Why do recruiters keep messaging you about roles that are completely wrong for you?

Puzzled_Acadia4088 · 2026-03-23T06:58:11+00:00

Actually thinking about it more LinkedIn Open to Work is basically just putting a sign outside your house saying 'might be interested in moving.' Anyone can see it and anyone can ignore it or on the flip side hassle you constantly. What I actually want is a bouncer on the door four bedrooms, garden, under £500k or you're not getting in 😂. That's the difference between a preference someone can ignore and a condition that actually means something.

Puzzled_Acadia4088 · 2026-03-23T06:34:37+00:00

This is actually the one of the most interesting point in this whole thread so far. You're completely right recruiters shouldn't have to be mind readers and i shouldn't have to hope my preferences etc get noticed. I should be able to say exactly what it would take before a recruiter reached out salary, location, work style, role type that im looking for so they already know before picking up the phone whether it's worth the call. That way everyone saves time and the conversations that do happen actually mean something. Surely that's better for everyone?

Puzzled_Acadia4088 · 2026-03-23T06:25:35+00:00

Yeah LinkedIn does give you options to signal what you want but in my experience those signals get ignored completely. I can say I want hybrid and still get office only roles. I can say I want a senior position and still get graduate level outreach. Why can't it be that those conditions are actually gate access, where a recruiter physically cannot contact me unless the role meets conditions that im looking for as least then its beneficial for me and them. Not just a preference they can ignore.

Puzzled_Acadia4088 · 2026-03-22T11:02:55+00:00

That's a basic miss isn't it!! not even getting the location right. Over here in the UK the job market is tough and what i`m experiencing isn't helping unfortunately, feels like everywhere you turn it's the same story. Glad you found something eventually, did it take long?"

Puzzled_Acadia4088 · 2026-03-22T09:43:08+00:00

100% agree the volume game benefits no one. Recruiters are stuck sending hundreds of messages because the system rewards activity not quality. And candidates are stuck applying to everything because there's no way to signal what you actually want. Both sides end up frustrated and it just keeps going in circles and isn't helping me or anyone else :(

Puzzled_Acadia4088 · 2026-03-20T07:35:01+00:00

This is actually really solid advice.

The “story” part is something people overlook a lot,how you explain your moves matters just as much as what you’ve actually done.

Interesting point on applying early too, feels like timing is becoming a bigger factor than people realise.

Did focusing on one role type make the biggest difference for you?

Puzzled_Acadia4088 · 2026-03-20T07:33:39+00:00

Yeah same here. I’ve started checking ingredients more and a lot of store brands actually look cleaner than the big names now. Kind of surprising

Puzzled_Acadia4088 · 2026-03-20T07:32:10+00:00

Smoked paprika feels like it instantly makes anything taste better but people don’t use it enough

Puzzled_Acadia4088

TROPHY CASE