My experience with recruiters who've contacted me via LinkedIn hasn't been very memorable - they seem to be fishing, and using LinkedIn to do it.
Of course you should respond though. I'd invite them to pick a day and time for you to call them. Then, use the advice in the M-T recruiter podcast from a year or so ago. It's gold.
-Hugh
PS: Be VERY wary of any recruiter who wants to join your network on LinkedIn. You're just giving them "fishing rights" among your colleagues!
Submitted by Hongfar Chanta… on Thursday January 29th, 2009 7:37 pm
Check his profile on LinkedIn. Then send a brief reply asking if he has details of specific opportunities. That way you know whether he just wants to grow his resume-base or is it something.
I was recently contacted via LinkedIn as well. He was very professional and was able to sparked my interest in a few sentences. After introducing himself, he provided specific information about the opportunities up front -- most of the key things -- the hiring company, pay range, KPI's, and specific qualifications.
After checking his profile and recommendations on LinkedIn, I sent a quick note asking for more specifics about the job. He (and the job) is actually half a world away from where I am, so he called and then arranged a phone interview directly with the exec who was hiring. Overall I had a positive experience.
But having said that, I would agree that he was just fishing based on qualification matches. If he hadn't provided specific info about the position and his profile on LinkedIn less credible, I would have been more careful.
They're often fishing....
My experience with recruiters who've contacted me via LinkedIn hasn't been very memorable - they seem to be fishing, and using LinkedIn to do it.
Of course you should respond though. I'd invite them to pick a day and time for you to call them. Then, use the advice in the M-T recruiter podcast from a year or so ago. It's gold.
-Hugh
PS: Be VERY wary of any recruiter who wants to join your network on LinkedIn. You're just giving them "fishing rights" among your colleagues!
My Experience Was Positive
Check his profile on LinkedIn. Then send a brief reply asking if he has details of specific opportunities. That way you know whether he just wants to grow his resume-base or is it something.
I was recently contacted via LinkedIn as well. He was very professional and was able to sparked my interest in a few sentences. After introducing himself, he provided specific information about the opportunities up front -- most of the key things -- the hiring company, pay range, KPI's, and specific qualifications.
After checking his profile and recommendations on LinkedIn, I sent a quick note asking for more specifics about the job. He (and the job) is actually half a world away from where I am, so he called and then arranged a phone interview directly with the exec who was hiring. Overall I had a positive experience.
But having said that, I would agree that he was just fishing based on qualification matches. If he hadn't provided specific info about the position and his profile on LinkedIn less credible, I would have been more careful.