Comments on: 5 Things Not to Believe About Recruiters

By: Gail Fletcher

Gail Fletcher — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 21:03:07 +0000

Points well taken, and more to consider:
While it’s good to have one or two RCs amongst your contacts, they account for placement percentages in the low single digits of the strategies yielding higher success rates. That doesn’t mean don’t use them; rather, devote significantly less time in your search to cultivating them.
RCs are prone to recycling proven winners before new applicants, and have a limited number of engagements per year. If you don’t fit the criteria for the job order in hand it’s your tough luck – or the saga of attempting to fit a square peg into a round hole, as related in this post.
Assessment, targeting, direct contact: you are your own best salesperson!

By: Guy

Guy — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:43:24 +0000

I completely agree with what you say – except one thing: remember the candidates are not the RC’s clients, the company doing the hiring is.

By: shelley

shelley — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 12:14:19 +0000

Brendan,
Could i have the link to your website please? I am keen to explore what options could be available for me.

By: Lola

Lola — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 22:22:21 +0000

i discovered that recruitment agencies as industry are pretty much dead if you want a fun and interesting job. they just recycle people in boring, sorry, established industries. if you want a true escape, linkedin and twitter are your tools. will take more time and won’t be easy but a lot more fun. also there are more creative ways like recent stories of people using Google Ads, youtube, Facebook Ads to land the job of their dream. so goodbye RC for me!

By: Hayley

Hayley — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 13:01:40 +0000

I hear you loud and clear Brendan! Being closer to 40 than 30 I found it exasperating being told what to say in interviews etc, and what would and wouldn’t be possible (huuuuuge no to working from home apparently). I found it extremely satisfying therefore to get offered a job where I was extremely honest during the interviews, and given that I don’t live in London and wanted to work from home two days a week, where they would happily accommodate me. For personal reasons (poorly husband) I’ve not been able to take that job, but am fortunate enough to have been offered a similar one closer to home, again with the option of home working a few days a week, and in a collegiate environment where things are done well but differently. I learned to take what the consultant’s said with a pinch of salt, and to be honest would play them at their own game if I had to look for work in the future and not bother telling them what I wanted – leave that for the interviews once they’ve fallen in love with you!

By: Brendan

Brendan — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 11:59:12 +0000

Pete,

I did wonder when writing this if I would be a lone wolf in a world which the large recruitment firms run the show by mob rule. It’s so refreshing to hear that others, like yourself, can relate to my experiences.

If I can ask you to get in touch via my email: bmellis@mac.com I will respond personally and we should catch up / connect. I’m sorry the website, just needs some final tweaks but I can assure you, just because the website isn’t up and running doesn’t mean I won’t help you escape.

Have faith, and I will help you move…

By: Pete

Pete — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 11:53:05 +0000

Completely ties with my own experience. Many have very limited experience of work and life so they just think in straight lines of progression because they think that’s what their career will be like. They’re on commission and have targets so it becomes a numbers game. They don’t really understand the roles so they rely on qualifications and job titles to select candidates on the basis so they send ‘safe’ candidates to the client. All experience has to be in that industry yesterday because it’s impossible for anyone to be able to do a job they did a few years ago and God help you if you haven’t worked for a bit, your brain must have turned to mush.
Brendan – good luck. Fully support you in this – how do we find you?

By: Brendan

Brendan — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 11:39:01 +0000

JN,

I completely agree – the absolute reluctance to not move with the times is staggering. In a world of client facing businesses, the fact the recruitment business doesn’t listen or want to know the needs of a client dumbfounds me.

From a financial services perspective, if we did this (I say we, as in my previous role), we would have had the FSA come down on us like a tonne of bricks. So why should recruiters be any different?

This has lead me to breaking the mould and starting the change. I was so fed-up and frustrated thinking I can do this better, so I am.

I’ve founded ‘Think Smaller’ which is a recruitment firm for smaller business who listen to the individuals and helps them get what they want (not shoe-horning someone in for a fee). Call me philthanthropic, but I believe in helping people, and ultimately, I am good at listening and believe in the cause.

