What Makes Me an Average Recruiter

1. Saying the very same thing the last recruiter said to the same potential clients and expecting to be the one who gets the order.

2. Having the same candidate my competitor has that we both grab off Monster each morning and expecting to be the one who gets the send-out.

3. Agreeing to discount my fees because the potential client has "multiple openings and I should be happy they are letting me in".

4. Arriving at the office after 8, milling around for 1/2 hr slurping coffee and chit chatting with other average recruiters about how "this recession sucks" ....spending the rest of the day "social networking" and then shooting out the door at 5:01 pm.

5. Not expecting my client to do what they say they are going to do when the were going to do it.

Comment by Salvatore Petrara, CPC on January 8, 2009 at 2:08pm: no prob, hate those night calls yet always feel good after making them...
Go GIANTS!

Comment by Vikki Hawkins on January 8, 2009 at 2:09pm: Jerry - - - - thank you for climbing inside my head and pulling out my innermost grumbling and turning it in to words. Seriously the best laught out loud moment I've had all day.

Comment by Kristin on January 8, 2009 at 2:12pm: I had to chuckle when reading the list... I started in search and now own my own business. It is good to remember the "what not to do" even if you work on your own without "other average recruiters to chat with while slurping coffee in the morning."

Thanks

Kristin.

Comment by Barbara Goldman on January 8, 2009 at 2:15pm: I love #3 If you give us a discount, we have two openings for you to fill. whooopeeeee!!!!!!!

MY answer? I'll take one.

Two to fill? Three, Four? We need to start charging more for the second, third and fourth placements. Multiples are HARDER than one, you want qualified candidates who are currently working for your competition to take a lateral move and work for your company? You have already placed ads, done mailings, scoured the internet, and given up, and then I get the assignment! Plus, you won't use me exclusively anyway. If a fly falls off the ceiling tiles with a degree and a green card you'll hire it over paying a fee! Multiples are harder, not easier. I don't understand quantity discounts for search assignments. It doesn't make sense. Who started that nonsense? We've got to stop playing these games with our fees!!!!

Comment by Jerry Albright on January 8, 2009 at 2:20pm: Barbara - I enjoy your style!

Multiple hire discounts is one of the biggest farces in our world. You're absolutely right - multiple hires are HARDER! The first one is always pretty easy. The client needs 4 people so they aren't too picky on the first one or two in the door. Then they have to really pay attention to the skills they "didn't" hire in the first choice(s). Much harder.

My usual reply (if I can keep a straight face) is "I look forward to the time when our relationship warrants a volume discount". - seriously.

Thanks for joining in Barbara!

Comment by Salvatore Petrara, CPC on January 8, 2009 at 2:38pm: AGREED!
Multiple hires, I have to work for everyone, then I get the, "we are not looking for a recruiter, but for someone to partner with us and become a true vendor (at reduced fees)", My answer, "I am already married", just looking to make placements, no but seriously, Jerry is right it is a farce!
If I make (or anyone else) 20 placements at one client believe me when I say I(we) earned every penny!
and for every great hire it is kudos to the hiring mgr, for every sour hire it is the outside recruiters fault.
I had a client recently rip into me about a bad hire and said I "sold" him on this person with lies.
I asked him then why didn't you fire the person prior to 90 days? The person left his employ after 5 years. Why keep someone for 5 yrs if they are not performing their function adequately?

Comment by Roberto on January 8, 2009 at 5:23pm: Having a value proposition everytime you speak to your clients would also be a good point rather than just contacting them and having nothing to offer.