I’m thinking about making a change, but I’m not sure if I’m ready. Should I work with a recruiter?
That depends. Working with a recruiter is the obvious choice if you require the utmost discretion, but there are other factors to take into account.
My first piece of advice is to make this very clear to any recruiter you may work with. If you reveal yourself as a possible tire kicker once you are already entrenched in an interview process, after the recruiter has invested time and effort, not to mention staked his/her reputation on you, a sudden sign of wavering commitment is a HUGE red flag that may damage that professional relationship.
Something brought you to the conclusion that it might be time to make a change—what was it? Are you dissatisfied with some element of your current position or your overall career trajectory? Are you afraid your company won’t be around in 24 months? If your biggest concerns are about your company, itself, those feelings are unlikely to dissipate with time; those situations are rarely resolved. If your biggest concerns center on your career, advocate for the change you want to see. Instead of launching a job search and involving third parties, ask for that raise or promotion you feel you deserve. Remind your organization (and yourself) of the value you bring to the table, the contributions you have made and your commitment to the success of the company and the team.
Are you unsure about making a change or are you unsure about making a change for this opportunity? There’s a big difference between not knowing what you want and resolving not to settle for anything less. Think about what really matters to you, what you really want to see in your next company and position—what type of boss, team, title, compensation, level of responsibility… If you can outline these details for a recruiter, s/he will have a much clearer idea of what to call you about and what would be a waste of everyone’s time.
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