Comments on: What I wish recruiters knew http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/01/17/what-i-wish-recruiters-knew/ advocacy for the job seeker Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:23:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Nancy B http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/01/17/what-i-wish-recruiters-knew/comment-page-1/#comment-230973 Nancy B Fri, 28 Mar 2008 06:08:17 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/archives/343#comment-230973 Today is a day of closure for me with the best and worst recruiter I have ever been associated with. Yes, they are the same person. The best recruiter experience – The recruiter called me out of the blue, was respectful of my time and not only set up a time to call back later in the week, but also sent a confirmation e-mail and then (gasp) called me back at the correct time and number. Through 2 phone interviews during Thanksgiving week, 4 cancellations by the hiring manager for the in person day of interviews that went on through the entire month of December, and a killer snow storm that made my flight be pushed back two days the recruiter was always the same friendly, professional, punctual, respectful dream contact. At every step they reminded me that the process could stop at anytime… that the position would be left open rather than have it be filled with anything less than a perfect match. The worst recruiter experience – The first offer was the last offer and meant a 40% cut in pay. But the company is well known, the team members were a dream to interview with, and the group goals aligned with my passion for process improvement. The offer letter included 2 generous bonuses (1 for housing and the other for signing) and full relocation costs… including payment for expenses if I chose to drive my spouse and puppies cross country. The 30 day waiting period came and went with no bonus check. I had to do all of the chasing. Suddenly my calls and e-mails went unanswered. The relocation consultant knew nothing; the recruiter was now a ghost. My first day on site I sent an e-mail from my sparkling new alias and what do I learn? There was a ‘mistake’ with my offer letter. Unless I sign a new letter of intent, with half the bonus, a lower pay grade, but the same pay $ and sign immediately I would not get any bonus and my first check won’t be cut for 30 days because you started a week too late for the mid month check. All of my possessions were in a truck somewhere in the Rockies… my now unemployed spouse and puppies were in corporate housing… we just signed a 1 year lease intending to use the now vanished $ for the required first / last / deposit. I was too scared to tell anyone… I let it go… no lawyer, no flame mail… I come to find out that no one gets into the group at the pay grade that I was originally offered if they are an outside hire, my new manager mentioned several times in the first week how lucky I should feel for coming in at such a high pay rate in my grade. Several other things have happened since to make me go hmmm…. this doesn’t feel like it was a one off… this feels like cost savings. Today the recruiter reached out through LinkedIn and asked to connect. What to do… I decided to let them know how conflicted I was… did they do this intentionally to get me to sign? Were they being used just as much as I? The reply came back about an hour later. They were shocked, and horrified, and confused, and apologetic. My first impression is that they are telling the truth so I am going to honor their inquiry into the details as they only vaguely remember a problem with my paperwork several years ago… and how can I fault someone who recruits dozens of people at a time for that! The moral of the story – the recruiter is always the chicken… you are always the pig… no matter how well meaning… you are still at risk of becoming the bacon. Today is a day of closure for me with the best and worst recruiter I have ever been associated with. Yes, they are the same person.
The best recruiter experience – The recruiter called me out of the blue, was respectful of my time and not only set up a time to call back later in the week, but also sent a confirmation e-mail and then (gasp) called me back at the correct time and number.

Through 2 phone interviews during Thanksgiving week, 4 cancellations by the hiring manager for the in person day of interviews that went on through the entire month of December, and a killer snow storm that made my flight be pushed back two days the recruiter was always the same friendly, professional, punctual, respectful dream contact.

At every step they reminded me that the process could stop at anytime… that the position would be left open rather than have it be filled with anything less than a perfect match.

The worst recruiter experience – The first offer was the last offer and meant a 40% cut in pay. But the company is well known, the team members were a dream to interview with, and the group goals aligned with my passion for process improvement. The offer letter included 2 generous bonuses (1 for housing and the other for signing) and full relocation costs… including payment for expenses if I chose to drive my spouse and puppies cross country.

The 30 day waiting period came and went with no bonus check. I had to do all of the chasing. Suddenly my calls and e-mails went unanswered. The relocation consultant knew nothing; the recruiter was now a ghost. My first day on site I sent an e-mail from my sparkling new alias and what do I learn?

There was a ‘mistake’ with my offer letter. Unless I sign a new letter of intent, with half the bonus, a lower pay grade, but the same pay $ and sign immediately I would not get any bonus and my first check won’t be cut for 30 days because you started a week too late for the mid month check. All of my possessions were in a truck somewhere in the Rockies… my now unemployed spouse and puppies were in corporate housing… we just signed a 1 year lease intending to use the now vanished $ for the required first / last / deposit.

