How to Respond When a Recruiter Emails

How to Respond When a Recruiter EmailsHow to Respond When a Recruiter Emails Picture yourself in this scenario you get a elendification on your phone that you have a new message. You quickly check the notification and find out that you have a LinkedIn message. When you head over to LinkedIn, you realize that you have been contacted by a recruiter who reached out to you about a job opportunity . What happens? Most likely, you are excited that someone would actually reach out directly to you and thinks that you are the perfect fit for a job at their organization, but then your excitement slowly starts to fade perhaps due to the fact that you already have another job that you love or perhaps because the job being offered does not have terms favorable to youDue to todays tight job market, recruiters will reach out to candidates mora often than they used to. However, as the person on the receiving end of a recruiters message, how you respond is very important.Heres how to make the most of the unique opportunity in front of you.1. Negotiate the offer Since you are the one being pursued, it will be more easy to determine the terms of your engagement. Just because someone made you an offer does not mean you should accept it as-is. This is the right time to negotiate the offer you can negotiate any part of the job including your salary, your position, your benefits, as well as work conditions.2. Use the offer to negotiate better terms at your current job Even if youre satisfied with your current job, an offer from a recruiter could be a blessing in disguise. Depending on the terms of the job, particularly if more attractive than that of your current job, you can use it to negotiate better terms with your current employers. If they see that attempts are being made to poach you from them, they are likely to put in more incentives to retain you this could be used to negotiate a better salary, better work terms, a promotion , or better benefits .3. Build a relationship Even if you are not interested in the job offer, be polite in all your interactions and attempt to build a relationship. The recruiter who reached out to you can prove useful in more than the organization the recruiter is reaching out from. By doing everything to ensure there is a relationship (being polite even if you have to reject the offer, referring someone else if you are not available for the offer, and checking in every once in a while), you are positioning yourself for better future career prospects.Its easy to get overconfident when a recruiter reaches out to you, but it is very important to avoid the following pitfalls1. Avoid assuming that being contacted by a recruiter means automatic employment If you think being contacted by a recruiter means automatic employment, you might want to reassess your opinion. While being contacted by a recruiter gives you an edge, it doesnt guarantee employment. Instead of resting on your laurels, you should double your efforts and put your best foot forward.It is important to avoid being casual in your approach and response to the recruiter. Polish your portfolio and job materials, emphasize the unique advantage you will give the organization that wants to employ you, and be professional and polite in your interactions with the recruiter. 2. Avoid assuming that youre the only person being considered for the job opportunity One of the worst pitfalls you can fall into when a recruiter reaches out to you is that of assuming that you are the only person the recruiter reached out to - or assuming that you are the only person being considered for the job.According to Simonetta Lein , CEO of the Simonetta Lein brand, Vice President of The Wishwall Foundation , and one of the top 100 fashion influencers in the world, One of the biggest mistakes candidates make when recruiters contact them out of the blue is that of assuming that they are the only one being considered for the job. Due to this wro ng assumption, says Lein, they put in little effort into preparing and positioning themselves for the opportunity and often end up losing it. She advises reacting to a recruitment offer sent to you as you would do if you had sent a job application - as if you are one of many candidates.3. Dont make the mistake of not putting effort into your job materials You should also avoid the pitfall of not putting enough effort into your job materials. According to Alex Jasin, the founder and CEO of Metapress , When a recruiter reaches out to you is when you should double up on your effort and polish your job materials. Jasin says this is important for a few key reasons, One, it helps the recruiter justify the decision to reach out to you and makes the decision to hire you easier. Two, just because a recruiter reached out to you doesnt mean the recruiter will be making the hiring decision - the recruiter could be very excited about you, and communicate this excitement to other decision mak ers, but its your materials that will really do the job.So what materials do you want to focus on? The usual ones you would be focusing on if you were the one seeking the job 4. Dont completely ignore the recruiter While you might be at a job you love, it isnt necessarily a good idea to completely ignore the recruiter. You might not need the job right now, but the future is largely unpredictable even if you are at a satisfied job, Ayodeji Onibalusi, CEO of Effective Inbound Marketing , says it wont be wise to just ignore the recruiter Your company could downsize in the near future and you could lose your job, you could get laid off, or you might later decide you need better career prospects. He further says,Just because youre at your dream job does not mean youre guaranteed to be at that job forever. It is always wise to think with the future in mind.So, even if the opportunity isnt a right fit now, what do you do?

