Stop Trying To Reinvent Recruiting

Seriously. Just stop. STAHP. You’re embarrassing yourself and the community at large. If I see one more ridiculous, self-serving post about the “recruitment agency of the future!” and how y’all are going to CHANGE EVERYTHING I will probably just burst into tears out of pure frustration. You. Are. Full. Of. Crap. Recruiting, recruitment, whatever the hell you call it is a pretty freaking simple process. Get paid to find people for jobs. THAT’S IT.

Social Media is not going to save you. Your false promises about personally hand delivering every single resume you ever receive to companies DESPERATE for your services stink to high heaven. I am beyond irritated with your nonsense. A recent post on here (I refuse to link to it - I will NOT provide click bait) promises that recruitment agencies treat every individual differently and only short-lists after each and every application is examined, thereby insuring only the most talented candidates get first preference.

You sir, are full of caca.

Here’s why. Most recruiters, including yours truly, will use a variety of methods to identify qualified candidates. I will review applications that come in. I will source on LinkedIn, various job boards, social media sites (sometimes) and anywhere else I think people with the right skills might be found. I will then make contact with said candidates, hoping they’re interested in the role as well. And so it goes. The funnel tightens, with people being rejected or rejecting the opportunity. It happens. I will use Boolean strings, key words, any number of ways to narrow the pool. Because that is my job. I will do my best to get back to everyone who took the time to apply and CERTAINLY everyone who gets a 2^nd look – if you’ve interviewed you deserve the courtesy of closure, you better believe it.

We have to stop making false promises to candidates. This pisses me off more than anything else. I do what I can to help candidates get visibility in my (very large) organization, but I also try to be very honest about what I can and can’t do. I’ll give advice on resumes, always with the caveat that it’s one recruiter’s opinion, your mileage may vary. For special skill sets I’ll do everything I can to create an “opportunity hire” – basically finding a home for someone AWESOME that my company can benefit from. This is more common on the agency side, let’s face it. Still, most hires happen because there’s an open position.

As both a former agency recruiter and current corporate recruiter, let me tell you what I REALLY want from you. Find qualified people in a timely fashion for a decent price. As a former candidate who’s found plenty of gigs over the years through agencies, let me tell you what I expect. Be honest with me about the companies (and kinds of roles) you can present me to. Give me honest feedback on my resume, interview skills, and presentation. I know you’re being paid by the client, but I also know it’s possible we can help each other out by making the hiring manager happy.

I’ve been doing this for almost 15 years, and with the exception of the internet making information easier to come by, the basics of finding jobs, finding people, and bringing them together has not changed. Stop trying to make recruiting something it’s not.

Comment by Tim Spagnola on February 5, 2014 at 12:18pm: @Paul - always great to hear your voice and insights. Don't be a stranger to the RBC. No one on this thread for that matter. Our team is doing a lot behind the scenes to make this community a place to speak open and freely, but most importantly....talk 'real' recruiting. We all grow tired of the fluff and it is voices like yours Paul that make the conversation far more engaging.

That said - who made a placement today? Real Recruiters never turn it off (nor have the time generate hot air that will have no impact on one's desk). Another t-shirt perhaps? ; )

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on February 5, 2014 at 12:26pm: I'm making an offer at noon. Do I get a tshirt?? ;)

Comment by Derdiver on February 5, 2014 at 12:26pm: @stephen I dont have time to do my job and yours. That is why people use 3rd party recruiters right? I mean YOU are the superstar that working with that one person NO ONE else is working with right? I dont need you to find a person I can readily find on my own and most of the time faster and better than you. I dont need your database but IMO MOSTAGENCIES have a wet behind the ears kid reading from a script and have no idea what they are selling just putting like words together. I have built databases in the past and have a very nice one filled with people that would only be found through referrals. I do not need to prove myself to you or anyone. Your type needs ME I dont need you. Period. Besides if I was going to hire someone I would hire Jerry Albright. @Paul, LOVE your comment needed to be said.

Comment by Linda Ferrante on February 5, 2014 at 1:36pm: Great article! So true, too. I agree with whomever said there are great, good and so-so recruiters. Great recruiters have a reputation that speaks for itself (referrals are best anyway, aren't they?!) and so-so recruiters are always selling the next best snake oil solution.

Bottom line, help fix a problem for a client and you're good. The biggest problem in the world won't be solved with a huge database, or the newest snake oil.

Comment by Keith D. Halperin on February 5, 2014 at 1:38pm: @ Amy: well said.

@ Paul, well said, too. Think I'll steal some of it...

@ Lots of folks: Gentlemen (and it I think it's all guys in this case)- have we really fallen to the level of "My *D's bigger than yours!"? If so, well done! This type of edifying discourse is what RBC is for.

Keith

*Database

Comment by Pete Radloff on February 5, 2014 at 1:42pm: Some days I read the interwebs just for the wit and humor of Mr Keith Halperin. Thank you Keith. You brighten my days.

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on February 5, 2014 at 1:46pm: you guys are awesome. :) I love each and every comment - and to think I hesitated in posting this for a minute, worried that I was a little too snarky... what was I thinking?? I would have missed all of THIS. :)

Comment by Derdiver on February 5, 2014 at 1:47pm: @Keith Touche old man, touche! Yes, Pete Keith always makes me smile. I was channeling my inner Astringer today. :)

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on February 5, 2014 at 1:48pm: What's that old saying, it's not the size of the database, but how you use it? Ok I'm quitting while I'm ahead here... ;)