Yup.  I said it.

Every time I hear about a candidate that went on an interview with a recruiter for a job that never existed.  I dislike recruiters.

When my clients and colleagues are afraid to attend HR-related networking events because they get bombarded with agencies trying to “earn business”.  I dislike recruiters.

Every time I hear that a job seeker was told they were presented for a job opportunity and then never called back.  I dislike recruiters.

When I hear a candidate had a face-to-face interview and never heard back.  I REALLY dislike recruiters.

This is the situation.  Anyone working in talent acquisition or recruiting has been overwhelmed with applicants over the last two years.  And I am very guilty of not replying to every phone call or email I get from a job seeker.  It’s impossible.  There have been days when I’ve gotten over 50 resumes in my email inbox.  That’s on top of all the other emails and phone calls…paperwork, interviews, client meetings, phone screens, reference checks…etc.  So yes, I understand how busy we all are.

This is the other situation.  As professionals in this industry, we have a responsibility.  And it’s a freakin’ no-brainer.  The most important responsibility of a recruiter, corporate or agency, is to treat people like they are people.  How hard is that?  Why does this seem to be so foreign?

For every complaint and for every excuse I’ve heard from recruiters, I have some very simple solutions.

If you reply to a resume by phone or email, you’ve made contact.  If you think there is a possibility that you can’t follow up after that contact, let the candidate know right away.  Be honest.  If you made an honest mistake and simply forgot, contact them as soon as you remembered that you forgot!!  Apologize.  Own up.

If you interview a candidate over the phone or in person, feedback is mandatory.  If you know they are not a good fit during the interview, let them know right there.  Don’t ignore them.  And don’t forget about them!!  Technology is a beautiful thing.  It gives us calendars that send out little alarms and reminders.

Job seekers and candidates are not cattle.  I have zero respect for agencies and firms who employ recruiters that treat them this way.  And there are hundreds of excuses but I’ve never heard one that can be justified.

We all make mistakes.  Most of them in the recruiting world can be forgiven with a simple “I’m sorry.”

If you’re reading this and you’re a recruiter who finds this offensive, then you have a lot of work to do.  Part of your job is to DO YOUR JOB.  If you can’t find time in an 8 hour day, then work a 10 hour day.  Send out some emails on the weekend.  Yes, work overtime.  It’s part of your job and if you’re not doing it, then in my opinion, you suck at your job and shouldn’t be in this industry.

Being a recruiter should not be all about the volume and the money.  The real job is connecting people.  Connecting employers to employees.  Making solid relationships and benefiting someone’s career and company.

With this said, I’m aware this seems like an attack.  And in some ways, it is.  But I’d like to think of it as less of an attack and more of a challenge.  I challenge anyone to disagree with me.  I challenge you to prove me wrong and tell me why you think I’m crazy.  I challenge you to tell me why it’s impossible to treat people like people.
Go for it.

While this post is geared towards other professionals in my industry, I’d like for job seekers and candidates to jump in and share their experiences as well.  I’d also like to say, not all recruiters are bad.  I’m fortunate enough to know many good quality professionals working in talent acquisition and I can recommend many AWESOME people.  If you’d like my advice on using recruiters while on a job search, check out one of my previous posts here.

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