Why Recruiters are Seedy

Last week I got asked the following question: "Why is it a good number of your peers are seedy? I'd place most recruitment agent's morals pretty close to used car salesmen." I haven't worked out if the question was really a  hint. But I thought I would give my answer here so anyone else could let me know there thoughts too.

1. There are a lot of recruiters out there - some of them are trouble. There are always some bad apples in any bunch.
   
2. There are also a lot of recruiters who are not particularly experienced and often upset candidates and clients without even knowing it. I have done that, but in my own and their defence, you don't get experience without having experiences.
   
3. There are even more candidates out there who get turned down for positions than there are recruiters. And there is no doubt that rejection is hard to take. No matter how experienced and how thick skinned we may be. Those candidates spread bad stories around about recruiters in online forums and to their friends.
   
4. There are a lot of candidates who can't understand what recruiters do and get upset when they don' t seem to act in the way they think they should. For example, they won't tell them who their clients are before they know them, or they can't seem to get feedback on issues that are important to them. I could write a whole other post on this.

So, there are four reasons. But really, I have one more which I truly believe. Most of my peers aren't seedy. In fact I have met some of the most intelligent and caring people since I joined the recruitment industry. People who make a difference and who make an effort to go out of their way to help others. So that is my real answer. I feel sorry for my friend who has had a bad experience with whoever he met, but he was wrong to think that the entire industry is full of the same kind of people.

Get the latest on diversity issues in the workplace at Diversity Jobs.

Comments

[Stephen Fowler]

Today I just want to make reference to Steven of the Asian Pacific Headhunter, I completely agree with him in all aspects as it is an excellent post.

What I would like to add is that I have been in the industry for 20 years and my motivation has always been to help my clients and candidates, money always came second. As a result and I am sure Steven will agree with me here, that many clients and candidates become friends. This then leads onto exclusivity which makes the job so much easier.

This exclusivity should then be treated with a huge amount of responsibility, which many new recruitment consultants miss. It isn't about just another placement but more about having changed the candidate’s life, his family and in the process helped them get closer to their dreams and aspirations.

There is no better feeling than helping a candidate secure their next career move, a product can never turn round and say thank you.

Great Post Stephen
Stephen Fowler
www.recruitment-views.com

[cedric j. mitchell]

Hello,
I hope these few lines find you well. I have a few questions, but 1st, I would like to say that I have been working as a headhunter for 10years. Now I have decided to step out on my own and start my own company.
However, I am still very unsure on the licensing procedures and documents necessary to achieve my goal. Would it be possible for you to educate me on how to obtain the license?
Respectfully,
Cedric J. Mitchell.