So,this is recruiting now and we are ok with it?

Oh, did this did just happen to me?

Recently I was called by a recruiting agency recruiter. The person, from Manpower, called me about a position that he was looking to fill for an engineering/technical recruiter. I am not shocked by this as that is what we do for a living. However what did shock me was the pedantic way in which the person went about it while leaving a message. It was almost robotic in its very essence. The person was more than likely young and reading from a script given to them written 20 years ago but still, there was no passion. NO reason for me to even want to return the call even if was somewhat interested.

So what did I do? I called the person back. I figured why not? I know some people that are looking that could be qualified for a technical recruiting role. So I called back at the number they left. (it was different then the caller ID). I left a message for them and like so many candidates I waited to hear back and check on the exchange. Nothing. I waited the normal 24 hours and called again. I left a message again. Nothing. I called a third time yet this time I did not leave a message. I came to the conclusion it was a waste of time. My question though was WHY CALL me in the first place if you never intended to speak with me? Why leave the message?

The answer: This recruiter was given a call sheet and told to call and leave messages. I wonder what would have happened if picked up the phone when it rang I thought to myself. The person would have been utterly terrified. Either that or I would have had the same apathetic attitude of a meat grinding recruiter just talking to add another number to the excel call sheet. Sadly knowing this calling a recruiter with years of experience meant nothing to this person or the agency. What does this reflect on if I were a programmer or senior manager? What does this say about us as a collective group of people building a SEO or brand that must fight against this type of lazy recruiting that so many candidates AND us complain about.

We as a community need to point this out to not only ourselves but to the customers we support. Whether you are a corporate, agency, or independent recruiter your customer deserves better and most assuredly is paying you to be better. Once we as a group strive towards this we will all be better off in my opinion. Shame on Manpower, shame on the person managing this recruiter, and shame on us for not calling them out by name more often.

Comment by Derdiver on April 19, 2013 at 2:10pm: David - I see it as a problem when you call a senior candidate in ANY field ASK for a call back then zero follow up. I see this as painting the crap picture that so many candidates complain about and recruiters that complain that they don't get calls back when leaving messages. WHY did you call in the first place?

Mitch, if the position was filled you would assume that they MAY in the future have another position that they would need to fill. Why would you crap on a candidate without thinking they would not remember the experience? I have led teams and this would have been an immediate cause for me to kick a recruiter out the door. You represent not only yourself but my company as well. You have now done a disservice to all involved. Go work at the burger joint this is for professionals. Oh and How are you!?!?! Been a while since we have chatted. Good to see you!

Comment by Derdiver on April 19, 2013 at 2:12pm: Amy, Old is a state of mind! I love the peddle Viagra comment that was something I need to use in the future when an agency calls asking to fill one of my jobs.

Comment by Mitch Sullivan on April 19, 2013 at 2:34pm: Hi Derek.

I was just feeling sorry for this Manpower guy and thought I'd defend him. You know, for a laugh.

Comment by Derdiver on April 19, 2013 at 2:36pm: Mitch, THAT is the reason I miss our exchanges!!!

Comment by Ryan Leary on April 20, 2013 at 8:53am: Great post and I agree that this is a black mark on the industry. I'd be very interested in learning more about what big agency recruiters have to say about this.

Comment by Chris Grove on April 20, 2013 at 9:45am: The problem with dealing with other recruiters is that you notice the errors and awful lack of professionalism so much more. I had a rec to rec email me two weeks ago with a spec CV, weirdly I was actually interested, called him back and left a message saying I'd be keen to talk... since then, not heard anything.

Comment by Derdiver on April 20, 2013 at 11:05am: Tragically we will not here from the large agencies as they see this as a job before they do something else. I get the weeding out part but it frustrates me with the taste in candidates mouths. I made my list of who I would and won't work with at any company I am working with or consulting to. I think we all should.

Comment by Recruiting Animal on April 24, 2013 at 8:38pm: Why are you saying them instead of him or her. It's not sexist to use a singular pronoun.

Comment by Derdiver on April 25, 2013 at 7:33am: Animal, it was a guy that called. I was pointing out the process more than the person. Some companies are just used to failure so when things like this happen its a shoulder shrug and move on. I feel it effects us all in the long run.

Comment by Jeanna Zivalich on May 10, 2013 at 12:43pm: This type of recruiting doesn't surprise me. I worked for one of the big names (I wont mention which). What may have happened was this recruiter had a contract position open at the time of the call, and since he wasn't able to connect with you, he simply went on to the next person he found on line and so on to fill his 'HOT' position..... Probably doesn't enjoy it much which is why he left such an uninteresting message and sad, sad message. When you're driven like a 'robot' because of the corp structure you're not free to be creative (as opposed to calling off a script) and you basically lose interest and feel like you HAVE to do something. Sad but true. Sounds like this kid doesn't like his job much. Maybe he can help Jerry A. with a few split fee placements ;).