Category Archives: Recruiters

50 job hunting tips from recruiters

Posted on September 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

Need a job? Recruiters see every possible mistake, and some unusually successful ploys.

Here are 50 job hunting tips from good recruiters.

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Posted in Accomplishments, Attitude, Counteroffers, Finding jobs, Focus, Interviews, Job Boards, Networking, Perseverance, Quitting or Fired, Recruiters, References, Resumes, talent, Time management, Training

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What to ask a recruiter who is going to help you

Posted on August 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

“I’ll help you get a job. Trust me.  Give me two weeks.”

When a recruiter says something like that, ask him,

  • What exactly will you do?
  • Which companies will you be submitting me to?
  • When will you report to me on what you have done?
  • Which companies am I likely to get an interview with?

If the recruiter gives you a list of companies you will be submitted to, that’s perfect.  Also acceptable is a specific industry group he will be calling.  Not just “local companies.”  The recruiter also needs to give you dates you will get progress reports.  If a recruiter really is going to “make a hundred calls”, then he should be happy to tell you when the calls are done.

Don’t let your job search be like one of the old movies where the car driver, you, pulls the steering wheel off and hands it to a passenger.  You need to be the person driving in your job search.  No one else has your interest in your career.

You are building your career.  The recruiter is looking for his next sale or placement.  It is the difference between the commitment a cow and a chicken make when they volunteer to be part of a steak and eggs breakfast.  For the cow it is a life and death decision, but for the chicken it is just a day’s work. For you it is a multi-year commitment, but for the recruiter it is a few day’s commitment.  Who do YOU think should be in charge?

It’s your career.  Make sure you are driving the job search. Only trust recruiters who tell you who they are calling, and report back when they are done.

Something To Do Today

It is Friday.  Time to update your job journal with your accomplishments this week. Give a report to your boss in a format he can use.

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Next week:    The Zen of getting a job

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Posted in Finding jobs, Recruiters

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Only allow reality on your desk when you hunt for a job

Posted on May 22, 2012 | Leave a comment

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.  (Philip Dick)

Each week someone says, “Bryan, I have applied for hundreds of jobs and no one even acknowledges my application!”  That may mean it is time for a reality check.  If they have 10 very good candidates, is it a waste of time for those companies to talk to you? Are you betting that no one else sees the same online ad that you do?  Sometimes a reality check will tell you good things, sometimes bad things.

I only allow reality on my desk as a recruiter.  I don’t “hope” that a client will overlook my candidate’s surly disposition.  I don’t submit him.  If I have a programmer whose references say he can’t get projects done on time, I withdraw his candidacy even when the company has made a job offer.  A salesman who has 3 jobs in 3 years and no positive results won’t get a job through our agency.  Reality rules my desk. I can’t work any other way and feed my family.

Bow to reality in your job hunting.  Sure, apply for jobs you are only barely qualified for, but don’t be upset when your resume isn’t even acknowledged.  If a company is laying off people, still apply for a job, but don’t wait with quivering excitement for a call.

Too many people think that The Power Of Positive Thinking says that self delusion works.  It doesn’t.  In that book by Norman Vincent Peale, he spends a lot of time dealing with reality.  So should you.

If you really do deserve a 50% raise, hope for it, but acknowledge that raises that big are rare.   Most people can expect a 5% to 20% raise.  Most people get a job at the same level they are at and work their way up in their next job.  Some do find a new job at a higher management level.  They are exceptionally well qualified.

Become exceptional at your current job and reality is that you can get a big raise and a promotion into your next company. If you are very good, expect a raise and a chance to earn a promotion.  If you are average, or less, no one is going to be in a hurry to hire you.

That is reality.

Something To Do Today

Keep a list of every job you apply for.  Also list how well qualified you are for the job.  Take a reality check.  Are you over qualified, well qualified, barely qualified, or under qualified?  Keeping honest track of that answer will help you if your job hunt takes longer than you expect.

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Tomorrow:     Double your value, make more money

Later:              Surveys

Please discriminate against me

How to get a friend a job

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Posted in Attitude, Finding jobs, Perseverance, Recruiters, Resumes

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8 critical hints on using recruiters to find you a job

Posted on May 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

Scarier than the undertaker, we are meeting our matchmaker. (“Mulan”)

Recruiters are slightly neurotic, money driven, and a little paranoid. To get a recruiter to do the most possible for you, work with them within their limitations.

