[04.07.09]

13 great comments!

The Chasm Between Job Seekers and Recruiters

chasm, canyoun, job seekers, recruiters, job search, grand canyon, relationship, recruiting, employment

I’m typing away on my Blackberry on the Grand Canyon Railway. Heading back to Williams, AZ from a pretty big chasm of another kind.

A perfect time to do a follow-up on my earlier post titled “Why the heck do recruiters completely ignore messages from potential candidates”. A lot of people shared their thoughts on this post both here on the blog and on Linkedin. They included recruiters, active job seekers and folks who recently completed a search.

A few sentiments expressed (my words) included:

1. Recruiters saying “thanks” for explaining their position.

2. Current job seekers expressing anger and frustration with recruiters for their apparent lack of common courtesy.

3. Former job seekers looking back on their experience with hindsight and a more objective view on their recruiter interactions.

I really was at the Grand Canyon today and took the picture above with my Blackberry (so please don’t expect Ansel Adams quality). I just hope it isn’t blurry.

Besides having just left the GC, I was planning on writing a follow-up anyway. Someone commented on one of the Linkedin groups that they wanted to hear more about the “chasm” between job seekers and recruiters.
So, properly inspired by the GC, here goes:

The relationship starts off on the wrong foot for a number of reasons.

First, job seekers mess up the system a bit when they rely too much on recruiters. Despite the low percentage of jobs sourced by the recruiting industry, job seekers often spend 30-40 (or more) percent of their time marketing themselves to recruiters. Demand is way above supply.

Second, job seekers don’t work to build relationships (as they should) with recruiters. When employed, the future job seeker does not respond to recruiter messages or requests for referrals. Why not? Well, they don’t need recruiters when they’re working, right? Do you think recruiters feel a lack of courtesy when their calls go unanswered? Yep.

Third, job seekers don’t make it easy for recruiters. They apply for jobs even when not qualified. They apply for jobs they don’t really want (or aren’t sure). If it fits one or two of their six objectives, they shoot off an e-mail. It takes less than a minute to modify a cover letter and attach a version of a resume. They also haven’t made themselves easy to find on the internet. No (or poorly written) profiles on Linkedin and other job or social networking sites.

Now, recruiters don’t get off the hook either. Why hasn’t the industry created a publicly available auto response system that takes the burden off of recruiters and let’s job seekers know that the resume was at least reviewed and entered into the system? That would solve a lot of the issue for job seekers. It at least suggests a basic amount of respect.

Well, the truth is that this chasm has a history. Some of us have great experiences working with recruiters. A career full of back and forth interactions. My experience? A little bit of career counseling rewarded with some networking help makes for a good ongoing partnership.
However, most job seekers do not interact with recruiters very often and, honestly, don’t know what to expect (or what’s expected of them).

So, the chasm exists in large part due to a lack of regular interaction between the two parties and a resulting misunderstanding of the roles. That combined with little or no cross empathy for each other’s plight.

Recruiters have a job to do for their clients and job seekers don’t care where the job comes from…

…whether a recruiter is involved or not.

So maybe we need a Boxing Day for the job search industry. A day when recruiters are looking for a job and job seekers are trying to find good, qualified candidates.

TimsStrategy Recommends

The Magic Bullet for a Job Search! (Career Rocketeer)
Job Seekers: Consider the Source! (Career Rocketeer)

http://CaribPOP.biz Kim Randall

Great post!
http://CaribPOP.biz Kim Randall

Great post!
http://www.dmcgblog.com/ Ted Grigg

Actually, in my experience recruiters are far more courteous and responsive than employers.
Now that’s a group that acts like a black hole. Your carefully prepared letter of introduction and modified resumé almost never gets more than a form letter.
As a past employer, I always spent the extra time to recognize personalized resumés and good letters with a courteous response.
But I guess that’s the exception rather than the rule.
So now, I just network and work with recruiters. Anything else is pretty much a waste of time for senior positions.
http://www.dmcgblog.com/ Ted Grigg

Actually, in my experience recruiters are far more courteous and responsive than employers.
Now that’s a group that acts like a black hole. Your carefully prepared letter of introduction and modified resumé almost never gets more than a form letter.
As a past employer, I always spent the extra time to recognize personalized resumés and good letters with a courteous response.
But I guess that’s the exception rather than the rule.
So now, I just network and work with recruiters. Anything else is pretty much a waste of time for senior positions.
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Thanks Ted – Everyone has a style that works for them. I’m glad you’ve found success with recruiters. I agree it can be a great “win-win” relationship. Also agree that the same issue (lack of communication) is found with company HR departments.
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Thanks Ted – Everyone has a style that works for them. I’m glad you’ve found success with recruiters. I agree it can be a great “win-win” relationship. Also agree that the same issue (lack of communication) is found with company HR departments.
Jonathan Clark

