Where Politicians (And Recruiters) Get It Wrong

Who likes politicians? Answer - nobody. Ok, maybe you have a favorite, and there are certainly some who really like specific candidates. It’s safe to say as a group, politicians are generally despised and, at best, tolerated – with a few good ones sprinkled in. (Depending on your view, of course)

The disdain we feel for these public servants comes to the forefront in an election year. You can’t turn on the TV without seeing someone bashing someone else. Politicians run on a never ending platform of “I’m better than that guy”. It seems that most political ads focus more on what that candidate’s competitor has done / not done, as opposed to why we should vote for the candidate running it! My two oldest children will be old enough to vote in this year’s presidential election, and watching it through their brand new voter’s eyes is even more depressing.

Here’s a sad truth – some recruiters don’t market all that differently. Go ahead; look at some agencies’ websites. It’s all “our core principles distinguish us from our competition” (how?) or “we have distinguished ourselves as a personable and professional firm” (compared to what exactly?). Here’s one of my favorites – “we are not just another ‘temp agency’ ” (what's wrong with temp agencies?). How many times have you heard “I’m not just another politician” from a candidate? The underlying message is that being a politician (or temp agency, in this case) is somehow bad - therefore I'm not like the other ones.

Clearly there is no magic marketing bullet. Or if there is, no one has shared it with me. What I do know is that I’m sick to death of all the negativity in our political process AND in our profession. I work with a handful of agencies because I genuinely like the people that run them in addition to the great service & candidates they provide. They’re not that different from their competition.

You want my vote? Talk about things that matter to me. Tell me how you’re going to solve my problem. If you start talking too much about the other guy, all that’s going to do is cause me to take a second look at him. Maybe he’ll have something of substance to say instead of just tearing someone else down.

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on March 14, 2012 at 6:42pm: @Bill lol... shows what you know. Rainbows and unicorns? What I REALLY want is coffee, wine, and chocolate (not necessarily in that order).

If an agency offered me a gift certificate for a pedicure for every temp hire they'd probably get a lot farther with me... just saying :)

Comment by Sandra McCartt on March 14, 2012 at 6:59pm: Amy , you cheap slut. :)

Comment by Sandra McCartt on March 14, 2012 at 7:04pm: @Marty, if the last three years have been safe and comfy i don't want to see scarey and dangerous if it shows up.

Go fill up your car and tell me how safe you feel. Hurry but don't worry core values being what they are the price of fuel will drop dramatically about mid Sept. We do still vote on Nov. 4 don't we?

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on March 14, 2012 at 7:05pm: LOL @Sandra I couldn't respond until I mopped up the water I just spit everywhere. You crack me up :)

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on March 14, 2012 at 7:08pm: And your comment to Marty is right on!

Comment by Bill Schultz on March 14, 2012 at 7:19pm: Save the political rhetoric. I love all of you. Don't go changin my mind.

Comment by Martin H.Snyder on March 14, 2012 at 8:18pm: Yea I think the election is still on. My guess for Nov 4 is 7% unemployment, 2.50 gas, and 5% real inflation, to go along with a landslide. Hangover wont be pretty.

Comment by Sandra McCartt on March 15, 2012 at 1:22am: Not to worry Willard, I am not a politico wonk. I don't much care who the pres is, in my book Ike and mike they look alike and you can't tell the spectators from the players without a program. But I do hope Marty is right about unemployment, gas prices and inflation whoever is leading the parade.

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