  1. Never pledge your undying love unless they are willing to give you weekly progress reports.  A recruiter should be willing to tell you all the places your credentials are presented if he asks you to stop looking for a job yourself.
  2. Only use recruiters you trust.  If you feel good talking to a recruiter, you can probably trust them.  If you get an uneasy feeling, if you think they are hiding something from you, run away.  More than half of recruiters are honest.  Find one who has ethics.
  3. Only tell a recruiter the names of companies you are already applying at if you really trust them.  Then get them to promise not to submit other candidates unless they are already working on that job.  You don’t want them to flood that opening with candidates and make it harder for you to get a job.
  4. Use a recruiter who has a history of placing people in the job you want.  Ask the recruiter how many people he has placed in your job in the last year.  If the answer is “None, but I’m trying hard.”, then let him try.  However, you need to keep looking as if he will never do anything for you.
  5. Be honest about the other jobs you are applying for.  Don’t try to figure out if going on other interviews will help your candidacy or not.  If the recruiter asks, tell the truth.  One whiff of a lie and the paranoid recruiter stops being open with you.  Honesty begets honesty.
  6. Every week or two call the recruiters you respect and who regularly place people in the job you want.  Many recruiters forget you after talking to 200 people in a week.  Remind the ones who can really help you that you still need a job.
  7. Don’t use a recruiter where you have a better contact, unless the recruiter told you about the job first.  If you already know about an opening in a company and know the hiring manager yourself, don’t use a recruiter.  Submit yourself.  If the recruiter first told you about the job, let him submit you or he will stop telling you about new jobs.
  8. Reread number one. Don’t give your whole job search over to one recruiter unless he proves he is doing great things to find you a job.

Recruiters combine a love of helping people and making money.If they can help you and make money doing it, they will.   They talk to at least 100 new people every week.  You have to be sure you know how high you stand in their priority list, and how hard they will work for you. Use recruiters wisely.

Something To Do Today

Make a list of all the recruiters you talk to.  Make notes about whether you trust them and how often they have placed people in the job you are looking for.  That list will help you to know who to concentrate on working with.

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Tomorrow:     Get famous, get a job

Later:              Sneaky no good cops set a trap for me

Katrina, FEMA and who’s in charge of you

A surprisingly great trumpet appeared

Brass knuckles and the law

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Posted in Finding jobs, Recruiters

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Talent war heats up in Silicon Valley

Posted on March 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

Yes, talent wars are starting again.  See this article about Silicon Valley.

Are you prepared to be stolen away?  Programmers and accountants are being snatched everywhere.

Can you protect your teammates from being pilfered at a critical point in your project?

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Posted in Finding jobs, Networking, Quitting or Fired, Recruiters, talent, Uncategorized

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Stop recruiter theft

Posted on September 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

Get your boss to watch this seminar.  It shows you exactly what cracks recruiters exploit to steal employees out of companies.  Maybe your boss, or the HR department will take the hint and turn your company into a great place to stay. Then headhunters like me won’t be able to commit recruiter theft anymore.

Click here to see the seminar.

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Posted in Recruiters

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Why don’t companies say “Yes” or “No”? What can I do about it?

Posted on June 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

Most of your frustration in a job search comes down to 2 situations at the company you are applying for.

First, the recruiter is told:

“We have a candidate we like better, but we want you to keep Jim warm, okay?  We might end up hiring Jim if this other guy doesn’t work out.  Don’t tell Jim anything.”

Or the receptionist is told:

“Jill, there are 250 resumes in my in-box.  Please go through them and give me the 10 best resumes.  Throw the rest away.”

Those are the two scenarios that account for most of the frustration in a job search.  In either case you will get no useful reply to your job inquiries.  In the first case, you can ask for information and probably get a reply filled with evasions.  In the second case you will never get a reply.

You still should call and ask for information about your application.  Many times your call will cause them to pick up your resume one more time and take another look.  One company rarely hires someone unless they have called 3 or more times.  I only know of one company that does that as policy.  I know a lot of companies that need their memory to be jogged.

