Do you "Like" It? Seriously, I Don't Care

In a world consumed by social media we often get consumed with "likes". What in the world is our world coming to? Please tell me! I feel pretty comfortable in my own skin. I have some great friends, an awesome family, a fantastic job and I feel pretty lucky. Ladies and Gentlemen, let me tell you something. We all are pretty lucky. We may have had some ups and downs in our lives- things aren't always rosy. We have all been given some sort of gift though and we should use them to the best of our abilities. My gift probably isn't the same as yours and vice versa.

I am different from most in that I often stir the pot. You may not "like" what I have to say. At least though, I have provoked some sort of thought. At least, I am honest. At least I am ethical and I stand up for what I believe in.

Are you? Do you know who you are? When you recruit that candidate do they always like what you have to say? They shouldn't. They shouldn't like hearing "No", but at least you gave them an honest answer. You may tell them another candidate got the job because they interviewed better. That is okay also. They may not "like" you.

When you are on social media, I think people write things to please people. I hope I haven't done that. If I have then I have failed. I wish there was a "Dislike" button or "Disagree" button because in reality, that is how the world works. We don't like everything.

Why do you recruit? Why are you in HR? Do you want people to "like" you all the time? If you are, you picked the wrong profession my friend. There are some better occupations for you, but this is the wrong one.

Would you agree? Thank goodness for the naysayers. You know who you are.

Comment by Amy McDonald on February 3, 2014 at 3:45pm: I'll agree with you, and with Amy. I always want to throw one of my stress balls through the laptop when someone slams one of my posts but in my own way I love it too. I love the debate and it gets my blood pumping to defend my point of view. If I don't respond it's because I'm kicking myself not having a good come back. I would also like ot note some of my best friends in the industry are those that I had a heated argument with at some point. There is a certain amount of trust that is built between professionals when you can agree to disagree. Thanks for the post, Will.

Comment by Will Thomson on February 3, 2014 at 3:58pm: Derek- good principal man. As a recruiter, you better knock my socks off- right?

Amy- You are so right. Looking back at it, I have written some pretty bad stuff over the years. I'll own it. I've been called out on it also. I've grown as an individual because of people calling me out on it. Mentors aren't meant to say you are doing everything right, they are there to point out weaknesses to make you better. At this point, I really don't take things as personally as I used to, although it does sting from time to time. As a Recruiter, I make mistakes- we all do. We all learn from one another.

Comment by Kelly Blokdijk on February 3, 2014 at 5:16pm: Every time I hear someone say they want to (or do) work in HR or recruiting because they are a "people person" it makes my skin crawl. So phony.

You don't do this kind of work for validation or to attract "friends" or if you care whether or not anyone likes you or what you stand for. If you want to be seen as friendly, non-confrontational and likable, become a Walmart greeter.

I'm not really in favor of a dislike or disagree button, unless clicking it requires commenting on why or what you don't like about it. That would be WAY more beneficial. Even if/when liking something, it is helpful to specify why or what you like about it.

Comment by Keith D. Halperin on February 3, 2014 at 5:24pm: Thanks. Will.

I have two comments for now:

The Moors of North Africa (who have been around for at least a couple thousand years and have seen a thing or two) have a saying: "Kiss the hand you cannot sever".

2) "Revenge is a dish best serve cold.... with a nice pinot grigio and afterward, maybe a light sorbet."

YOWZA!

Keith

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on February 3, 2014 at 5:29pm: I live for the moments when someone dislikes something I've written. Unfortunately they rarely come back and address my rebuttal. ;)

Comment by Will Thomson on February 3, 2014 at 5:36pm: Kelly- True story, when I got my Master's degree- the first question the professor asked is why are you wanting to be in HR? A student responded "I am a people person". The professor said calmly, you need to get out now. There are several other professions, but I think you are making a severe mistake. You should probably drop this course. I am saving you time.

Maybe there should be an "agree" "strongly agree" "disagree" or "strongly disagree" box? :)

Keith- with all due respect my friend- you lost me. I don't think it is revenge at all. It is simply growth and learning. YOWZA! :)

Comment by Will Thomson on February 3, 2014 at 5:37pm: Amy- I missed yours. No, people rarely come back for your rebuttal- I agree. :)

Comment by Stephen Nehez, Jr. on February 4, 2014 at 10:08am: ....the money helps. Motivate. Yea. That's about it.

As I tell the folks in my office. We've chosen this "world of no's".

The door's over there.

Comment by Keith D. Halperin on February 4, 2014 at 3:05pm: @ Will (Employment): I'm just being silly... I enjoy recruiting because I like putting quality butts in chairs on time and within budget. I also like being occasionally paid to annoy people (CORRECTION: "Hiring Managers") into doing what they should do. I'd like to learn how to be paid to tell the high-level Staffing Heads who listen to the charlatans and self -proclaimed "Recruiting Thought Leaders" what they should do based on what has been proven to work rather than someone's"visions" or "revelations" on what recruiting should be in some heavenly realm.

-kh

Comment by Will Thomson on February 4, 2014 at 3:19pm: Hey Steve- agreed. We just need to tell people "you aren't hired" , No, You aren't as good. No, you weren't the person picked. That is not "like" worthy. Money keeps you from going insane because it is hard to say those things sometimes.

Keith- I know you were playing. Well Stated. As a recruiter, you are in the trenches, you are the one who knows what works and doesn't work. Not a marketing person.

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