You've done more for me than any other Recruiter.....

“It’s ok these things happen, I’ll just continue my job search. You’ve done more for me than any other recruiter and I’m grateful for that” was the reply I got from Paul Smith (name changed due to privacy) when I conveyed the unfortunate news of his rejection by my client

More for me than any other recruiter ?? So what did I do that was supposedly different from other recruiters he met? cause realistically I had not yet placed him.

From the initial call, to our meeting and subsequent calls here’s what I offered and did for Paul :

Made him understand I was a 'bridge' to the client not a 'wall'
Spent quality time and paid attention to his experience & achievements
Had a great chat (not one of those formal interviews) with lots of humour and laughter
Advised how he could spruce up his resume
Gave him a few tips on dealing with other recruiters so that he gets his call gets through
Described the client culture and my experience with them over the years
Provided him valuable interview tips which included the client’s interviewer style
Shared the job description - obviously!
Provided advice related to his achievements and responsibilities and how he could maximize it to his benefit at the interview.
Took his calls

I reverse marketed him and managed to get him 2 interviews, however Paul never did get his job through me. Eventually he found himself employment through a direct application.

However, here’s the thing (a line lifted from the TV program ‘Becker’) he referred 2 other candidates to me, one of whom I placed for a $7,800/- fee. Nice.

Now it’s my turn to say to Paul, “Hey you’ve done more for me …………….”

Comment by Brad Zirulnik on February 2, 2011 at 1:29pm: Most recruiters should have your problems, Alban. ;-)

Good for you to add a little bit of humanity in these elusive job search times.

Comment by Alban on February 3, 2011 at 12:54am: @ Brad & Morgan - thanks guys.
I think at times we are so caught up with KPI's, filling jobs, marketing, targets etc that we forget this is a people oriented job. My outlook has always been "Today's candidates are tomorrow's clients and vice versa"

Comment by Gay Carter on February 3, 2011 at 1:40pm: So agree with your approach. I'm a firm believer that what we do with a candidate or hiring client, whether it results in a hire or not, will come back full fold. I share as much with candidates as possible, and sometimes even with those I know I can't work with at all as you never know who they will refer to you or pass your name on to.