If a company is hoping to hire you, that’s good.  It may be frustrating to wait for a month while they make up their minds, but so what?  If another job comes along, take it.  Anytime you go two weeks without an interview or an offer, assume the job is on hold while they look at other candidates. Call regularly, look for another job, but leave yourself available in case something good happens.  What can it hurt to be patient?

Deal with reality.  At the job you apply for, and get no response whatsoever, they are trying to work quickly.  If it takes one minute apiece to answer each of 250 job inquiries, that is over 4 hours of drudge work.  That’s why most companies don’t reply anymore.  The time it takes is too great. Many times you won’t get an answer.  That’s reality.  If you follow up with a call, you have a little better chance of something happening.  That’s also reality.

Don’t get mad, deal with reality. No one wants to insult you.  It is best not to be offended.  Just accept the fact that unless you are hired, your job application will end up in limbo, not in a straightforward “Yes!” or “No.”  Deal with it. Follow up, but also keep your job search active.

Something To Do Today

Call the companies that have not given you a response.  Jog their memories.  Don’t get mad, just let them know you are still interested.

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Posted in Attitude, Finding jobs, Perseverance, Recruiters

How to answer, “Where else are you interviewing?”

Posted on June 28, 2011 | Leave a comment

During a police interrogation you answer questions differently than you do when you are talking to your spouse.  For example, “Where have you been?” can be more dangerous coming from one of the two sources.

There are two correct responses to the question, “Where are you interviewing?”  If you are talking to a hiring manager or HR person, tell them.  Let them know what is going on. Give them details if they ask. It will most likely increase your desirability if they know others are talking to you.

If you are talking to a recruiter at an agency, you need to decide if you trust the recruiter.  Ask the recruiter, “Why do you want to know?”  After the recruiter acts defensive or offended, ask your real question, “Do you ever submit resumes to jobs you find out about from candidates?”

The recruiter should answer, “I will only submit a resume to a job you mention if I am already working on it, or if you tell me you are out of contention there.  I will never reduce your chances of getting a job by submitting competition unless I was already working on the job.”

Do you trust the recruiter?  If so, give him the details of your interviews. He can help you much better in your job search if he knows everything. All the recruiting trainers and over half the recruiters will play fair with you. They will not ruin your chances where you are already interviewing. If you have serious doubts about the recruiter, tell them you are interviewing, but not precisely where.

Basically, if someone will hurt you with the information, protect yourself.  If the information works to your advantage, tell them.

Evaluate every recruiter you work with.   Which ones do you trust?  Which ones are questionable?  Tell the ones you trust where you are interviewing.

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Posted in Interviews, Recruiters

Secrets Of How A Recruiter REALLY Works

Posted on October 15, 2010 | Leave a comment

A job?  No.  This is war.

My partner Karen Woodworth was accused by a candidate of  “Just being in this for the money”,  and submitting other candidates.

She wrote the following email to describe exactly what she did to fill that job.  Changes to protect privacy have been made.

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Julie,

I have a client (an HR Rep) who calls me out of the blue with a problem. She needs to fill a position in her IT department, a position that they have been trying to fill for several weeks/months with no success. When I try to get some of the unwritten needs described I’m told that I need to talk to the department manager who’s out of town. Oh yes, and the HR Rep is going out of town next week as well so I’m to chat with Phyllis (someone I’ve never spoken with) when she gets back.

In the meantime, I search my files. (Picture this! Resume by resume I go through several hundred, maybe a thousand, each file is opened and examined page by page.) I actually have not spoken to Phyllis yet, so I am searching without full disclosure of her needs. I find a number of candidates who can do this job. I narrow it down to what I feel at this time are the best from which to select my finalists and begin to contact them for further qualification. Now, all this time I’m thinking Julie Beck, Julie Beck… I gotta talk to Julie Beck, I think she’s perfect for this but I know that Bryan’s been marketing her to Arizona. Out of respect for her desire to go to Arizona and Bryan’s working in that direction I hold off contacting her. (“Hell, Julie and her husband are ready to become permanent snowbirds, she won’t be interested.” I tell myself for days.) And I’ve not yet spoken with Phyllis.