5 timeless words of career advice from former presidents

5 timeless words of career advice from former presidents5 timeless words of career advice from former presidentsBefore becoming the leaders of the free world, nearly every president had to work his way up the corporate ladder, learning plenty of lessons along the way.Among the 45 who held the title of Mr. President, their career paths varied greatly, offering a vast amount of diversity in skill sets and talents. While our inaugural leader George Washington worked as a surveyor, Ronald Reagan was an actor, William Howard Taft was a lawyer and Barack Obama worked as an education consultant among other gigs.Arguably, all would credit President of the United States as their toughest, most demanding role, since it provided them with helpful wisdom. Luckily for you, theyve shared the tough lessons from the oval office, giving you a bit of studying material for your long weekend aheadThink before you speakThe first president of the United States, George Washington wrote a guidebook about pu blic discourse and protocol, appropriately titled Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation. In here, he gives many points and perspectives on how to maturely and effectively handle yourself in corporate or professional settings.In addition to recommending to keep your face to the back when youre speaking and using positive body language, he also recommended thorough thought and consideration before speaking. Its a rule of thumb likely ingrained into your psyche thanks to your parents, but one that holds true in all boardroom meetings or even digitally, in e-mail exchanges. He wrote, Think before you speak, pronounce not imperfectly, nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly and distinctly.Associate yourself with people smarter than youAs an Army general, statesman and the 34th president of the United States, Dwight Eisenhower had much experience both listening to elders and leading youngsters. Regardless of his rank though, he quickly learned the imp ortance of the company you keep, as it shapes not only your reputation but your ability progress. Its not that you shouldnt befriend the funniest person in the office since they will fill the sometimes mundane hours of a workday, but making a pointed choice to spend quality time with those you respect will feed mora inspiration into your career. Eisenhower explained in his book, Always try to associate yourself with and learn as much as you can from those who know more than you do, who do better than you, who see more clearly than you.If youre intimidated by scheduling a meeting with your CMO or your top executive because they may stump you with questions, Eisenhower has a solution for that, too. When you cant quite rack your brain for the smartest retort, be confident in admitting defeat, since it illustrates your integrity and character. As he wrote, Remember, I dont know, is one of the smartest things you can say, and once you do, you can find the experts you need.Take time to de liberate. Then goEspecially when your industry requires a fast-paced, quick-witted and on-the-go attitude, you might feel the pressure of hastily decision-making. When the time and client turnaround does allow though, soldier, statesman and the seventh president emphasizes the importance of careful consideration. Because the smartest solutions usually come from weighing options, identifying risks and estimating outcomes regardless if youre leading a war or creating an end-of-year strategy its the pause that can elevate your career. Jackson was quoted in the book, Supplement to the Courant also providing the advice for what to do once youve arrived at your choice Take time to deliberate but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.After all, why wouldnt you go full-force ahead in your presentation, the contract, or your proposal if youve actually taken the break you needed to gain confidence?Your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thingA sk your first boss at your internship, or your brothers friend who you find so utterly impressive. Chat with your mom, your dad, your sorority sister. Regardless of whose advice you seek, everyone will have a different view on what it means to be successful. As one of the most legendary and visionary presidents, our 16th leader Abraham Lincoln was ripe with profound insight, making his speeches timelessly quotable. But one that should stick out in your mind as you map out your own pioneering path is to start from within. In a kind-hearted, pointed letter to a pal, Lincoln signed off with the following, Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed, is more important than any other one thing.In other words no matter what nuggets of wisdom you hear or find, maintaining a sense of self-determination will take you further than any other tactic or strategy.Nothing in the world can take the place of persistenceWhen you were first rejected for a role that you wholeheartedly thoug ht you had in the bag, the sting surely isnt pleasant. Though disappointment is part of the job searching and career-building tango, your ability to push past your shortcoming or downfalls is what will set you apart from others eying the same opportunity. As one of the most infamous words from a president that youll often hear during college graduation speeches, lawyer and 30th U.S. president Calvin Coolidge speaks to the deep importance of stamina, regardless of what rat race youre jogging.It read, Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not unrewarded genius is almost a proverb Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The odd truth of this popular quote is the original context is still being researched, even though it appeared on the deckblatt of the program for his memorial service in 1933. Regardless if he said it in full or it was fragmented between a variety of spe eches, the value remains the same working tirelessly without giving up will extend your career more than anything else.

