When it comes to recruiting passive candidates it is important that recruiters identity what the candidate may be dissatisfied with in their current job.  There are basically two major reasons why a passive candidate would decide to leave their current employer and it’s up to the recruiter to identify which of these reasons are incentive enough for the candidate to consider a better opportunity.

1. The candidate’s work or workplace environment has become a source of unease.  Maybe the work is now boring and there is no excitement left in the job.  Or, maybe his/her peers or supervisors are not a good fit for the candidate’s personality or the culture of the firm overall is out of sync with the authentic personality of the candidate.  To find out if your candidate is dissatisfied with their work or workplace environment ask questions such as: “If you had the power, what would you change about your company, type of work or the environment you work in?”
2. The candidate’s career has stagnated with the current employer.  The candidate maybe has not been promoted or there is no room for upward mobility.  To find out if your candidate is experiencing career stagnation ask them questions such as, “Where do you see yourself in five years? Do you think you get there by working with your current employer?”

By asking candidates questions about their current employer, the recruiter can cause the candidate to reflect on what their current employer is lacking or failing to provide the candidate.  And once the candidate realizes where the current employer is lacking, the recruiter can then show them how the new opportunity can fulfill their unmet needs.