Why do recruiters ask for your manager?
Why do recruiters inquire about your manager?
I’ve been asked numerous times by recruiters about who my manager is at my current job, and I find myself wondering what the purpose of this question is. Why do they want to know?
Recruiters may ask for your manager’s name for several reasons:
Verification of Employment: They may want to confirm your current position and responsibilities. Knowing your manager helps them validate your work history and experience.
Reference Checking: Recruiters often look for references to gain insights into your work ethic, skills, and character. Identifying your manager makes it easier for them to reach out and obtain a reference.
Understanding Hierarchy: Knowing who you report to can provide context about your role within the organization and your level of responsibility. This can be important in assessing how your skills align with the needs of the potential employer.
Networking: In some cases, recruiters might use your manager’s name to understand the company culture or to network within your current organization or industry.
Assessing Fit: Recruiters might inquire about your manager to gauge your professional relationships or how you fit into your current team, which can be relevant for team dynamics in the new role they are hiring for.
If you’re uncomfortable sharing your manager’s name due to privacy concerns, it’s perfectly acceptable to express that to the recruiter. You might offer to provide a reference later in the process or suggest an alternative contact if needed.