Blog Reader Dennis writes in:
A recruiter has reached out to link to me on linked in.
My instinct is not to link, because all I would think he's trying to do is to get at my network for prospects. Is there any reason I should link w/him?
My vote is to accept the Link request from the recruiter. You want to be in other people’s networks. That is how you grow your network.
However, let’s say that Dennis’ intuition is right, the recruit just want access to his network.
So what?
Dennis still is the gatekeeper to his network.
He is still the one who decides to pass along an intro…or not. As Jeff Pulver says, ‘an introduction is an endorsement.”
If the recruiter is good and matches up a job opening with a qualified candidate in Dennis’ network, everybody (the recruiter, Dennis-as the connector, and his friend-new job) are better off. Dennis wins. He has added value to the his network.
If the recruiter just starts spamming Dennis, well then, the personal brand equity of the recruiter drops.
Dennis starts ignoring him.
And without attention of Dennis, the recruiter goes nowhere (think about Diana).
So, Dennis, accept the offer, but remember…you are the person solely responsible for your global micro-brand.
Image by ecstaticist via Flickr
Comments
Chuck Kramer said on 9.14.2008 at 4:42 PM
I also suggest accepting. I have done that and been pretty pleased with the results in general. Two of my "network" have even contacted the recruiter and gotten new (and better) positions.
Gadi said on 9.15.2008 at 10:58 AM
I disagree. In addition to my no tolerance stance on spam, if he gets in your network, and you pass him along to me. While his personal brand is at stake, you are not <a href="http://jer979.blogspot.com/2006/05/protecting-your-assets.html">Protecting Your Assets</a>. Ultimately, your microbrand is at stake as well.
jer979 said on 9.15.2008 at 11:02 AM
But, I would ONLY pass him along to you if there was a truly value-based reason for doing so. Let's say I know the type of job you are looking for (we've talked about it) and he puts a request that says "I want to talk to Gadi about X" and it's a perfect fit, wouldn't you WANT to see that?
Gadi said on 9.17.2008 at 11:05 AM
If you thought the fit was good, yes I would want to talk to that person.
However, I got a cold call last month from a recruiter. I think I used that as part of a comment. She got to me from linked in through a friend. That dropped his value, and I thought that was what this person was trying to do to you.