Wednesday Wisdom: Drink 'em Pretty

Dear Claudia,

Is it unethical to recruit in a bar? A friend of mine says that alcohol and recruiting do not mix because people tend to make stupid decisions under the influence; I say that some of my best placements have come from strangers I met over drinks. What do you say?

Cheers in Boston

Dear Cheers,

Oh, for crying in your beer. I say that it’s a mark of a slow economy when recruiters have nothing better to do than argue the ethics of candidate sources. Is it better to recruit someone at church or the beach? How about on My Space or in a public restroom? I’m pretty sure that alcohol shows up in these places, too.

My take is that anywhere you meet the right candidate is a good place. The challenge isn’t in the introduction; it’s in the assessment. Meet candidates wherever life takes you, and the more the merrier; save the evaluation to the cold light of day, however, and you’ll probably have a higher stick rate in your placements.

**

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by pam claughton on December 3, 2008 at 9:22am

Claudia,

I agree, anywhere is fine. I once placed a candidate that I recruited in the elevator on my way up to the office! You never know....

~Pam

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Permalink Reply by Marilyn Waitkus on December 3, 2008 at 2:33pm

Rule number one in recruiting: Never stop recruiting! I've recruiting on the train, in line a the grocery store and once in my gyno's office! I have found people at bars, but I give a card and call the next day when we both have taken off our beer goggles.

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Permalink Reply by Claudia Faust on December 3, 2008 at 2:57pm

Seems like a good consensus so far... now I'm really curious: where is the most curious/interesting/bizarre place you've ever met a candidate? Any takers?

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Permalink Reply by Kristin on December 8, 2008 at 10:38am

I would agree that the location shouldn't matter. A lot of successful matches take place because you have met someone on a personal level.

Kristin Bolinske.
Bolinske Consulting & Recruiting.

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Permalink Reply by Claudia Faust on December 8, 2008 at 10:44am

Rayanne, I love the accent on FIT in your response. Candies have to add value to the employer, but they also have to fit well into the environment. It's all about the matchmaking!

Rayanne said:

once you get them to look, it is time for you, the recruiter, to make an in-depth analysis as to the beneFIT this candidate can bring to the organization you represent.

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Permalink Reply by Claudia Faust on December 8, 2008 at 10:46am

Kristin, what's the most interesting place you've met a candidate that you later placed? inquiring minds want to know...

Kristin said:

I would agree that the location shouldn't matter. A lot of successful matches take place because you have met someone on a personal level.

Kristin Bolinske.
Bolinske Consulting & Recruiting.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Levy on December 8, 2008 at 10:49am

With a bit of liquor you stand a better chance of hearing the truth...but in the bathroom? Uh, I think this could be a bit more objective for us men.

(will I now be banned for my answer?)

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Permalink Reply by Claudia Faust on December 8, 2008 at 10:53am

LOL. Nope, free language zone here my friend.

Steve Levy said:

With a bit of liquor you stand a better chance of hearing the truth...but in the bathroom? Uh, I think this could be a bit more objective for us men.

(will I now be banned for my answer?)