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I've been working as a software engineer for about 2 years now and recently I started to receive some messages from recruiters via LinkedIn. I understand that I can decide to answer or not to these messages, it will not be considered rude to ignore the message, but I don't really know if responding could be a good thing.

I've not been working for very long and I'm still just trying to assimilate some ideas of the workplace in general, like the fact that switching jobs often can be a good thing, as well as having a backup plan in case things go south.

So is there anything I could gain from responding to these messages? Or is there something I could be risking (like getting spammed by other recruiters)?

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  • Are you actively looking for a new position? – John Feb 17 at 12:05
  • @John Not specifically, I'm more curious about what positions could be offered to me – bedeau Feb 17 at 12:12
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    "working as a software engineer" that's enough. If a fish have "java" listed as her skills it will be contancted on Linked. They are mostly generic baits. SO you would mostly waste time. – SZCZERZO KŁY Feb 17 at 13:28
  • Personally, I filter Linkedin Messages by giving them my minimum salary requirements upfront. If their position clears that hurdle, then I'll happily take a look. It never hurts to get some interview practice in and stay abreast of the state of your industry's recruiting market, and you never know when an awesome opportunity might come along. – Kaz Feb 17 at 13:42
  • I'm not convinced those messages are from humans. Some robot seeing if there's enough interest to pull it's master into play seems like a possibility. – Dark Matter Feb 17 at 14:20
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Generally speaking, you can't lose anything by being nice to somebody in your professional life.

If you're not interested, don't ghost them, just tell them in a respectful way and never burn any bridge. You might be in a situation later where you'll be the one contacting them or they will be working with you (the world's a small place in IT).

So, when I'm not interested, I answer something like this:

Hello Mr/Mrs

I'd like to thank you for the interest you're showing in my profile, but I'm not open to new opportunities right now.

I hope you'll find the person you're looking for,

Regards,

[...]

It doesn't hurt to be nice and maybe someday you'll be looking for a job and you'll contact them again and they will see you were professional and respectful by looking to the past message.

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    I liek your point of view, especially the consideration of the fact that one day I may be the one contacting them. – bedeau Feb 17 at 13:41
  • And, you can say "I'm not actively looking right now but I'm willing to listen." It's honest and respectful both of great recruiters filling great jobs, and of hacks. And, yes, there are some great recruiters out there. – O. Jones Feb 17 at 19:29
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When a 3rd party recruiter contacts you right out of the blue they are either:

  • Trying to fill a position and your profile might fit in the requirements space.
  • Trying to gather resumes/contacts for a position they will be trying to fill next month.
  • Trying to increase their contacts for unknown positions in the future.

Unless they are actively trying to fill a position now, once they get your information, they will move on to other things until they can use your resume. They might never use it; they may only use it to fill a quota: find me 10 resumes...; or they might forward your resume as a solid opportunity.

If you are not actively looking, or don't see your self looking in the next month or two, there is no need to contact them at all. These relationships aren't sticky.

In a comment to the question you say:

I'm more curious about what positions could be offered to me

They are not offering a position. They are offering to maybe forward your resume. You might not even get an interview.

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I usually ignore emails from recruiters, unless actively looking or they are someone I definitely want to do business with in future (e.g. operate in a specific niche, locale or industry). And I have a separate account specifically for this purpose.

My reasoning is that these people are selling, and don't want to waste time on anyone who doesn't want to be sold.

Having said that, with LinkedIn they mostly get a limited number of messages/month, so are unlikely to waste them on totally unsuitable candidates. If someone has taken the trouble to target me, I generally respond as appropriate. Your fear of spam in this case is unwarranted.

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