OK – you know the drill… An inbound phone calls comes in and it sounds something like this: “Hi this is John Smith with (fill in the blank search firm) and I wanted to reach out to you today to network with you on a search opportunity my firm is working onâ€.
You have a several choices on how to respond:
A – You could ignore the call entirely.
B – You could call the search consultant and ask them to NEVER call you again!
C – You could call the search consultant and listen to what they have to say and begin to build a professional relationship assuming they know what they are doing and understand the healthcare IT space. That assumes you like their communication style and their professional style “feels rightâ€. You either connect with them or NOT!
Clearly most good search firms will reach out to CIO’s that already have a job. That is what they get paid to do. Find “passive candidates†and explain what search assignment(s) they are working on – in the event that CIO knows someone that might be a good fit. It’s all about the networking. OK – it’s the “quid pro quo†– you help me and I. in turn will help you (at some future date).
You may think you know – but the reality is that you never know what the future holds. It is a good strategy to have a network of professional search firms that you can call on if you need talent for your own organization – or for YOU! It just makes good business sense.
So… the next time the phone rings and a recruiter leaves you a message – how will you respond?
Will it be A-B or C?