Really, Really Bad Recruiters!

O.K. I just had it happen to me. I had to share. If someone calls me, I usually will politely call them back. Who knows? Connections for the future at the very least. Right?

"Hi, Will. I am calling because I have come across your resume and really like your background. I think you would be a perfect fit! Please call me as soon as you get this. This is an urgent need!"

I think, O.K. I'll hear what she has to say. I'm happy, but I'll listen. She follows up with a professional e-mail also. She must really need some help!

I call her back.

"Where are you working today?" I say XYZ company. She says "Who is your Manager". Wait- why is she asking me who is my manager?

She's fishing for leads! Holy cow! Are you kidding me?! She knew I was working at a certain company and wanted an introduction. Hell no! Do people still do this? C'mon- there is an easier way to get this information.

"So you do what again". You called me! Don't you know what I do?! "Oh- I see.. I don't know why my database pulled up your name. I am looking for a help desk professional for $12 hour".

Are you kidding me! Then she says "Do you want me to continue interviewing you for future opportunities?" I said, do you recruit recruiters? "Well, not really. Mostly IT folks. I can have your information on file though."

NO! I don't want to be interviewed so you can get leads!

Then she sends me a follow up e-mail stating that if she could get references from my employer that would be great.

Again, are you kidding me!

This really happened. I had to share. This is the worst call I have ever received in my professional career.

You want to know why recruiters get a bad rap? THIS is why!!

Happy Friday.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Amy Ala Miller on July 12, 2013 at 7:34pm

I just spit coffee all over the place. Thank goodness I'm working from home right now. :)

honestly I don't know why recruiters behave this way. This was such an easy save... "oh crap, sorry Will, I should have looked more closely. You know how it is, trying to meet metrics, dialing for dollars. Let's be friends" and then who knows? You might have sent her referrals, business, etc.

But no. Stupid follow up email to a dumb cold call. Dumb and dumber indeed.

Sandra McCartt said:

I love to get this kind of idiot call. Mostly because I love to screw with idiots when I have time.

When asked for my managers name I would have said, "oh sure, that,s Jake, let me transfer you to him.". Quickly I put the idiot on hold, wait a minute pick up the phone and say, " hi there Judy sue, this is Jake from State Farm, would you like to know what I'm wearing?"

If that doesn't do it you might as well hang up because the nunu is a prime candidate for a Darwin award.

Jake hardly ever gets a follow up email or another call.

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Permalink Reply by Derdiver on July 12, 2013 at 8:07pm

ok ok. Before there is a call for a lynching of this person lets look at few things first. One, she is/was obviously new. Two, we should be yelling and crucifing the person behind the scenes. Sort of like politicians in this country. They/she is the face of the problem. The symptom if you will. Will, I know the morals you face for not naming the source of this and I am cool with that. However when I posted my story of behavior like this I called out Manpower. IMO who ever this is and the person behind it will not learn from us here.

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Permalink Reply by Will Thomson on July 12, 2013 at 10:43pm

I would be amazed if it did. You are right Amber! Simple, Direct, and Honest. You should TM that.

Will

Amber said:

Why don't people just keep it simple, direct, and honest? If I want to ask you for referrals, information, etc. that is what I ask you for when I call you. There are always employees, candidates, and friends that might be looking, OR there might be someone I know that is a potential referral. I suppose the subterfuge is so that the caller won't know your true agenda? Does this really work for anyone, I wonder?

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Permalink Reply by Kelly Blokdijk on July 12, 2013 at 10:45pm

Every time something like this happens I SO WISH there was a way to collect all of the assorted vents (aka blogs) that each of us has produced over the years and ever so gently sharing it with the "new" offender as a consolidated link. Perhaps Jake from State Farm could be listed as the author.

I don't really think this is an outcome of someone being "new" to recruiting as much as it being evidence that they are simply a flipping idiot. Seriously, do people not hear what they are saying as they are saying it and consider how ridiculous they sound? Ya really can't blame the recruiter bashing when this is what goes on ALL. THE. TIME.

People like this are earning a paycheck, while millions of people with actual common-sense and qualifications to contribute something productive to the world are struggling through extended bouts of unemployment. Makes me CRANKY!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Will Thomson on July 12, 2013 at 10:47pm

Good point Derek. She will learn from her boss after she gets canned. Yes, this person is new to the industry. We all cut our teeth and made mistakes, but this was awful. This is very similar to your story. If you are going to try to get leads, call an engineer, a finance professional, whatever- but for goodness sakes, a recruiter. Gimme a break! I know your tricks, and guess what! It didn't work!

