True story. Pete is a dear friend of mine. After eight years in recruitment, has decided that he’s had enough.
He’s had enough of the hours.
He’s had enough of the chasing.
He’s had enough of the competition.
So Pete (yes, let’s call him ‘Pete’) is becoming an author. No, he’s not writing about recruitment. Or CVs. Or interview techniques. He’s writing a book about travelling. Vietnam, to be precise.
“Pete,” I stutter, still trying to making sense of it all. “You’re a top recruiter. Everyone, especially your clients, think the world of you. You’ve chalked up more achievements and awards at your firm than anyone!”
Pete smooths his mocha’s cream with the bottom of his spoon, his expression completely empty. “Well, uh...I didn’t really ever like recruiting. And to tell you the truth, I don’t really know why I went into this business in the first place.”
Dear readers, I can tell exactly you why our friend Pete spent eight precious years in recruiting. Pete’s father happens to be one of the industry icons from the 80’s. It doesn’t take a Freud to work out what went on there.
Several days later, as part of filming our Innovate CV TV career advice interviews, we spoke to marketing and advertising extraordinaire, David Roth (CEO of advertising massive firm WPP's The Store). We asked David what he thought the first and foremost piece of advice he would offer those thinking about a career in marketing.
“Do you really want to get into marketing?”
Now David’s answer, I’ll admit, didn’t initially strike me as...well, enlightening. But it only took a moment, given the context of my recent conversation with Pete, to appreciate this pearl of wisdom.
Until now, Pete, he had been running on the thrill of achievement and success. But honour and glory (and all the glittery things that go with it) can carry a person only so far. And after eight years, Pete had reached a point where he didn’t know why he was getting out of bed in the morning.
I have been blessed to meet some remarkable personalities in our industry. One 29 year industry veteran, his face alight with enthusiasm, bellowed: “Do you realise how we change people’s lives? Their families? How we change the companies that we send our clients to? Do you understand that what we do as an industry has a material effect on the local and global economy! We’re transforming the world!”
This man has thrived for 29 years in this industry because he not only believes his words; but he breaths them.
If only Pete asked himself all those years ago, “Pete...do you really want to get into recruitment?”
Apologies to everyone for not replying sooner! I usually get emails when there are replies to any of my blog posts.
Mitch, you need to take this veteran's comments in perspective. While he's not pretending that recruiters are finding the cure to cancer, he
is making a point that recruiters make a significant impact in orgs that do
change the world.
And of course, recruiters impact individuals in ways that need no explanation.
I applaud his enthusiasm. And given how fashionable it is to be cynical today, his views are wonderfully refreshing. Good for him, his employers, clients and candidates.
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