I was too scared to tell anyone… I let it go… no lawyer, no flame mail… I come to find out that no one gets into the group at the pay grade that I was originally offered if they are an outside hire, my new manager mentioned several times in the first week how lucky I should feel for coming in at such a high pay rate in my grade. Several other things have happened since to make me go hmmm…. this doesn’t feel like it was a one off… this feels like cost savings.

Today the recruiter reached out through LinkedIn and asked to connect. What to do… I decided to let them know how conflicted I was… did they do this intentionally to get me to sign? Were they being used just as much as I?

The reply came back about an hour later. They were shocked, and horrified, and confused, and apologetic. My first impression is that they are telling the truth so I am going to honor their inquiry into the details as they only vaguely remember a problem with my paperwork several years ago… and how can I fault someone who recruits dozens of people at a time for that!

The moral of the story – the recruiter is always the chicken… you are always the pig… no matter how well meaning… you are still at risk of becoming the bacon.

]]> By: Lord http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/01/17/what-i-wish-recruiters-knew/comment-page-1/#comment-72630 Lord Mon, 17 Sep 2007 23:20:25 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/archives/343#comment-72630 <i>“spend two days shooting your resume to as many recruiters as you can and then don’t even look back.”</i> This is right on target. The next advice is if you receive a call to come in for "an interview, to see what you are looking for, and put you into our system" meaning they haven't bothered to read your resume and have no prospect of placing you, but only provide a database to their clients, or worse, are trying to sell you on their services, tell them you won't waste their time, if they don't waste yours. “spend two days shooting your resume to as many recruiters as you can and then don’t even look back.”

This is right on target. The next advice is if you receive a call to come in for “an interview, to see what you are looking for, and put you into our system” meaning they haven’t bothered to read your resume and have no prospect of placing you, but only provide a database to their clients, or worse, are trying to sell you on their services, tell them you won’t waste their time, if they don’t waste yours.

]]> By: Kasu Sista http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/01/17/what-i-wish-recruiters-knew/comment-page-1/#comment-27355 Kasu Sista Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:05:02 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/archives/343#comment-27355 Excellent post. My problem with recruiters is that they do not actually read the resume before they call you. Some matching program they have finds a key word in your resume and you get a call. These are just position fillers. I also have had recruiters call me, ask me to send them my resume, check my references, submit my resume and then never call me back. I understand that I did not get the job, but would have been nice if I got a phone call or an email. I must also say that I have worked with recruiters that are genuinely interested in what I do, are courteous, pleasant and keep in touch. Excellent post. My problem with recruiters is that they do not actually read the resume before they call you. Some matching program they have finds a key word in your resume and you get a call. These are just position fillers.
I also have had recruiters call me, ask me to send them my resume, check my references, submit my resume and then never call me back. I understand that I did not get the job, but would have been nice if I got a phone call or an email.
I must also say that I have worked with recruiters that are genuinely interested in what I do, are courteous, pleasant and keep in touch.

]]> By: FRACAT - Free Resume and Career Toolbox - Home http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/01/17/what-i-wish-recruiters-knew/comment-page-1/#comment-26313 FRACAT - Free Resume and Career Toolbox - Home Thu, 05 Apr 2007 15:09:56 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/archives/343#comment-26313 [...] I was rereading Jason Alba talking about his experience with recruiters and was reminded yet again of things that I need to make clear. [...] [...] I was rereading Jason Alba talking about his experience with recruiters and was reminded yet again of things that I need to make clear. [...]

]]> By: Barbara Safani http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/01/17/what-i-wish-recruiters-knew/comment-page-1/#comment-5257 Barbara Safani Mon, 22 Jan 2007 03:29:44 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/archives/343#comment-5257 Here's another thing candidates should know about...a recruiter's pet peeves concerning candidate resumes. Sounds like a great article, blog post, free special report/download, or podcast to me! Here’s another thing candidates should know about…a recruiter’s pet peeves concerning candidate resumes. Sounds like a great article, blog post, free special report/download, or podcast to me!

]]> By: Magic Pot of Jobs » What recruiters wish jobseekers knew about what jobseekers wish recruiters knew… http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/01/17/what-i-wish-recruiters-knew/comment-page-1/#comment-5197 Magic Pot of Jobs » What recruiters wish jobseekers knew about what jobseekers wish recruiters knew… Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:35:22 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/archives/343#comment-5197 [...] So was that title confusing enough?  Jason Alba makes some very thoughtful points about follow-up from recruiters and what expectations everyone should have of each other during the process.  The commenters make some excellent counter-points as well. [...] [...] So was that title confusing enough?  Jason Alba makes some very thoughtful points about follow-up from recruiters and what expectations everyone should have of each other during the process.  The commenters make some excellent counter-points as well. [...]

