Resigning My Position As Career Coach of the Universe

You win, universe. I quit. I hereby resign as career coach helping the wayward un/under-employed. You know I feel a responsibility – a moral obligation, even – to help job seekers. I don’t mean candidates for my company – I mean job seekers who can do no more for me than say thank you. I just think it’s the right thing to do – to offer help and career guidance when and where I can. I've reviewed hundreds of resumes, mock interviewed candidates, edited LinkedIn profiles, made intros to other recruiters… but no more. I'm tired. I'm worn out hearing that networking doesn't work. I'm exhausted by the constant complaining about how much recruiters suck. The continual blame game has made me dog-tired. I am sick to death of apologizing for my industry and I can't explain to one more person that I am paid to find PEOPLE for JOBS, not the other way around.

I quit.

How did I get here, you ask? What made me finally decide to throw up my hands and stop trying to be so damn helpful? It was actually a snide comment made about a recruiter I know personally. Let me tell you something about the Seattle market. It's SMALL. For such a big city, the recruiting/HR community is pretty tight. So when a job seeker I'd been trying to help threw a friend under the bus, I had ENOUGH. I was surprised to hear that this recruiter had been non-responsive. When I asked for more details I found out that apparently, the recruiter had been an outright bitch and treated my job seeker like day old dog crap. I was shocked (I told you I knew this recruiter, right?) and asked for more details. I got to listen to a very nice voicemail where the "bad recruiter" explained in the nicest way possible why this job seeker wasn't a fit for a role.

What. The. #^(%.

At first I just sat there, too stunned to speak. Then finally I said "help me understand. I get that you're bummed you didn't get the call for this job, but if you're not a fit, what would you like [recruiter] to have done?" Job seeker looked at me like I had grown an extra head. He couldn't believe that my recruiter pal wasn't going to "get" him a job. He also couldn't believe that the recruiter wouldn't just send him to the client, because the client should be the one to decide if he was qualified or not. My friend is a commission only agency recruiter. There is no throwing mud at the wall and seeing what sticks, people. As if that wasn't enough, this job seeker has apparently nominated my friend to be his own personal career concierge. It is the recruiter's job to find him employment.

I just… I can't even… what?

Do accountants deal with this? Plumbers? Lawyers? Is there any other profession that is expected to provide professional advice for free, and then get slapped when it's not "good enough?" I'll admit I ask professional friends and family for advice, but if I want my taxes done I certainly don't expect my CPA buddy to do it for free! Here's a better analogy – my friend gives me tax advice, I don't take it, then it's her fault when I get audited and have to owe.

I'm going to be honest. I don't know very many "bad" recruiters. Maybe I'm lucky, or maybe I just don't see it, but I like to think most of the people I've crossed paths with professionally are pretty darn good at what they do. If they are giving you advice, please consider it. Test it out. Get a second opinion if you want. But whatever you do, please don't blame us for your ineffective job search if you're not willing to do the simplest things we suggest. There is a lot of crappy, conflicting advice out there and you know I'll call it out when I see it. So help me help you, yeah?

I'll resume my self-appointed position tomorrow.

Comment by Kelly Blokdijk on April 3, 2013 at 2:49pm: At least once a week someone will contact me and ask is I know any headhunters I can introduce them to.

ME: maybe, but first why is it that you are interested in meeting them?

THEM: I need someone to help me find a XYZ job.

ME: Oh, Ok. Well, you do realize that recruiters (headhunters) don't do that, right?

THEM: Well, see I have blah, blah, blah experience in such and such and beaucoup expertise in yada yada, bing bang, industry so, I really just need to speak with headhunters in that space that can help me get a new job.

ME: Of course I know plenty of people that recruit and it probably wouldn't hurt for you to become connected to similar people, but it is really important that you understand they work for the hiring company/client to find people that fit the hiring company's criteria. They don't work for job seekers to find openings that fit the job seekers criteria. And, even you impress them, the probability of you remaining top of mind by the time a suitable requisition comes along is minimal. I want to make sure your expectations are realistic about how the process typically works.

THEM: Ok, well I'm going to go ahead and get back in touch with some headhunters I've worked with before to see how they can help me out.

ME: Great. Best of luck. If you decide you need any help with your resume, LinkedIn profile, written professional networking materials or cover/introduction correspondence please give me a call back. Or, if you need customized job search advice, interview preparation, etc., pertaining to your specific situation, feel free to get back in touch to discussion that as well. Either way, please keep me up to date on your situation and let me know how things are going in your search.

I always find it interesting that people seem to have zero interest in paying attention to someone trying to look out for their best interests. And, when they do recognize the useful source of info, they don't seem inclined to show appreciation for the time, energy, effort or expertise involved with delivering that type of help.

Comment by Roleta Fowler Vasquez on April 4, 2013 at 5:41am: Amy, your exasperation is shared and I am glad you have not left us. As recruiters and career coaches, however, it is really in our best interest to prepare clients for inevitable rejection. Yes, we are all stars in our own homes, but the world may not agree. Tell them they are not alone in their pain but not to lick their wounds too long or the scab will never form. Point out that movie stars, sports heroes, book authors, and love seeking bachelors face rejection daily but dust themselves off and get back in the race.

Things within his control can be changed: If his job qualifications are in question, he should have his resume and cover letter evaluated and rewritten by an executive level career coach/resume writer. He can Google himself to ensure his reputation is sacrosanct. He may need to update training or certifications, especially if his degree is more than 10 years old. He should have an image consultant look at his photo or wardrobe.

I am so gald to read your recruiter friend let this man down gently. This being said, not being a "good fit" can mean so many things that are unmentionable because of EEO implications that can rarely be proven (race, gender, marital status); because of esoteric qualifications (not the right college, memberships, or connections); because of science or superstition (signature/photo/voice/body language was analyzed by experts and he was judged a sociopath; astrologist did not like him). These things are largely out of his control and he needs to be advised to tackle his next job target.

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on April 4, 2013 at 10:04am: Roleta, thanks for commenting. While I agree resume writers, image consultants etc can all be helpful, this is more a rant about those that reject any advice no matter how simple and simply prefer to rage at the unfairness of us recruiters not "giving" them a job.

I can say all these things until I'm blue in the face but the fact remains some job seekers don't want to take any responsibility or action for their own search.

Comment by Derdiver on April 4, 2013 at 10:26am: Well, Amy, I think you would look fabulous in blue soooo.....

Comment by KKenner on April 5, 2013 at 5:37pm: oh no...We need Career Coaches! lol.. I once worked for a very popular employer in my market, and when people found out I worked there...Ohhh..let me send you my mom's resume, she needs a job, or my sisters, or...well you get the idea. I would say, send all you want, but that doesn't mean it will get them the job. "What, what do you mean, you are a recruiter aren't you?"...(on a side note, most of those resumes were soooo not a fit for any of my openings). So, if we quit the Career Coaching job, we might also need to quit our Miracle worker one too! lol