Not sure what to make of this email from a recruiter

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

I’ve received similar emails before and never know how to respond. I am actually interested in the role but it sounds like the recruiter is more interested in connecting to my colleagues than my background. How do you handle situation like this? Is he interested in recruiting me or just want to access my colleagues?

Hi XXX,

I am the XXX company recruiter. I came across your resume online and thought you may be able to refer me to people in your network that have a similar background as you. I have an opening based in SF area. Please find a brief summary of the role below. If you know anyone that may be interested please feel free to send this message to them for their review and they can contact me.

Thank you,
XXX

 

[Markbnj]

Just email him back and tell him you're interested, and attach your res. They send these networking inquiries out all the time. They're just fishing.

 

[sze5003]

I get these every day. If you want to interview for the position, just email him the resume. Otherwise send him a friend's email. Some recruiters offer you a bonus if you refer someone that they end up placing with a company.

 

[mikeford]

Sounds like spam, no real authority to search for applicants, but spam out a few thousand emails and spam any resume's you get to every company in 100 miles, and occasionally you can match up dumb and dumber.

 

[Leros]

This is typical recruiter garbage. Their tactic is to reach out to as many people by whatever means possible.

That doesn't necessarily mean you won't get a good job by responding to a message like this, but this stuffpisses me off because it destroys any usefulness I can get out sites like linked in. The signal to noise ratio is just too high.

 

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

Well, the role he proposed is relevant to what we do at our department. I just think the wording makes him sound like he is after my colleagues not me.

 

[alkemyst]

They are canned replies. I have gotten some back to back that simply replaced something like:

"...currently looking for programmers that you or someone in your network..."

with

"...currently looking for network engineers that you or someone in your network..."

The more they reach the more likely they can place someone. They get a nice commission usually for very little work when done like this.

 

[DesiPower]

This has become a common practice, generally recruiters would send emails asking if YOU were interested and people would just ignore or delete it. With this new format its gets your attention better (just like is the case of OP) and it also helps spread the word. I always receive emails from recruiters, several over a week, and I have noticed this trend over the last couple of years.

 

[PowerYoga]

respond if you want/need the job. If not ignore it.