Should I reach out to recruiters even if there's no open role right now?

Yes. The goal is to be top of mind when a role does open. Recruiters are constantly working on upcoming positions, not just current postings. If you've had a conversation with a recruiter at a company you care about, and a relevant role opens two weeks later, there's a good chance they'll think of you first — especially if you made a strong impression. Building recruiter relationships before there's urgency is far more effective than cold outreach at the moment a role posts. The message is simple: express genuine interest in the company, share your background briefly, and let them know you'd love to be considered as soon as something relevant opens up.