Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: What things that tech recruiters do, annoy you the most as an engineer?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

121–130 of 210 posts

Re: Ask HN: What things that tech recruiters do, annoy you the most as an engineer?

#121

Post by petesergeant »

stuckonempty wrote: post #14

Persistently messaging you to get you to apply but ghosting you and being unable to provide any status updates after you do. Will add to the OP’s list by saying they often also leave out even the hiring company’s name and if it’s a defined length contract in the initial message. Why do I need to get on a call for this?

> but ghosting you and being unable to provide any status updates after you do

Ghosting you is definitely not ok, but the inability to provide status updates usually comes from the end-client, not the recruiter.

Re: Ask HN: What things that tech recruiters do, annoy you the most as an engineer?

#122

Post by domano »

If the message is obviously based on a template i just feel like cattle and definitely wont answer that recruiter. I will add them nonetheless, since i can just post a general "looking for a job" message in case i urgently would need to find a job.

Re: Ask HN: What things that tech recruiters do, annoy you the most as an engineer?

#123

Post by sloaken »

barnaclejive wrote: post #36
cerved wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're not saying the company name because they don't want you going there directly and applying without them getting their hefty bonus

> They're not saying the company name because they don't want you going there directly and applying without them getting their hefty bonus Of course, but I'm not sure why that is my problem. Does the company want good people, or just the best they can afford after recruiter fees? If the recruiter can talk the talk, I'll hang with them vs going direct, and they will get the commission. If not, they won't get the place…

For legal reasons, if a company receives a resume for a given person from 2 sources, it tosses them all and marks you as a no hire.

When 2 recruiters sends in your info, the company does not know whom to compensate. They have been sued for this. 15 years ago, the common practice, because lawsuits and fraud are expensive, it was safer to pass on the candidate.

Re: Ask HN: What things that tech recruiters do, annoy you the most as an engineer?

#124

Post by austincheney »

Normally recruiters are super excited about their tech stack, framework, and tools. Somehow they are looking for a senior developer to be thrilled by tools. There is no such thing as a senior hammer user or a senior shovel user, so I don’t know why software gets this so blazingly wrong.

Worse is when this becomes a conversation with a hiring manager and they are somehow shocked by your complete lack of total excitement about their framework. Once it becomes clear they are wanting a tool jockey instead of somebody to write software I have already lost complete interest. It might as well be a dead end career telemarketing at that point.

Re: Ask HN: What things that tech recruiters do, annoy you the most as an engineer?

#126

Post by MillenialMan »

bartread wrote: post #120
hunglee2 wrote: post #59

Reason why recruiters (and any other type of sales person) prefer synchronous vs asynchronous communication is because of 'conversion rate'. Note, this is NOT converSATION rate, this is conversion rate, the opportunity to 'convert' you from being a prospect to an active candidate, now in process. Asynch is ignorable (which is why they are good for the receiver), but Synch if accepted can become a negotiation (which i…

Understand that I'm not singling you out here because I see similar kinds of comments on lots of recruitment related threads on HN, but this comment: > My advice for engineers is: understand what manner of communication you most prefer, state this clearly whereever you have a profile and stick rigidly to this. There is really no reason why a recruiter should have your number, and if they do, no reason for you to answ…

I'll be blunt, I don't think this is true. I fully believe that forcing a recruiter to operate on your terms comes across as inflexible and I doubt they like it, but I don't think it will hurt your employability at all.

If a company could afford to purge people for being skeptical of recruiters, they wouldn't be spending money on recruiters. Engaging in recruitment by definition means you don't have an adequate hiring pool.

If you want me to talk to you, you can make time in your schedule and I can keep my number secret. I don't work for you, I don't need to be flexible. You reached out? Then you operate on my terms. That's completely reasonable and anyone who tries to suggest it isn't reasonable, is being unreasonable - and I think any protestations to the contrary are probably hot air. If they want me, that's not going to be the tipping point (nor should it be).

Re: Ask HN: What things that tech recruiters do, annoy you the most as an engineer?

#127

Post by Niksko »

Agree about the call thing. I assume it's because getting you on the call increases the chance that they'll be able to sell you on a lemon of a job.

Another thing: just tell me who the job is with. This makes a big difference, and is also going to influence whether I'll get back to you.

Re: Ask HN: What things that tech recruiters do, annoy you the most as an engineer?

#128

Post by sdeframond »

markplindsay wrote: post #18
sdeframond wrote: post #4

Sending automated messages based on your LinkedIn profile, without actually reading it?

My "one weird trick" for spotting this behavior is using my middle initial on LinkedIn. LinkedIn stores it as a part of my first name, so their spam always starts off with "Hey Mark P.!" Those emails get ignored. I ignore most automated agency emails as well. I will always reply to personal emails from in-house recruiters or employees, however. I am starting a new job soon, though, so it's only to thank them for writ…

Nice!

I add an emoji before my first name on linkedin for the same reason.

Re: Ask HN: What things that tech recruiters do, annoy you the most as an engineer?

#130

Post by rsj_hn »

bartread wrote: post #120
hunglee2 wrote: post #59

Reason why recruiters (and any other type of sales person) prefer synchronous vs asynchronous communication is because of 'conversion rate'. Note, this is NOT converSATION rate, this is conversion rate, the opportunity to 'convert' you from being a prospect to an active candidate, now in process. Asynch is ignorable (which is why they are good for the receiver), but Synch if accepted can become a negotiation (which i…

Understand that I'm not singling you out here because I see similar kinds of comments on lots of recruitment related threads on HN, but this comment: > My advice for engineers is: understand what manner of communication you most prefer, state this clearly whereever you have a profile and stick rigidly to this. There is really no reason why a recruiter should have your number, and if they do, no reason for you to answ…

You are replying to someone requiring recruiters to use their communication method. Not employers. Imagine I send you an email offering you the rough details of some "opportunity", and you reply with some questions, but then instead of answering those questions directly I reply to you with an invitation for a phone call and a refusal to give a direct answer via email/message. Now who is being entitled? You contacted me, not the other way around.

Moreover, unless your business is basic webdev or your skill requirements are very low, I have a hard time believing you are turning down lots of candidates. It's brutal out there for those trying to hire. This is definately not a buyers market, it's a seller's market. It may not be for long, but that's the current situation.

Post reply on HN