LinkedIn and recruiters

GMH1183

I don't have a specific question, but just want to get people's experience with recruiters on LinkedIn. I was recently contacted by a recruiter via LinkedIn. I'm currently happy with my job, have a lot of flexibility, and am not really looking for a change. But, it's always good to be open to new possibilities, right?

Anyway, this recruiter works for a specific company so is not a head hunter. We spoke on the phone, she asked for my résumé which I sent to her, and then she set up a phone call with the head of the department. I feel really weird and guilty about this. What is anyone else's experience with this kind of networking?

daisy662

It doesn't cost anything to listen. It's always good to know what your options are. This is great networking for the future even if it doesn't pan out now. It is always good to make professional connections.

PunkyBooster

That's how I got my new job

Karla CS

I used to turn down recruiter calls thinking it was unfair to my company.. until I realized that EVERYONE does it. They may or may not have an opportunity that's great for you, but you don't know until you talk to them. 

ss265

Just wanted to add that sometimes you may not appreciate your current position until you check out another employer.

I was thinking of leaving my previous employer for several years but various reasons compelled me to stay (green card, pregnancy etc.). When my son was three months old, a recruiter reached out to me via Linked In and I ended up interviewing and receiving a job offer from another company. I did not accept it even though the salary was higher because the commute was ridiculous and I wasn't sure about the new culture but it made me realize what I valued about the job I was at.

rubber_chicken

I've been contacted by numerous recruiters through linkedin, but even the ones who work in-house have turned out to be flaky.  Not returning calls, etc. I mainly ignore them now.

jschmidt6

I have been on Linkedin for about 4 months and have been recruited about once a month. I think this is the direction that recruiting is headed. I'm fine with it, it makes me feel like i have leverage to ask for a promotion. i can let management know that our biggest competitors are recruiting me. Also like PP said its nice to have a "back up plan" or to network.

SoMoNY

90% of them are a waste of time.

The best recruiters are the in-house ones.  That is how I ended up where I am, the in-house recruiter reached out to steal me from one of their main competitors.