What Are The Biggest Challenges For High-Tech Recruiters In The US Market?

I’m a little curious about this for the reasons below... and for those with exposure to both sides of the coin, how in your opinion does recruiting into the US Market vary from the UK Market?

The reason I ask is, because I’m facing a little quandary... after spending a few months out in the US, I’m now back in the UK and based here recruiting... in simple terms, what I do is all Silicon Valley type stuff for which there’s also a market in the UK and Europe

I’m currently receiving some outstanding CVs / profiles of US based candidates within my vertical that I’m obviously keen to open an increasing number of doors for in the US... I’m knowledgeable enough to know where the jobs are... I even have direct line manager / technical contact names within these organisations... I also have internal recruitment / HR names where applicable, but anyone who’s caught a few of my posts thus far will know I’m not one for using official channels where they can be avoided... and I have candidates that are fantastic matches for these positions that would bite my hand off for them...

I can’t imagine it to be the case, (and I don’t want to incur the wrath of the US contributors to this forum!) but are US recruiters just not on their game? How can there be this many jobs that I know about when I’m recruiting EMEA? How can I be getting access to this many excellent US-based and eligible candidates compared to US recruiters when I’m based outside the US!? And how come these candidates have not been submitted to (and ultimately interviewed for) these positions? It’s not making any sense!!

I’m contemplating putting in some serious hours off the clock between 9pm – 12am UK time to biz dev with these companies... it just seems like such a golden opportunity!

But help me out... there’s got to be something I’m not aware of that means US third party recruiters are not filling these positions / getting these guys interviews?

And as for my renegade UK approach of skipping HR, winning the manager over and having him do my dirty work by forcing it all through... will it get me sent packing in the current US market?

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Albright on February 23, 2009 at 8:33pm

Hi Leigh. Your post gives us several interesting topics to choose from. I'm hoping this might a couple interesting conversations here.

Where to begin? How about - have at it! Your enthusiasm for the staffing arts is evident. Sounds like you've uncovered a few positions that the locals have not. I can't see any reason in the world for you to not pursue them.

I'm wondering just how many of us (US Recruiters) may just be missing the work right under their noses. (You know we're in a recession......so, well, uh......you know..........they'll probably just say no anyway......)

Just kidding of course! If I can help you in your journey I'd love to connect on Skype. My account is jerry.albright

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Permalink Reply by Leigh McKiernon on February 23, 2009 at 9:12pm

Thanks for the input Jerry... I definitely think that this topic has the potential to spawn some interesting replies from the members here!

I do agree with what you’re saying... I think it is one of those things where you just have to do it to see whether you’ve hit upon a goldmine or you’re actually looking at something which looks promising but hasn’t proven to be viable for those who have explored the avenue...that said, in the position that really taught me the ropes, we were all pre-conditioned with the belief during training and subsequent role at SThree that if it hasn’t come off for someone else then, that’s because it wasn’t you pitching it, lol...

I’d definitely be interested in catching up on Skype at some point... from your profile page and contributions to the board, there seems to be a wealth of knowledge / perspective to draw upon, and I’d hope that my experience and approach could lend itself to similar...

Jerry Albright said:

Hi Leigh. Your post gives us several interesting topics to choose from. I'm hoping this might a couple interesting conversations here.

Where to begin? How about - have at it! Your enthusiasm for the staffing arts is evident. Sounds like you've uncovered a few positions that the locals have not. I can't see any reason in the world for you to not pursue them.

I'm wondering just how many of us (US Recruiters) may just be missing the work right under their noses. (You know we're in a recession......so, well, uh......you know..........they'll probably just say no anyway......)

Just kidding of course! If I can help you in your journey I'd love to connect on Skype. My account is jerry.albright