How Not to Burn Wholesaling Bridges [What Every Wholesaler Should Know About Recruitment Calls]

You’re screaming down [insert freeway, highway or byway name here] and your caller id flashes an unfamiliar number.

After your next appointment, you listen to voicemail.

On the other end of the line is a National Sales Manager or Divisional Sales Manager from a competing firm (or a recruiter representing that same firm).

In their message, they explain that they have an opening for which you might be a great fit.

What does the great wholesaler do?

The Obvious Answer

If you’re in a gig that has you monetarily, mentally and or motivationally dissatisfied, the answer is clear: you waste no time returning the call to learn more.

The Bridge Burning Answer

At this point in your career, you are fat and happy.

You just came off of another Career Year.

You have lights out products.

You won Wholesaler of the Year at the National Sales Conference and, frankly, you’re pooping Febreze air freshener.

And because you’re in the warm womb of career contentment, you opt to not even return the call.

Bad idea.

Foolish Decisions That Haunt Us

One thing about our business that we know you know: change is constant and oftentimes fast.

Yesterday’s budget that called for a 10% increase in headcount can turn into tomorrow’s email from the CEO asking your boss for five ways to reduce expenses by 15% – and yes, that includes staff reductions.

The reality is, you may get that job solicitation call when you need it least.

But if you don’t handle it well, you’ll be unable to leverage that call if/when you need it the most.

Three Simple (But Not Easy) Steps to Take

When you get that recruiting call here’s what we recommend:

Return the phone call of the person that reached out to you in an expeditious manner. Urgency is memorable.
Decide if you actually want to have the meeting – and in our opinion, it rarely ever hurts to listen and learn.
If, after learning more, you should decide that it’s not something that you would be interested in, it still makes tremendous sense to formulate a strategy to occasionally keep in touch.

It’s the most classic form of networking.

Divisionals, nationals and/or headhunters only get contacted when somebody wants something.

But if your protocol is to occasionally drop that person a line with no hidden agenda, that elevates you and places you at a level other folks have not established.

Your occasional contact serves to develop and build relationships.

Relationships that should serve you very well over the course of your career.

This post was inspired by a call we had with a Wholesaler Masterminds® Private Coaching client. Click to learn more about our coaching services today.