Comment by Ambrish Kochikar on April 21, 2011 at 12:01pm

That's a tough one to answer for everyone, but IMHO the 'better' recruiter has discovered the way to the top is to treat every candidate professionally, even those who behave unprofessionally with you (the recruiter).

Comment by Suresh on April 21, 2011 at 1:58pm

I was on the webinar about Zappos and how they handle recruiting. I was impressed that they respond to every applicant and essentially treat them as a potential customer. It takes a lot of resources. There are recruiters and companies on the other end of the spectrum.

Comment by Valentino Martinez on April 21, 2011 at 4:23pm

Ambrish--you're right about the fact that candidates can be ARROGANT as well.  Some will clearly give a recruiter the message that they would prefer to speak with the hiring manager. 

 

Dr. Raghavan--your observation regarding Zappos has value.  Treating every applicant with a modicum of respect goes a long way and more so when an interview is conducted.  Applicants are candidates and are also potential employees and/or customers.

Comment by Sandra McCartt on April 21, 2011 at 5:15pm

Interesting it must be something in the cosmos.  I am just completing an article entitled "Abuse of Power in HR and Recruiting"

 

It's my take that in most cases the reason for the arrogance of recruiters both external and internal and HR is that the power  is not the real power to hire but  the dark side of power to keep someone from getting the opportunity to be hired by the people who have the real power.  Which creates a particularly vile arrogance in my opinion.  The arrogance of the little man.

 

In many cases it is the arrogance of ignorance created by putting unqualilfied people in positions of semi power.

Comment by Suresh on April 21, 2011 at 6:10pm

There may been times when someone could be arrogant and get away with it. Now, with the internet and social media, the world is much smaller and its a 2 way street. Even some corporations are finding that out the hard way.

Comment by Valentino Martinez on April 21, 2011 at 7:19pm

Sandra—this particular subject is something in the cosmos, and it also resides in external recruiter’s scar tissue gained from past dark experiences.  So it’s not surprising to hear you’re broaching the same subject, but it is interesting that we’re moments apart in addressing it. 

Your specific subject touches on a dynamic that is the bane of the selection process anywhere and everywhere--the arrogance of the "little man" or woman who happen to be in a position to play the "gatekeeper" role to the extent that truly viable candidates go by the wayside thanks to their dismissive decision style. Maybe it's a fear of outside competition or they truly believe they have better candidates up for consideration--nevertheless they aren't doing the hiring manager any favors.

I have experienced this 'blocking technique" so often that it's actually painful.  Not to long ago, it happened again and I was so aggravated about it that I actually violated the "chain of command" us external recruiters are required to follow.  I went around a blocking internal hr recruiter and went straight to the hiring manager with a candidate he liked immediately--so much so that an offer was extended soon after his interview with my candidate.  Arrogance/Ignorance applies but so does personal bias demonstrated by a lightweight or munchkin with a recruiter title.

I look forward to your blog.

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