and caution can open doors to new opportunities. By researching, verifying and responding thoughtfully you can navigate these interactions effectively and leave a positive impression.

Have you ever had a recruiter reach out to you on LinkedIn®? How did you handle it? Feel free to share your experiences!

‍