Top performers are searching for opportunities, not just jobs.  Even if they’re unemployed and especially if they are already working, they won’t budge unless the job offered by a recruiter is framed as an opportunity for career growth and advancement.  So how does a recruiter find out if the employer’s open position is a mere job or a career opportunity?  Below are a few tips:

• Ask the employer to describe the types of opportunities for advancement and growth available while in the position.  Will the new hire be eligible for promotion?  If so, how soon?  Does the employer offer mentors, training or do they fund education?  Will the new hire have an opportunity to work on important projects that allow them to gain skills necessary for advancement? If so, what type of projects? Make sure the employer offers details so that you can share this with job candidates.
• Find out who has taken the job before and performed well.  Was this person promoted? If so, to what position?  How long did it take for them to be promoted? What skills and qualities earned them the promotion?  Try to get two or three stories about people who used the job to launch the rest of their careers and share those stories with job candidates.
• Ask the hiring manager how the job is important to the overall operations of the firm. Top performers want to know that what they’re doing is really making a difference.  Make sure you can explain to job candidates how the position is critical to the success of the company.