Should I respond to competitor's while not currently looking to leave my company?
Curious what the standard is here. Someone from HR from a direct competitor reached out to my personal email and wanted to schedule a chat for one of their open positions. I'm not looking to leave my current company at all and not even really open to having a chat about the future either. However I would like to keep the door open at this company in case I ever had to leave my current company. Should I just not reply back or respond saying I'm not currently looking to leave but to let me know of future opportunities?
I ask because another competitor reached out to me a few months ago and I basically told them to let me know of future opportunities and was not currently looking to leave. However when I started having second thoughts about my current company, and reached back out, they just ignored me completely, even after following up. So I guess I came off wrong? I just don't want to repeat any mistakes with handling HR from other companies. Definitely don't want to be burning bridges with any possibly future employers. Thanks in advance.
It's always wise to build your network and maintain contact. Later in life, most of your best opportunities will come from these developed relationships that never get posted on any job site or require a HH. It never hurts to see what's out there. You're not committing to do anything about it.
Thanks for the response. Totally get it and agree. However, this position is already on their site (they sent me the link to apply) and it's the same exact position I have now. It would be a complete lateral.
Agree with everyone - never hurts to chat and see what's up. They've reached out twice, they are clearly interested. But, to your specific point about it being a lateral move, you're probably 95% dead on. But, without talking to them you won't know any nuances. Maybe there's something slightly different or more intriguing about what the roll there entails. Most times, in my experience, the job description is a canned HR fishing net. You really won't know until you talk through the bullet points that anyone can throw on a page. On the flip side, in talking with them you'll also confirm if it is a lateral move and if the situation at your current company is better.
It never hurts to have a chat, see what comp is, and see your market value and growth opportunities at the other firm. You can always take the call and at the end say it sounds great; but no thank you. I am not quite ready to leave my firm but I thought I would take the call and listen just in case.
Exactly
I always take the call. It keeps your interview game sharp and gives you a sense of what’s in the market.
There have been hits and misses. I’ve pissed off a couple recruiters because I bowed out of processes after realizing it wasn’t enough to convince me to leave, but once I also ended up leaving for a 75% raise even though I wasn’t really looking for a new job. Was that worth pissing off a few recruiters? Absolutely
Also I would add - if recruiters get pissed at you for leaving a process - they are not recruiters you want to work with. They should be okay if you bow out of a process as they want to do right by their client as well, and not place someone who won't be happy. With that said, some recruiters are just out for their fee. If you are going to bow out of a process, the only word of advice I have for anyone reading this is don't go all the way to the offer, get the offer, and than bow out - only bow out if it isn't a market level offer or they are giving you significantly less than what you said you need and the recruiter/firm confirmed in the process they could/would pay this. If you bow out post offer and they gave you what you asked for, that is totally okay, but just know you may never work with that recruiter again. That is okay as long as you are doing what is good for you. Always look out for number 1. The recruiter doesn't represent you, they represent the firm - watch your back. Also, don't worry if you piss the recruiter off - honestly, they control many roles but they don't control all the roles. You probably will, if at all, only be placed by a recruiter once, maybe twice for a role in your life. They are not the be all end all. And at the lower levels of recruiting, many recruiters leave the industry after a few years - so if you piss one off, it won't be the end of the world as you move up. Also, as you move up, you'll begin working with better recruiters as the fees get better, the talent gets better.
The person that reached out to me is not a recruiter. They are a higher up in the company's HR department.
I concur with what people are saying above. NO harm in chatting, it's worthwhile practice. Clearly, be smart about what you say and I would generally say do not mention to anyone at your current job (or even general industry network, unless a trusted mentor/friend and you seeking advice). It's just part of how the world works.
Absolutely, always be looking to maximize your value. Especially early on in your career. That may mean staying in your current spot but you'll never know if you dont talk to people.
Have the chat, there is no downside. Worst case scenario you aren’t interested and politely tell them you decided not to make a career change at the moment but would like to stay in contact.
I 100% take all these calls. It’s a good way to comp out other shops. As long as you are transparent. You can say your not looking to move but open to hearing what kind of opportunity is available. Nothing wrong with that.
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