What can I expect working with a recruiter who sends template messages without even including names?

Question

I recently received a message from a recruiter on Linkedin, that read something as follows:

Hi,

Our client in best-of-whatever-industry is looking to hire a Sr. Software Developer for their headquarters in Some City, State. Your profile seems to match very well so I was hoping to discuss the role.

Regards, Some Name

This recruiter didn't even include my name (the slightest amount of effort), nor did they mention what the role entails at all, or how I might fit said role.

It doesn't look like spam based on the recruiter's profile/connections, but it also seems like they are making literally zero effort in trying to find candidates. I did check the company's website, however, and the role might be a good fit.

Is this likely to be an indicator for how the recruiter will handle future communications and if so are there any downsides to me engaging with them?

Answer 1

Dear Professional (like this?)

My gut reaction is a qualified no. This is likely somebody making close to minimum wage whose job it is to gather lists of prospective candidates based on search results that match only one or two keywords on your resume, then do a mail merge like functionality to blast out emails to thousands of people. In other words, as you say zero effort.

If you reply to such an email, chances are there are ten of these people reporting up to an experienced recruiter, and then the experienced recruiter will reply to you if it's a match.

Also if you get such an email chances are you'll get others from multiple agencies about the same gig.

A yes answer would be if you're really desperate to get out of your current contract or have a hard end date and want to avoid unpaid bench time.

Experienced recruiters that don't have their own minions will only contact you if they've done their research and there is a high match between you and the job.

Hope this helps, or at least amused you.

Answer 2

As a former recruiting minion, I can say that this is a low effort cold message.
If you're interested in the position, ask them for job details without giving them any. If they cooperate in their first reply and don't try to avoid your questions, they might have been lazy or ignorant (newbie) of the trade ethics, you might want to continue with them; otherwise just ignore them or tell them you're not interested.

Answer 3

I would try to find if it is possible to apply for the position through another channel (as the best-of-whatever-industry company webpage). If that is not possible, I would give a try to the recruiter, if I am truly interested on the position.

About what you can expect, it is hard to say. Maybe they are lazy recruiters but maybe they are just on a superficial scan for candidates before giving a personalized and good support to those who are interested. In any case it is not the best of the presentations, for sure.