Over the last year I have heard many stories of individuals that have done wrong by colleagues or fellow recruiters. Clients that have failed to pay a fee where one was due. Partners who have declined to follow through on their split-fee obligations. Professionals who have been duped by fellow "professionals." Hiring Managers that, somehow, claim that a presented candidate was already in their system. Colleagues that take advantage of your knowledge or skills with no return.

I had an interesting experience last year, about this time. I was working with several clients, helping them with hiring practices and implementing a social media strategy, making marketing more affordable during a difficult time. I had joined a couple Chambers of Commerce and worked hard to develop and maintain client relations. An individual that I had met through a chamber approached me following a networking event. She was interested in creating a partnership with me as she had many clients that had been asking her to create a social media strategy for them. Her own business was creating very simple websites, as well as hosting them and purchasing domains. But she had little experience with new media.

She requested a conference call to talk about strategy and billing. I gladly suggested a date and time and it seemed like we might be able to work well together. Our conversation went very well and became quite protracted as she asked multiple questions and seemed to really struggle with some of the concepts and the reasons for my suggestions. She asked me to repeat many things. I, at first, thought she might be a bit dense and then realized that she was taking in-depth notes and really working hard to understand all that I do for my clients. We arranged to speak again the next day when she would give to me some contact details of her current clients for whom I would help develop a marketing strategy.

I didn't hear from her the next day or the day after. On the third day, I left her a voicemail asking where we stood. She called me back within an hour and told me that her clients had decided that my fee was too high and that they weren't quite ready to move forward with a social media plan. She was very dodgy in her explanation and gave only one- or two-word answers to my questions. It seemed fishy and it was. Every time since then she has gone overboard to be nice, to sing my praises, to openly recommend me..., fishy. I since learned that she and her business partner / husband decided to do the work themselves. Fine. But be upfront with me; tell the truth. Have some character. Seems to be missing in some of our "professional" colleagues these days. And guilt proves the weak and those that lack. Sad, but true.

© by rayannethorn