Derdiver said:

ok ok. Before there is a call for a lynching of this person lets look at few things first. One, she is/was obviously new. Two, we should be yelling and crucifing the person behind the scenes. Sort of like politicians in this country. They/she is the face of the problem. The symptom if you will. Will, I know the morals you face for not naming the source of this and I am cool with that. However when I posted my story of behavior like this I called out Manpower. IMO who ever this is and the person behind it will not learn from us here.

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Permalink Reply by Will Thomson on July 12, 2013 at 10:48pm

I was really hoping you would respond Sandra. I love your responses. That was awesome! Will

Sandra McCartt said:

I love to get this kind of idiot call. Mostly because I love to screw with idiots when I have time.

When asked for my managers name I would have said, "oh sure, that,s Jake, let me transfer you to him.". Quickly I put the idiot on hold, wait a minute pick up the phone and say, " hi there Judy sue, this is Jake from State Farm, would you like to know what I'm wearing?"

If that doesn't do it you might as well hang up because the nunu is a prime candidate for a Darwin award.

Jake hardly ever gets a follow up email or another call.

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Permalink Reply by Will Thomson on July 12, 2013 at 10:52pm

They shouldn't be earning a paycheck. I bet we could write a book from all the blogs from stupid recruiters. "How not to be a STUPID recruiter". Thanks for responding Kelly.

Kelly Blokdijk said:

Every time something like this happens I SO WISH there was a way to collect all of the assorted vents (aka blogs) that each of us has produced over the years and ever so gently sharing it with the "new" offender as a consolidated link. Perhaps Jake from State Farm could be listed as the author.

I don't really think this is an outcome of someone being "new" to recruiting as much as it being evidence that they are simply a flipping idiot. Seriously, do people not hear what they are saying as they are saying it and consider how ridiculous they sound? Ya really can't blame the recruiter bashing when this is what goes on ALL. THE. TIME.

People like this are earning a paycheck, while millions of people with actual common-sense and qualifications to contribute something productive to the world are struggling through extended bouts of unemployment. Makes me CRANKY!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Amy Ala Miller on July 12, 2013 at 11:04pm

What bothers me isn't even the crappy cold call. It happens, she's probably new / in training, and is getting her numbers. I get it. But to send a follow up email asking for references?? That just goes beyond bad training and rookie mistakes. That's downright stupid.

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Permalink Reply by Will Thomson on July 12, 2013 at 11:15pm

That is what got me too Amy. I couldn't believe it!

Amy Ala said:

What bothers me isn't even the crappy cold call. It happens, she's probably new / in training, and is getting her numbers. I get it. But to send a follow up email asking for references?? That just goes beyond bad training and rookie mistakes. That's downright stupid.

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Permalink Reply by Will Thomson on July 13, 2013 at 10:48am

You know the longer I have been thinking about this I have gotten even more frustrated. Yes! This person is new. Someone had to TEACH these sales tactics. That disgusts me. This is what someone WANTS them to do. This is unacceptable behavior in the recruiting world.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Harding on July 13, 2013 at 12:10pm

Having come out of agency recruiting one year ago, I can tell you this is what they are teaching new people. Their view is the recruiters need to be responsible for lead generation! What better way to do that than turning references into leads and getting hiring manager information.

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Permalink Reply by Sandra McCartt on July 13, 2013 at 2:23pm

Here is another one that will send them to the showers and make their next call a bit scarey.

You get the phone message for Will, You call the number back.

Hi Judy Sue, you were calling for Will, may i ask what this is in regard to this is Jake Will's manager.

Oh Hi Jake you were the one i was trying to reach, I am Judy Sue with Over the top End on the Bottom recruiting.

Judy, let me stop you right there. Will was fired last week for talking to a recruiter, all of our calls are monitored and not only do we not use recruiters who solicit our people but we are terminated if we speak with a recruiter. Were you the one who called him? I am now required to speak with your manager and mine to report your call. May i speak with your manager please? Oh, he's out of the office ok , if you will give me his name and direct number i will pass on your name and your manager's name to my boss as i am required to do. I am sure he will be in touch with your manager pretty quickly.

You will either hear a "click" or some stuttering from a newby who has just wet her rompers. So tell her to have a good day and expect a call from Mr. Snidely in the legal department. When she runs to the idiot who is training her to make this kind of a call he will tell her that she didn't do anything illegal, if she is contacted to put the call through to him immediately. She may believe him but it will forever affect her dreams and she will never be totally sure.