This will hopefully set me aside from the rest….

By: JN

JN — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 11:23:57 +0000

Great article. I was thinking of writing something similar about recruitment consultants in the legal sector. As more and more companies start recruiting through the likes of LinkedIn and/or recruiting directly through their own websites, consultants have to realise that they will only survive by cultivating proper relationships with their clients (by which I mean candidates just as much as companies). The smart few realise this. The rest just dont seem to get it. The standard response is to look at their website – they cant be bothered to contact clients on their books about opportunities they are trying to fill. Really? If thats the case what value are they adding? Surely they are meant be actively finding candidates to ensure that the client gets the best shortlist possible.

The market is fragmenting and if the big names dont change their act they will no longer be the big names.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 10:15:39 +0000

Shelley,

Thank you for your kind words – I can sympathise with your frustrations, as the person and experiences are often neglected in place of words on a CV.

It has taken a while, and sadly the above is not an uncommon experience, but I believe it can change. The reason for this is me. I have decided to tackle the problem head on….by starting a recruitment business dealing with what individuals are looking for and finding the right fit within a smaller entrepreneurial environment.

I was so frustrated and thought if I treat others as I would like to be treated, then I can do good things. That is how ‘Think Smaller’ was born.

Call me a philanthropist, call me idealistic, but I would like to help people. Therefore, if I can help one person find a job which they like and enjoy (even if changing direction), then I will have achieved success.

Shelley, it would be great to connect and share some experiences, and if I can help you be happy, then mission accomplished. It’s not a shameless plug, it’s about making a change, going against the tide and above all remembering:

“If there is no path, create your own….!”

By: VJ

VJ — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 10:11:14 +0000

I have had many similar experiences with the RCs I’ve signed up to (now numbering 11 in a 3 month period!) and I have to say – despite each one claiming to be “different” – they are all much of a muchness. If you don’t tick the conventional boxes, look and sound like the majority, then they are just not interested. Clearly this is an industry ripe for REAL change, someone needs to turn it on its head.
My advice is to hedge your bets when it comes to the job hunting, contact companies – preferably individuals at those companies – directly. Remove the reliance on the RCs. I have had a much better ‘hit rate’ writing directly to CEOs than to RCs!

By: Brendan

Brendan — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 10:06:16 +0000

James,

Thank you for your comments, I hoped that this would resonate with someone else and not make me feel like a bitter person against the world.

The escape has been a long time in coming, with many conversations held with those close to me. I’ve decided to tackle the recruitment problem head on…starting a recruitment boutique focusing on small businesses with the absolutely intregal key being finding the right person for the right fit. More than anything I believe in people, and making things happen. Therefore, I am passionate about helping people make a move, so if I can help one person move to an environment in which they are happy, I will have done my job.

Whilst it may look like a flash in the pan, leave the job and look for something different, the need to have a plan is key. Yes, I don’t have a job to go to, but I have been networking and understanding the options available (even if part-time work to fund the escape).

So if you are looking for something different, and want to be involved with a smaller, more entrepreneurial environment, I think we should connect.

Otherwise, all I can say is have faith, back yourself and don’t let anyone say you can’t do it…

By: Shelley

Shelley — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 09:22:49 +0000

Thanks Brendan for shedding light on what really needs to be heard about conventional recruiters. Since returning home from my year-long escape attempt in Bali, i have had difficulty securing jobs due to my gap year. You can’t imagine how it is so easily reduced to a “long holiday” with the significance of my travel experiences left unheard. But I learnt to never let RCs make you feel small. And if they do, find another one.
Respect your choices and respect your career moves, and there will be people who respect your uniqueness. Thanks Brendan for your encouragement! Your post speaks volumes.

By: James Rai

James Rai — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 08:36:21 +0000

Brendan,

Good assessment – I’ve had similar experiences with RC’s.

What has been your escape?