Is it OK to exhibit your superstitions in the workplace

Is it OK to exhibit your superstitions in the workplaceIs it OK to exhibit your superstitions in the workplaceIn sports, its not unusual to hear about star players carrying lucky charms or wearing the same whiffy jersey game after game after game for fear of breaking their winning streak. In the theater world, its considered badeanstalteanstalt luck to wish someone good luck before a performance, so instead, you tell them to break a leg. But superstition isnt just limited to the proverbial playing fields. Former President Barack Obama reportedly carries around an ever-evolving mix of good luck charms given to him by others including a rosary from Pope Francis.In the workplace though, things arent black and white with many of us obsessively wearing lucky socks before a meeting or using only a certain color ink on major reports. So, is it okay to have a gold wishbone hanging above your desk and a tiny medicine bag near you at all times? (asking for a friend). According to an expert on superstitions, it really depends on just how heavily you rely on them.Is it good luck or bad luck?Inspired by an undergrad student, Donald A. Saucier, Ph.D. a Professor and University Distinguished Teaching Scholar at Kansas State University Department of Psychological Sciences decided to delve deeper into the individual differences in superstitious beliefs. Dr. Saucier explained a notion he refers to as the locus of control which is the extent to which you think you can control your environment and outcomes.Dont blame your bad luck on externalsDr. Saucier explained that some people believe exclusively in luck I believe Im going to carry a rabbits food and good things are going to happen, or the flip side a belief in bad luck- its Friday the 13th or Im breaking a mirror, therefore bad things will happen. Some people carry this through to the workplace and have a hard time expecting to produce their best work on a bad luck day or blame their own shoddy work on Mars being in retrograd e.Do you lack the confidence to do it on your own?For some, theres an internal locus of control in which they believe Its all me. The external locus of control, on the other hand, is the polar opposite life happens to me. Its predestined. These individual beliefs can lead to different behavior and can also explain why some people seem oblivious to external circumstances, while others consider everything to be a sign or even opportunity. Ultimately, it also can mean that someone might simply lack confidence in their own abilities and too heavily depend on somewhat unrealistic or superstitious aid.Is it ever okay to use your four-leaf clover?If as Dr. Saucier explains, A superstition is believing something has an influence when it doesnt. So, is it ever acceptable to use your own good luck charm in an office environment? Wearing your lucky shirt doesnt change your grade or make your report any better unless it gives you self-confidence or self-efficacy (your belief that you can do som ething), explains Dr. Saucier. Then its great.The flip side though is when people use superstitions in place of them doing something to try to succeed. Ideally, you do both. You prepare for your meeting or speech and as an added boost of confidence, you wear your favorite color or lucky tie. Some people use the superstition to give them a confidence boost, explains Dr. Saucier. They dont actually think they can increase their level of success, and theyre not necessarily conscious theyre doing so. Its just naturally comforting to do it. And using these as tools or confidence boosters can then help you to become less scared or anxious. Almost like a professional security blanket or touchstone.Use it as a cueDr. Saucier explains that he used to have a lucky song he listened to before teaching. It welchesnt the song that made his lectures go well, it was the hours of work and preparation that came beforehand. The song was just an added boost or reminder that hed done well in the past an d would again in the future. As long as I was prepared. It was fine.Use it as a positiveNo matter how weird it might seem to others, using lucky charms or superstitions when theyre benign is fine and even fun. The problems arise when people start to overthink them or expect the superstition to do too much, according to Dr. Saucier. If people want to wear their lucky shirt, thats just fine. Its when superstition takes the place of better behavior that I have an issue.