]]> By: Demetrius Pinder http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/01/17/what-i-wish-recruiters-knew/comment-page-1/#comment-5044 Demetrius Pinder Fri, 19 Jan 2007 03:47:05 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/archives/343#comment-5044 Awesome post! I've dealt with recruiters in the past and the points you hit on are right on the dot! Awesome post! I’ve dealt with recruiters in the past and the points you hit on are right on the dot!

]]> By: JibberJobber Blog » Blog Archive » Excellent Follow-up to What I Wish Recruiters Knew http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/01/17/what-i-wish-recruiters-knew/comment-page-1/#comment-4976 JibberJobber Blog » Blog Archive » Excellent Follow-up to What I Wish Recruiters Knew Thu, 18 Jan 2007 15:42:21 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/archives/343#comment-4976 [...] What do the recruiters have to say about the follow-up? Here are 4 quotes from the comments yesterday: [...] [...] What do the recruiters have to say about the follow-up? Here are 4 quotes from the comments yesterday: [...]

]]> By: David http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/01/17/what-i-wish-recruiters-knew/comment-page-1/#comment-4973 David Thu, 18 Jan 2007 14:21:10 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/archives/343#comment-4973 Very good points Jason. What I came to understand is that 99.99% of the Recruiters, unless they are retained by the job seeker, are focused on the jobs on their desk at that moment. If your qualifications do not meet their clients' needs (and remember, they are not working for you they are working for the company that hired them to find a candidate), they cannot do anything for you. I have only found 1 Recruiter who stuck with me and actually is being proactive in terms of helping me with my job search. If, by chance, you have an active opportunity that you are working on with a particular recruiter, follow up with them on a regular basis. Find out if there is a timeframe that the client has in mind for filling the position. Make it clear that you would like to know the status of the position either way. This way if the position is filled, you can tick it off your checklist (or Jibberjobber entry ;-))and move on. Typically the recruiter becomes focused on the active candidate rather than those that are not chosen. Think about it, do you think they really want to give out bad news every day? Moreover, if you are not the candidate of choice, try to get feedback on why you were not chosen. This will help in subsequent searches. Finally, remember that recruiters are only one avenue of your job search. Do not rely solely on them to find your next opportunity. Very good points Jason. What I came to understand is that 99.99% of the Recruiters, unless they are retained by the job seeker, are focused on the jobs on their desk at that moment. If your qualifications do not meet their clients’ needs (and remember, they are not working for you they are working for the company that hired them to find a candidate), they cannot do anything for you. I have only found 1 Recruiter who stuck with me and actually is being proactive in terms of helping me with my job search.

If, by chance, you have an active opportunity that you are working on with a particular recruiter, follow up with them on a regular basis. Find out if there is a timeframe that the client has in mind for filling the position. Make it clear that you would like to know the status of the position either way. This way if the position is filled, you can tick it off your checklist (or Jibberjobber entry ;-) )and move on. Typically the recruiter becomes focused on the active candidate rather than those that are not chosen. Think about it, do you think they really want to give out bad news every day?

Moreover, if you are not the candidate of choice, try to get feedback on why you were not chosen. This will help in subsequent searches.

Finally, remember that recruiters are only one avenue of your job search. Do not rely solely on them to find your next opportunity.

]]> By: Luc Arnold http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2007/01/17/what-i-wish-recruiters-knew/comment-page-1/#comment-4962 Luc Arnold Thu, 18 Jan 2007 04:31:24 +0000 http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/archives/343#comment-4962 Hi Robert, Well i can understand that responding back to 200 to 300 emails a day is not going to happen. I think i am looking at it from the wrong way from the jobseeker... i've got a rule when job hunting "If i don't hear from recruiters and i move on and keep going". Any tips for someone trying to get into recruiting Robert? How did you get into it? Talk to you soon, Lucas Hi Robert,

Well i can understand that responding back to 200 to 300 emails a day is not going to happen. I think i am looking at it from the wrong way from the jobseeker… i’ve got a rule when job hunting “If i don’t hear from recruiters and i move on and keep going”. Any tips for someone trying to get into recruiting Robert? How did you get into it?

Talk to you soon,

Lucas

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