Hiring may be quiet right now. The market’s uncertain, budgets are tighter, and many teams are focused on maintaining what they have. But that doesn’t mean the talent pool is standing still. In fact, many top candidates are using this time to sharpen their skills and strengthen their networks.
For employers, this is a perfect opportunity to keep tabs on what’s happening out there. Because when the pendulum swings back—and it will—the companies that already have relationships in place will move fastest.
So how can you stay connected and aware of the talent market without any open roles to fill? Here are five smart ways to stay in touch:
- Attend Industry Events to Identify and Connect with Rising Talent: Often, these events attract ambitious candidates eager to share their insights and build connections. Pay attention to who’s actively sharing ideas and leading conversations. Introduce yourself to these individuals, exchange contact information, and let them know you’d love to keep in touch. With the foundation of a relationship already established, you can move from interest to action when an opening comes up.
- Create a “Talent Watchlist” from Thought Leadership Content: Pay attention to articles, blog posts, or LinkedIn shares from professionals in your field. If you notice someone consistently providing valuable insights, add them to a “talent watchlist.” Then, over time, you can reach out and say, “I’ve been impressed by your insights and would love to keep in touch.” It’s a way to identify great talent who may not even be actively job hunting, but with whom you can stay connected, learn from, and keep top of mind for future opportunities.
- Stay curious about interesting people you’ve encountered in the past: Connect with former employees, collaborators, or previous standout applicants. Check in not only to see where their path led, but what they’re learning, how their role has evolved, and what’s shaping their perspective now. Those conversations keep ideas flowing, relationships active, and your awareness sharp as talent and the market continue to shift.
- Build micro-communities around shared challenges: Invite a few peers, former employees, or industry contacts to discuss a common challenge—maybe AI integration, workflow automation, or leadership development. It doesn’t need to be formal. A small discussion group or virtual roundtable keeps your name in the mix and naturally surfaces people whose ideas and energy stand out.
- Keep an open door with recruiters: A quick “We’re quiet for now, but I’d love to keep tabs on the market” helps you stay looped into where talent is moving. The best recruiters have a front-row seat to shifts in skill sets, compensation expectations, and candidate availability. Staying in touch means you’ll know what’s changing—and who’s catching attention—long before you’re ready to hire.
The best time to invest in talent relationships isn’t when you have an opening. It’s now.
At J2, we’ve seen this play out over and over again. The leaders who make time to stay in touch are the ones who find it easiest to hire when the pace picks back up. Let’s talk about how you can strengthen your network and stay connected to emerging talent.