Hi Tim,
First, let me say I really enjoy all of the information you provide. I have been reading on your site all night and have printed info on about 10 topics. That said, here’s my question: I noticed your comment above about job seekers making it harder on recruiters by applying for jobs they are either uncertain if they’re interested in or are unqualified for. If a jobseeker is 1) low on funds, 2) running out of financial resources for liquid cash, 3) not able to pay for basic living expenses, and 4) drawing unemployment but it’s not enough, how do you suggest they approach finding a job and deciding which ones to apply to? I’ve seen a lot of “just be patient and stay active and it will come” posts by various people, but when one’s survival is at stake you can understand people expanding the boundaries of what they will and won’t apply for. Oddly enough, it seems like the worst time to look for a job is when you don’t have one, but if you’ve lost your job without warning what do you do? Circumstances might force you to go for jobs you really don’t want or aren’t exactly qualified for.
Thanks.
Jonathan Clark

Hi Tim,
First, let me say I really enjoy all of the information you provide. I have been reading on your site all night and have printed info on about 10 topics. That said, here’s my question: I noticed your comment above about job seekers making it harder on recruiters by applying for jobs they are either uncertain if they’re interested in or are unqualified for. If a jobseeker is 1) low on funds, 2) running out of financial resources for liquid cash, 3) not able to pay for basic living expenses, and 4) drawing unemployment but it’s not enough, how do you suggest they approach finding a job and deciding which ones to apply to? I’ve seen a lot of “just be patient and stay active and it will come” posts by various people, but when one’s survival is at stake you can understand people expanding the boundaries of what they will and won’t apply for. Oddly enough, it seems like the worst time to look for a job is when you don’t have one, but if you’ve lost your job without warning what do you do? Circumstances might force you to go for jobs you really don’t want or aren’t exactly qualified for.
Thanks.
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hi Jonathan – I completely understand the feeling and the financial need to go after jobs that may be well outside of your industry, level or other boundary. I have been there and have spoken to a lot of job seekers who share your sentiment. And, as I said in prior articles, there is nothing wrong with stretching a bit. It’s OK to open the doors a bit wider. The problem, in my opinion, is when you apply for jobs so far outside of your boundary that you just have hiring managers and recruiters shaking their heads. Your odds go way down and you have just wasted a bunch of time applying for jobs where you are not qualified. Especially in this economy where there are many candidates who are a perfect match, the odds that a very weak match will get a call are very low.
I have also said that it is a good idea to interview for jobs that you don’t want. But go after ones in your zone so that you can actually get a call (along with some great interview practice). You never know – the job that you interview for may end up surprising you!
Remember too that it is a small community out there. If your resume starts popping up all over, you may be remembered for the wrong reasons. And that can damage your ability to be taken as a serious candidate when the perfect job does come around.
Jonathan, thanks for a very provocative follow-up. Please know that I am not unsympathetic. And I know that “be patient” is easy to say when you are no longer looking, but I still believe in that advice. And, I think, in hindsight you will see that it was true as well.
Best to you and thanks again for the great comment!
http://profile.typepad.com/1220292248s14607 Tim Tyrell-Smith

Hi Jonathan – I completely understand the feeling and the financial need to go after jobs that may be well outside of your industry, level or other boundary. I have been there and have spoken to a lot of job seekers who share your sentiment. And, as I said in prior articles, there is nothing wrong with stretching a bit. It’s OK to open the doors a bit wider. The problem, in my opinion, is when you apply for jobs so far outside of your boundary that you just have hiring managers and recruiters shaking their heads. Your odds go way down and you have just wasted a bunch of time applying for jobs where you are not qualified. Especially in this economy where there are many candidates who are a perfect match, the odds that a very weak match will get a call are very low.
I have also said that it is a good idea to interview for jobs that you don’t want. But go after ones in your zone so that you can actually get a call (along with some great interview practice). You never know – the job that you interview for may end up surprising you!
Remember too that it is a small community out there. If your resume starts popping up all over, you may be remembered for the wrong reasons. And that can damage your ability to be taken as a serious candidate when the perfect job does come around.
Jonathan, thanks for a very provocative follow-up. Please know that I am not unsympathetic. And I know that “be patient” is easy to say when you are no longer looking, but I still believe in that advice. And, I think, in hindsight you will see that it was true as well.
Best to you and thanks again for the great comment!
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The Chasm Between Job Seekers and Recruiters

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