When many people hear from a recruiter, their first reaction is disinterest: “I’m not looking for a new job, so I don’t need your help.” Of course, recruiters provide much more value than job placement assistance. A great recruiter isn’t going to push a relationship – but they do want the people they work with to understand their options and make informed decisions about their careers.

Here are five reasons someone might decide not to speak to a recruiter – and five reasons to reconsider.

1. You plan to retire at your current company. If you’re working with a company where you feel valued and fulfilled, where you know you want to retire, a great recruiter’s response will always be “Congratulations!” It’s the best-case scenario to find your permanent career home, and any great recruiter will wish you well there.
   – Why Reconsider? Plans change. How confident are you that, in the next five or ten years, you won’t be affected by economic headwinds, leadership changes, or mergers? Are you certain that your personal or family needs won’t change in ways that mean you need to consider other options? Even if you love your company, talking to a recruiter might not be a bad idea – you may not need or want job placement help today, but you never know what might happen in the future, and having a recruiter in your network can only benefit you down the line.
2. You’re comfortable where you are. For some employees, learning and growth opportunities are a key part of career satisfaction. But not every employee is chasing change – some want a comfortable job they enjoy with a steady paycheck that supports their lifestyle, and that’s enough. If that’s you, great! A good recruiter understands that an employee’s fulfillment is what matters most.
   – Why Reconsider? For many employees, “comfortable” and “fulfilled” aren’t the same thing. You might be comfortable where you are, but are you learning? Are you being challenged? Are you advancing in your career, if that’s something you want? Are you truly fulfilled? If you’re not sure about the answers to those questions, talking to a recruiter can help you better understand what you’re looking for long term, so that even if you decide to stay where you are, you’re better informed and more confident in your career management decisions.
3. You’re confident that your career will grow exactly as planned. Many professionals understand the importance of long-term career planning. You may have well-defined five- and ten-year plans for your career growth, and you might even communicate regularly with your boss to ensure that your plans are on track. If you feel confident in your trajectory, you might not see a need to speak with a recruiter.
   – Why Reconsider? Unfortunately, there’s a reason “the best-laid plans” is such a common phrase: no matter how carefully you plan, sometimes forces beyond your control can affect your life and career in ways you could never have planned for. For example, there might be leadership changes or market shifts that force you to rethink how you move forward in your career. In the event of unexpected changes, having a recruiter in your corner to guide you through difficult circumstances can help ensure that while your career might not develop exactly as you planned it, you can still reach your goals.
4. You’re not interested in testing your value in the market. Some employees are lucky enough to feel confident, comfortable, and valued with their employers – and for those employees, knowing about other options in the market doesn’t appeal to them. When you enjoy and appreciate your job and all that comes with it, there may be no need to ask, “What else might be out there?”
   – Why Reconsider? Information is power. You might be perfectly happy with how your current company values you – from compensation to benefits to growth opportunities and work-life balance. But a relationship with a recruiter can help keep you informed about what’s going on in your market, and whether there might be other opportunities where your skills and strengths are valued even more highly. Staying informed about market trends doesn’t mean you have to make a job change; instead, it can help you negotiate for a raise, promotion, or benefit increase, or even just help you make informed decisions as you manage your career over the long term.
5. You trust that the best opportunities will find you. Many industry leaders have never had to hunt down opportunities – instead, their professional achievements and networks have helped them land new opportunities throughout their careers. Some have never even had to write a resume; their reputation alone has been enough to get them in the door with great companies!
   – Why Reconsider? Passively accepting opportunities as they arise throughout your career might work well for some people – but for others, it can be a risky way to approach long-term career management. Many of the top opportunities in the market are never going to be advertised; they require insider knowledge and relationships that you might not have on your own. Partnering with a recruiter can help ensure you’re aware of all opportunities that might be a fit for your long-term career goals, helping you take an active role in managing your career so that you don’t miss out on anything.

Not every employee wants or needs to have a relationship with a recruiter – but there are a lot of great reasons to speak to one, even if you’re not actively job searching. If you have the opportunity to connect with a recruiter, ask yourself whether these five reasons not to speak to them apply to you, or if you should reconsider and take the call – just in case.