It’s the start of a new year. Have you checked in with your recruiter yet?
Even if you have no foreseeable plans to change jobs or companies, maintaining a relationship with your recruiter is a best practice when it comes to navigating a career path.
When professional life changes, as it will, you’ll be better prepared to manage your next milestone if your recruiter is already up-to-speed on where you are.
Here are some productive conversation topics to use when you check-in with your recruiter.
New certifications completed or planned.
Are there training certifications you’ve completed recently that your recruiter may not be aware of? Or perhaps you’re planning to take some training courses this year.
A big team win.
What major project for your organization did you recently help achieve? Sharing these accomplishments with your recruiter is an excellent way to underscore how well you work as part of a successful team, while also highlighting your specific contributions.
Recalibrating your goals.
Have some of your professional goals changed since taking your current position? Sharing these details — and how you’re hoping to achieve them — can help your recruiter identify opportunities that align with your aspirations.
Strong showing in social media.
Perhaps a recent article you authored online captured considerable attention. Be sure to share the news—and the article—with your recruiter. Even if the two of you are connected on LinkedIn, your recruiter may not have seen it (days get busy, message boxes get full). And check to make sure that you are, in fact, connected on LinkedIn.
Volunteer or pro bono work.
What volunteer work or pro-bono causes have you been actively supporting that your recruiter may not know about? Such contributions provide recruiters with valuable currency when showcasing your skills as a candidate. If there’s a personal motivation behind your contribution, go ahead and share that if you’re comfortable doing so. It will often strike a positive chord.
Candidates to recommend.
If you’ve recommended your recruiter to a colleague or friend, let him or her know (even if the person has already made contact). This gives you an opportunity to let your recruiter know how much you value the support you receive.
And naturally, if you are considering a career or company change, you’ll want to bring your recruiter into the conversation as soon as you’re ready. But not every communication needs to be an ask on your part. Sometimes, it pays to simply let your recruiter know that you are committed to maintaining your professional relationship.
