Why would you pass an opportunity to meet an industry leader?

As a recruiter in Civil Engineering and Environmental Services I am accustomed to rejection.  When speaking to those that I hope to recruit the most frequent answer that I encounter is some variation of "I am not looking," or "I am happy where I work."

I understand those sentiments.  We usually establish strong bonds to our companies and coworkers.  In addition,  it takes time that we don't want to invest.  My question is, at what cost to us personally?   Interviews can be a great opportunity to build a new relationship that can lead to future teaming opportunities, a source of referrals and exposure to information and technologies that may not be available within your current sphere of contacts.  There is also the possibility that you may learn that they can provide benefits that your current company may not.

Companies that have an open position and have agreed to retain an Executive Recruiter usually have business pressure that they are looking to alleviate.  They recognize that to continue to deal with that pressure that they will encounter unpleasant things like potentially the loss of a client relationship, excessive overtime costs, costs overruns on projects and more.   For these reasons they will actively attempt to provide a compelling picture as to why you should consider joining them and that may include substantial wage increases, incentives to join their firm, promotions, better benefits, more flexible working arrangements and more.   Yes, I know that you are happy with your current firm but let's be honest with one another, did you know how things would really work out when you joined them?

Change always brings uncertainty.  I understand that better than most and would not encourage you to make a move without properly understanding what is in it for you.  As a matter of fact, when I recruit your for a position, my job doesn't start until you agree to work with me to meet with the company that I am calling on behalf of.  I then need to understand your personal and professional preferences, your strengths and weaknesses and your long and short term goals.  When I initially approach you about considering another firm,  it is as basic as a coffee meeting with a colleague.  Your industry colleague, the person that you are interviewing with, is somebody that you should probably know in your industry, someone that you would benefit from having a relationship with.  The same is true for them in meeting you.  The industry colleague that you are meeting would never expect you to make a change unless you believe that there is a compelling reason to do so.  You see, if they pressure you to make a move that doesn't work out, they have every bit as much risk as you do.

The bottom line is to keep an open mind, make a new contact in your industry and see if that new relationship proves fruitful enough for you to consider collaborating professionally with them at a new firm.  You have noting to lose as you will be making the decisions and at a minimum you will gain a new relationship or perhaps strengthen an existing one.