A recruiter just messaged you. Maybe you weren't looking. Maybe you're happy where you are. Or maybe you've been quietly hoping for exactly this. Regardless of your situation, the way you handle the next 72 hours will determine whether this becomes a career-defining opportunity or a forgettable exchange.

Step 1: Respond Quickly — But Don't Commit to Anything

Reply within 24 hours. Recruiters work pipelines, and the candidates who respond promptly are moved forward. But responding quickly doesn't mean accepting eagerly.

"Thanks for reaching out — this sounds interesting. Happy to have a brief chat to learn more about the role and whether it might be a fit. When works for you?"

This is warm but non-committal. You're gathering information, not interviewing.

Step 2: Research Before the Call

Before your intro call, do three things:

1. Look up the company — recent news, Glassdoor reviews, funding status (if startup)
2. Research the role — what does this title typically pay in the market?
3. Identify your "walk-away number" — the minimum comp + flexibility that would make a move worthwhile

Going into the first call with this groundwork means you can ask smarter questions and detect red flags early.

Step 3: Ask the Right Questions on the Intro Call

Most candidates spend the intro call answering questions. The most compelling candidates ask them:

• "What does success look like in this role after 12 months?"
• "What's the biggest challenge the person in this role will face in the first 90 days?"
• "How is the team structured, and what's the management style of the hiring manager?"
• "What's the comp range budgeted for this position?" (Ask early — don't waste time if the number is far off)

Step 4: Control the Pace

Recruiters benefit from moving quickly. You benefit from moving at the right pace. If the timeline feels rushed, it's appropriate to say:

"I want to make sure I give this the consideration it deserves. What's your timeline for a decision? I want to make sure I can do my due diligence properly."

This also subtly signals that you're evaluating them as much as they're evaluating you — which is the truth.

Step 5: Negotiate From Strength

If you've reached the offer stage, you're in a position of leverage. You have a job. They've chosen you. Use both facts:

"I'm genuinely interested. I want to be straightforward — to make a move from a stable situation, I'd need the offer to be at [X]. Is there room to get there?"

The candidates who receive the best offers are those who enter the process with clarity about what they want — and the confidence to ask for it.