As an agency recruiter, I make sure I personally talk to every new talented candidate I connect with before submitting them to my client. It's standard procedure, as I can learn much more about their communication skills and how they may fit in with the culture of my client in their voice than over an email.

It's rare that one of these conversations sends shivers down my spine, but when I brought up the issue of the standard background investigation that my client requires for their contractors with somebody this morning, the results gave me goosebumps.

Me: "Is there anything that may come up on a background check that may prohibit you obtaining employment at XYZ Company?"

Candidate: "Yep. August 2010. Stalking."

Me: "Excuse me, did you say, 'Stalking?'"

Candidate: "Yes, stalking."

Me: (Noticing that his last end-date of employment with my canidate was August 2010) "Ok, did you leave XYZ Company on good terms back in August 2010?"

Candidate: "Nope."

Me: "Did that have to do with the 2010 charges?"

Candidate: "Yep."

Me: "Okay, well this position may not be the best fit for you then, but I'll keep your resume on hand for other opportunities."

Candidate: "Well, the truth can come back to haunt you sometimes." *Click*

Not the way I was hoping he'd end that conversation. And while my heebie-jeebies didn't turn into any fear that I'll be this guy's next stalking victim, it did remind me that the cold-calling aspect of my job requires a boldness that I rarely give much thought to. This job is about people; there is a person on the other line, and besides C# programming, structural design, or financial analysis, I don't know what they're capable of or what they've done. And they may love what I can do for them, or hate what I can't do for them.

Again, I don't think any recruiter has anything to be afraid of. I've talked to guys who turn out to be arsonists when the background check is completed. I've gotten creepy, maniacal laughs when an angry candidate isn't getting what they want from me. And I've been on the line with candidates who tear up in thankfulness because I've simply done my job by getting them one.

My point is that, as recruiters, we ideally have a very special skill in being able to handle the emotions and quirks of people. The good, the awkward, the bad, and even the borderline wicked. Sometimes it can be unsettling, sometimes it makes us turn red in frustration, and sometimes it can lead to a good laughing session to highlight our day. But at the end of the day, it's what makes this job a whole lot of fun.