So when Phyllis returns I get to ask some questions and find out that I really like this lady. I like her upfront simple responses and lack of playing games. I begin to submit what I think are the right kinda folks and she steers me into a finer appreciation of what she’s really looking for and I’m not on the mark. (God, I want to do this right. I want to serve the HR Rep that called me for help, but more than that, this opening is becoming a full time search. No more like an obsession. I’ve set my mind on it… Other recruiters have failed at filling this and I wanna do it! Damn, I want to be the one who heard and understood and succeeded.) And, if I could only talk to Julie, oh hell, she’s working on something for $135 an hour, she won’t even talk to me. Geography’s wrong and salary’s too light. Don‘t even bother to call her… But she’s so perfect…

So I begin to refine my search and submit a couple more guys who can do the job. Telephone screening goes badly, I’ve not hit the mark but I’m still thrashing around the files and putting it out on the net and sharing my needs with cooperative recruiters I trust…

Now Phyllis’s sister-in-law dies and she has to go out of town again. I’ve submitted a couple of guys that she’s not seen cuz she’s gone. And in desperation, I finally screw up the courage to call you, Julie. (If you tell me to get lost, I deserve your rancor… I know you’ve got bigger fish to fry.)

You and I decide to look at this… And I feel like I finally have a serious candidate in for consideration. At this same time, if you don’t get or take this job I’m still and even more committed to filling it! Damn am I committed! Intellectually and professionally I need to succeed here because others have failed.

And all at once, I’ve managed to give Phyllis three serious candidates… I haven’t told the others, but my money’s on you.

And, girl friend, the money has nothing to do with it! This is personal! It’s my ego!

Do I want you to get the offer? YUP! Do I want you to get the best offer I can get for you? YUP! Do I expect to do the negotiating? YUP! I have 25 years of experience in this job that has proven to me time and again that I can and will get for my candidate a better offer than my candidate can get for him/her self. In that you’ll need to trust me.

And, at some point, I would like you to believe in me, and not compare me to another recruiter you’ve dealt with before. This is my profession, not my job. I’m here because I can do what others fail to do.

I’m not here for the money! That happens to be a by-product not a score card.

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Would you trust the above recruiter with your resume?  I would.  That is the kind of recruiter you want to find and keep in contact with for your whole career.  She may not help you get every job she submits your resume for, but if she finds you a job, you will love it.

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Posted in Recruiters

Motivating Recruiters

Posted on September 16, 2010 | Leave a comment

Money was never a big motivation for me, except as a way to keep score.  The real excitement is playing the game.  (Trump)

Many recruiting offices have a button that rings a bell.  You can only push the button when you make a placement.  Some recruiters live only to press that button.  When they do press it, they keep their finger down for a full minute.  It drives everyone else nuts….with envy.  Recruiters are competitive people.

Placing someone in a job motivates recruiters.  Sure recruiters want money.  That is not their base motivation.  Their whole job is centered on making placements.

Want to motivate a recruiter?  Convince them they can place you quickly.

Some things that help:

  1. A great resume showing accomplishments, not responsibilities
  2. A positive attitude
  3. Talents that are in strong demand
  4. Winning interview skills
  5. Reasonable salary expectations
  6. Motivation to take a new job
  7. Little job hunting done on your part already
  8. A list of companies you would like to work for
  9. An exclusive relationship with the recruiter
  10. Your spouse and kids back you in the move
  11. Willingness to relocate or commute
  12. Ability to interview at a moment’s notice
  13. Great references that can be checked immediately or that are already on LinkedIn
  14. A current job

If you bring me all of the things above, I will start salivating.  I will drop everything I am doing and find you a job.  So will any other recruiter worth his salt. With that list, you should find a recruiter who will market you.  Get his commitment to report back how his marketing is going. If he won’t commit, he is the wrong recruiter.

The way to motivate a recruiter is to be a great candidate.  If you have a motivated recruiter, soon you’ll have a new job.

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Something To Do Today

Go back over that list.  Can you figure out how to line up more of those things for your next job hunt?  Ask a recruiter for his honest opinion, “How marketable am I and what can I do to make myself irresistible to you?”

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Posted in Accomplishments, Finding jobs, Focus, Quitting or Fired, Recruiters, Resumes, Training