The Perfect Fit

Working With Headhunters, Part II

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from Jeff, a candidate I didn't know who was suggesting that all recruiters are frauds and/or liars, and should be avoided.  If you haven't seen that yet, you should read it first.

I've had a couple of friends email me after that post, saying how unusual (strange?) it was for Joel to write to me to get advice on where he can publicly post information on how inept and/or (worse) deceitful recruiters are.  It seemed strange to them.  It was strange for me too . . . Nonetheless, I felt compelled to reply.

I've since received a follow up email from Jeff . . .

"Thank you for taking the time to respond to my e-mail. As an update and for your information,  I offered the recruiting agencies that I referred to in my email  the link  to look at  the e-mail that I sent you. Not one of the recruiting  agencies had the  professional courtesy to  get back to me.

It appears to me Bob  that  you are the only recruiter I have had the opportunity to interact with that has any professional ethics or is concerned  as to how people view recruiters.

If you decide to publish this e-mail please let me so I can  refer other people to the link."

Best regards,  Jeff

There you go . . . another tiny tale from the world of social networking and marketing.  Dealing with "human assets" in headhunting is fascinating.  There's never a dull moment!   I'm looking forward to what might be next!

New Opportunity: Account Director, Finance & Insurance #9068

General Description:
Our  St. Louis client is looking for an Account Director who is a thought leader in the finance & insurance category.  We’re looking for seasoned professionals who have experience developing deep client relationships and leading those to innovative and consistently successful integrated marketing communications, including mass advertising.  We need an assertive, resilient and empathetic leader not only for the clients served, but for the internal teams and agency as well, inspiring them to do work beyond expectations.  This account leader should have experience with Fortune 500 national brands, and be able to prove their influence and success with those clients.  We want you to influence and inspire creative  solutions that are on strategy, innovative and provocative.

Primary Responsibilities:
•    Be a persuasive and collaborative advocate for both the client and the agency ideas and plan.
•    Work closely with your clients to develop deep relationships, leading to a trust that results in client satisfaction by solving their marketing issues and expanding their business.
•    Be accountable for the fiscal health of the client and profitability of the agency, supervising expenditures, PBT, workflow, quality of work and overall client satisfaction.
•    Identify and develop new business opportunities within existing clients and participate in new business pitches.
•    Travel as necessary for client relationship development, retention and productions (up to 25%)

Experience:
We’re looking for at least 15 years total experience and at least seven of those years in the finance and/or insurance sector and including team management and integrated campaigns.  New media and direct expertise is needed.  We need a strategic, passionate, ambitious, articulate, entrepreneurial and charismatic leader who will drive results and empower subordinates.

New Retained Search: Sales & Marketing Account Manager, Research #9066

General Description:
This new St. Louis position is responsible for driving business development & client relations for out of town national clients who are serviced by our Client.  This individual will identify potential clients for full service market research services, including research design, strategy, moderation and contact. This individual will also identify potential clients in need of data collection services utilizing qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.  Once identified, this Account Manager will contact those prospective clients to create awareness of and interest in utilizing our client’s services.  The Account Manager would also assist and play a key role in the ongoing, multi-channel marketing efforts for our client.

Primary Responsibilities:
•    Identify, qualify and make initial contact with prospective national clients utilizing multi-market, “full service” focus group/research facilities.  Develop the relationship with the prospective client and help them move to our client (your employer) for their research.
•    Develop and maintain long term client relationships resulting in their loyalty, ongoing satisfaction and sales.
•    Support internal practices for delivering superb research execution including, estimates and proposal preparation, project management and client support.
•    Travel as necessary in support of client acquisition and retention.

Experience:
We’re looking for an ambitious and entrepreneurial sales and marketing pro who has direct experience with research, focus groups and/or moderators, from either the research, agency or client side.  We’re looking for candidates with five to seven years of total experience, with several of those years including direct involvement with research.  We want someone who personable and has proven the ability to multi-task while being extremely detail oriented.  You must be able to demonstrate the ability to be outgoing, yet assertive with all of the personalities involved in the execution of a campaign, while maintaining a sense of humor.

Working With Headhunters . . .

I received the following email yesterday from a candidate I don't know.  I was surprised at his previous experiences with recruiters. 

I realize how anxiety provoking it is to be out of a job, and I understand how people in that position need and want help.  I also realize that people without jobs frequently turn to recruiters they may know or have heard of, for assistance and support.  They want that recruiter to "help them find a job". 

Here's the email I received:

“My name is Jeff and I live in Schaumburg, Illinois. I saw your information on RecruitingBlog.com.  I have been out of work for the past six months and working towards finding full time employment.  Over the years I have not been impressed with  or feel very  good about recruiters  and what they do. However, recently I offered another opportunity to three different recruiters  that I would work with  them follow their instructions, guidance,  speak with them whenever they contacted me and really believe that my opinion of them would change.

I can tell you now   that I have wasted my time and my original impression of recruiters is the same. They can not be trusted to work for a job seeker and a  potential employer  equally.  If you would like in another e-mail  I would be very pleased to name the three recruiting forms that I am speaking  about and offer you specific instances of my frustration  and disappointment with recruiters.

If  you can guide me in the right direction or forum that I can publicly state the recruiting firms,  specific instances of their lies and deceit without being sued I  WANT TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH RECRUITERS so other job seekers that are   looking for employment do not waste one more moment of their time like I did with these recruiters.

I look forward to hearing back from you. Bob please do not be like the other recruiters  that I have spoken with and just dismiss my opinion and no follow through on your part. Granted, not all recruiters are painted with the same brush however, when multi bad experiences  are the outcome of dealing with recruiters a large generalization  of all recruiters  is the end result.”

I (obviously) felt like I needed to try to respond to this candidate.  If I didn’t respond, I’m sure that I’d simply be additionally re-enforcing his perspective of how incompetent and untrustworthy recruiters are.  As I was writing my response, it occurred to me that his disappointment and my response might provide some sort of perspective for others who are considering working with recruiters.  As I’ve mentioned previously in this blog, “Retained Recruiters Add Value To Relationships”.

"Thanks very much for your note.  I’m sorry to hear that you have not been satisfied with your experience with the recruiters you mention.

I hope you’ve had a chance to visit our website (below), to find out a bit more about my company and me.  There is additional information available at my LinkedIn profile.  I encourage you to invite me into your LinkedIn network.  I also invite you to follow my blog “The Perfect Fit” at www.TheMarketingHeadhunter.com.  I hope you'll add it to your feeds.

I am not in the business to “bash” any of my colleagues in the field, although it is clear that some do the job better than others.  I do not know any of the recruiters you mentioned personally.  I do know that some recruiters have different approaches than others.  There is no one “right” way to do our job.  I also know that there are always two sides to every story, so I’m not willing to make a judgment on what other recruiters did or didn’t do, or why they acted the way they did.