Even if you aren’t looking for a new job (Part 2)

 

by Megan Daniel, PharmaLogics Executive Recruiter

If you’re new here, check out part 1 of this article for the first five reasons to call back that recruiter who has been trying to reach you. Here’s a refresher course before we dive into the next five reasons:

  1. It’s (still) a pandemic
  2. Networking 
  3. To get them to stop calling…kind of
  4. To get them to stop using your work email
  5. New opportunities and that wishlist that seemed like a pipedream

Now, without further ado, let us continue…

6. Use it to brush up your interviewing skills

Practice makes perfect, so they say. This rings true for interviewing as well. Do not wait until you land that coveted interview with your dream company to start thinking about interview prep. Use recruiter calls to keep you in “interviewing shape.” Those who wait years before taking another interview are wasting valuable opportunities to practice the hardest part of the job-search process – talking about your experience and skill set! Participating in recruiter calls also gives you an idea of the types of interview questions you can expect in your field. 

Let these calls help you take stock of your accomplishments thus far. Have you filled in for a manager who was out sick? Been chosen to train new employees? Maybe you just nailed that last project you were assigned. These types of accomplishments often come up during a conversation with a pharma recruiter. Each recruiter call gives you another opportunity to refine and perfect your “stump speech” of accomplishments, so by the time the “real” interviews come along, you have your answers ready to go.

7. See how you can broaden your horizon.

Have you wondered how other people with the same skillset/degree(s) have applied their expertise? If you are at least a few years into your career, you have gained some skills since your college days. You have also probably realized that your college major does not always determine exactly where you will end up (I majored in Musical Theatre, for example…still waiting to put my tap skills to good use!). 

Recruiters are focused on potential as much as they are focused on credentials. If they have a niche role that is hard to source, they will often consider adjacent industries and backgrounds. Talking to recruiters gives you a sneak peek into how your profile appears in life sciences jobs. You may even be qualified for industries you previously never heard of (such as a biotechnology and pharmaceutical recruiting firm).

8. It’s good to know your worth!

You don’t know what you don’t know. Sounds too simple, right? But it is true! If you are not aware that people with your skillset are in high demand for a field that pays much more than your current position, you are going to continue to make a smaller paycheck. Maybe you were unaware that the last offer you took is well below market average and you should have negotiated for more. As noted previously, making contact with recruiters via work email may be less than ideal, especially if your work email is surveilled. But use it to your advantage! I’m not advocating to exclusively correspond through your work email, but remember this—your employer should be treating you like you could leave at any time. Because you can. They should give you incentives to stay, and if they don’t, you deserve to see if there are better opportunities out there! 

Sure, we are all replaceable. We hear that all the time. It may be true, but I bet that your company would be sorry to lose you or simply not want to go through the hassle of trying to replace you. By talking to recruiters (and hopefully landing an offer or two!) you can keep a pulse on your industry. If other companies are offering you better compensation, that can give you invaluable leverage to bring into your next performance evaluation. At the end of the day, you have to look out for yourself—because you’re worth it, baby!

 9. Being kind never goes out of style.

I think we all can remember not wanting to share in kindergarten. With our tiny little fists gripping onto the magenta crayon, the adults in our lives reminded us that sharing is caring. Moreover, how would we feel if we were the ones that needed the magenta crayon? This was the start of our experience with that age-old golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. There are probably a million other idioms or mantras that could be applied here. I’ll say this—remember that the recruiter you’re about to scream at via email is a human being. This human being is just trying to do their job and not asking you for the moon, the stars or your credit card number. 

I understand no one is entitled to your time. This is just a gentle reminder that we all have jobs to do and kindness doesn’t cost a thing. Outside of the golden rule, being kind is still worth your while. You may not be looking for a job today, but you probably will be at some point. Even if you want to not be contacted anymore, be kind in your request. Say please and thank you. It’s what your mother would want.

 10. The best things in life are free.

Nobody likes junk emails or spam phone calls. All those marketing emails from the store you bought one thing from five years ago and automated voicemails telling you that your car warranty is expired have one thing in common. They want money. Your money, to be specific. These messages are all trying to get you to spend your hard-earned cash. This is where recruiting is different. This is not the Peloton you swore you would use or the juicer that never made it out of the box (Mom, if you’re reading this, I swear I’m going to start juicing this weekend!). Recruiting is not about taking money from you. Recruiting is about presenting you with new opportunities, some of which may even give you more money.

 

Take it from a recruiter—there is more than one reason to call us back. Let us help you, whatever your goals may be. I look forward to connecting soon!

 

About the Author:

life sciences recruiter

Megan Daniel is an Executive Recruiter for PharmaLogics Recruiting. Before transitioning into talent acquisition, she performed in various musicals and plays for theatre companies across the East Coast. She is thankful to be a part of an awesome cohort at PharmaLogics (Go Team Jared!) and loves finding new ways to utilize her creativity in the recruiting field. When not working, Megan is reading, rock-climbing or finding something new to write about.