What to Think About Before Speaking to a Recruiter
This article is part of the Your Next-Move Profile guide.
Recruiters are not career advisers. They match candidates to vacancies — and the vacancies they present are the ones they have, not necessarily the ones that are right for you. Going into a recruiter conversation without clarity on your own priorities means you are likely to be guided towards roles that suit the recruiter’s pipeline rather than your needs.
What to know before you pick up the phone
Your minimum salary. Not what you would ideally like — your minimum. The number below which you will not move, regardless of other factors.
Your travel tolerance. How far will you travel? What patch size is acceptable? Are you open to relocation?
Your availability. When could you genuinely start? What is your notice period?
Your non-negotiables. What are the conditions under which you will not accept a role? Nights? Excessive on-call? Specific sectors?
Your progression goal. Where do you want to be in three years? What does the right next role contribute to that?
Your current situation. What are you earning? What do you do? What qualifications do you hold? The more clearly you can describe this, the more useful the recruiter can be.
The conversation to have
Rather than waiting to hear what the recruiter has available, open with your wish list: "I am open to a conversation about the right opportunity. Here is specifically what I am looking for and what I am not." This frames the conversation on your terms and immediately filters out the roles that do not fit.