For Staffing Agency Owners

For the owners out there I have a question. What title do you give yourself as a agency owner for your business cards and title?

Does your title say owner/operator or do you give yourself a title that doesn't reveal yourself as the owner?

How has that worked for you?

I guess that is 2 questions :P

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jerry Albright on January 8, 2013 at 10:05am

If you establish a corporation you will find yourself actually having a title - usually President.

I never introduce myself that way though. It's somewhat pompous IMHO.

I'm a recruiter. If you're a sole proprietor and not actually running a staffing "agency" per se, then the title of Recruiter would sound the best to me. It says what you do. That's what a good title should do. :)

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Permalink Reply by Sandra McCartt on January 8, 2013 at 11:18am

Agree with Jerry. My firm is an 1120c corp. so when I sign a document like a tax return, a business letter or proposal, the company name is first, then signature space ,then my name as president. Business cards or signature on email is the company name and just my name, no title of any kind .
If I use anything it is just "recruiter". In some instances if several of us are working with a client I might sign casual correspondence, "sr. Recruiter"if I am taking the lead on a search.

My opinion, worrying about titles can get you branded as a goof ball pretty fast. I have seen recruiters who work from their kitchen table calling themselves "CEO" which I think makes them look like an idiot.

If anyone asks me what my position with the firm is, I tell them that I own it and it owns me. I am a recruiter, that's what I do.

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Permalink Reply by George Pitts on January 9, 2013 at 7:26am

Jerry: Awesome feedback! I figured that would seem pompous in a way especially if you dont have a staff and it is just you. I did form my business as an LLC though here in OK. So I am going to take that advice and steer clear of the Chief & President titles at least until it grows into something much bigger then we can revisit the titles later

Jerry Albright said:

If you establish a corporation you will find yourself actually having a title - usually President.

I never introduce myself that way though. It's somewhat pompous IMHO.

I'm a recruiter. If you're a sole proprietor and not actually running a staffing "agency" per se, then the title of Recruiter would sound the best to me. It says what you do. That's what a good title should do. :)

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Permalink Reply by George Pitts on January 9, 2013 at 7:33am

Thank you Sandra for your feedback as well. I think recruiter or Sr Recruiter fits perfectly. I am in no way in a position to claim a title bigger than that cause its just me right now.

Sandra McCartt said:

Agree with Jerry. My firm is an 1120c corp. so when I sign a document like a tax return, a business letter or proposal, the company name is first, then signature space ,then my name as president. Business cards or signature on email is the company name and just my name, no title of any kind .
If I use anything it is just "recruiter". In some instances if several of us are working with a client I might sign casual correspondence, "sr. Recruiter"if I am taking the lead on a search.

My opinion, worrying about titles can get you branded as a goof ball pretty fast. I have seen recruiters who work from their kitchen table calling themselves "CEO" which I think makes them look like an idiot.

If anyone asks me what my position with the firm is, I tell them that I own it and it owns me. I am a recruiter, that's what I do.

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Permalink Reply by Raphael Fang on January 9, 2013 at 1:38pm

When I was self employed, my title on the business card was always recruiter because recruiting is the service that I offer them.

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Permalink Reply by Noel Cocca on January 9, 2013 at 4:26pm

Grand Poobah. Lord Darth Recruiter. Chief Cold Caller. Dr. Dialer. Big Dog. Or as my wife calls me.... Knucklehead.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Gomez on January 9, 2013 at 5:53pm

We have an LLC and my title is Managing Director. No one ever makes a comment about it. It's pretty well known in the client & candidate community that I still recruit and sell and aren't just managing the business.

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Permalink Reply by George Pitts on January 9, 2013 at 8:18pm

I like Lord Darth Recruiter. LOL

Noel Cocca said:

Grand Poobah. Lord Darth Recruiter. Chief Cold Caller. Dr. Dialer. Big Dog. Or as my wife calls me.... Knucklehead.

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Permalink Reply by George Pitts on January 9, 2013 at 8:19pm

This has got me laughing so hard John. After a stressful day today I really needed that one...

John Kreiss said:

I referred to myself as the President when I was a solo work at home recruiters. After I had employees, I informally had the title, CAIC aka Chief Asshole in Charge. The people who worked for me seemed to like that title better than President for some reason.

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Permalink Reply by George Pitts on January 9, 2013 at 8:20pm

Steve how long have you been an LLC. Thats what we decided to go with and I hear its really easy to run and report end of year things to the IRS since it carries over to your personal 1040 I believe. Do you have your recruiters as 1099 or employees?

Steve Gomez said:

We have an LLC and my title is Managing Director. No one ever makes a comment about it. It's pretty well known in the client & candidate community that I still recruit and sell and aren't just managing the business.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Gomez on January 9, 2013 at 8:32pm

We have been an LLC for 3 years. Our recruiters are 1099. LLCs make tax time a little simpler since your profit just passes through to your 1040 as you mentioned.

George Pitts said:

Steve how long have you been an LLC. Thats what we decided to go with and I hear its really easy to run and report end of year things to the IRS since it carries over to your personal 1040 I believe. Do you have your recruiters as 1099 or employees?

Steve Gomez said:

We have an LLC and my title is Managing Director. No one ever makes a comment about it. It's pretty well known in the client & candidate community that I still recruit and sell and aren't just managing the business.