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An Open Letter To Recruiters

paddy.io

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Re: An Open Letter To Recruiters

#2

Post by lugg »

The bad ones will never tell you outright, too worried you'll cut them out or tell your other recruiters. I have a couple of good ones I pretty much deal with exclusively. If I get a spam op from another recruiter I'll tell my real recruiter to go pitch me to company x (if I'm actually interested).

Sure its pretty ruthless but its not really my problem these guys look out for me and only bother me with calls about companies they know I'd fit with. They also leave me alone for years on end until I initiate the "I'm looking again" "protocol"

Re: An Open Letter To Recruiters

#3

Post by untog »

Look, if my LinkedIn profile shows I just started a job three months ago, I am almost certainly not looking to move jobs right now.

I noticed that last time I changed jobs I got a flood of e-mails just after I changed my LinkedIn profiles. It was deliberate, too - they'd start "I noticed you just started at X - if it isn't what you had hoped...", which is actually relatively smart in recruiter terms.

My pet peeve: calling me on my work phone number. I don't even know what my work phone number is, but presumably recruiters call the front desk and asked to be put through to me. It's shockingly unprofessional - as if I'm going to discuss an opportunity while I sit near my co-workers and boss.

Re: An Open Letter To Recruiters

#4

Post by timjahn »

Seems like it's every week or so now that a developer writes a letter like this to recruiters. Trust me, I completely agree - recruiters suck.

But I'm wondering if the recruiters you're actually trying to reach are simply never going to listen and never stop their ways. That's just not who they are.

Somebody needs to fix the recruiting industry, for realz.

Re: An Open Letter To Recruiters

#6

Post by timjahn »

untog wrote: post #3

Look, if my LinkedIn profile shows I just started a job three months ago, I am almost certainly not looking to move jobs right now. I noticed that last time I changed jobs I got a flood of e-mails just after I changed my LinkedIn profiles. It was deliberate, too - they'd start "I noticed you just started at X - if it isn't what you had hoped...", which is actually relatively smart in recruiter terms. My pet peeve: ca…

"I don't even know what my work phone number is, but recruiters call the front desk and asked to be put through to me (presumably)"

I've had this happen to me in the past and my jaw almost dropped. Like, REALLY?

Goes to show that these recruiters are all about spray and play, and have no real logical strategies.

Re: An Open Letter To Recruiters

#7

Post by paddyforan »

untog wrote: post #3

Look, if my LinkedIn profile shows I just started a job three months ago, I am almost certainly not looking to move jobs right now. I noticed that last time I changed jobs I got a flood of e-mails just after I changed my LinkedIn profiles. It was deliberate, too - they'd start "I noticed you just started at X - if it isn't what you had hoped...", which is actually relatively smart in recruiter terms. My pet peeve: ca…

"Yeah, not really enjoying this new job, my coworkers are total douche-canoes. Actually, could you hang on a second? -- Steve, can you keep your typing down? I'm on the phone with a recruiter. Thanks. -- So yeah, hate this job..."

Re: An Open Letter To Recruiters

#8

Post by paddyforan »

timjahn wrote: post #4

Seems like it's every week or so now that a developer writes a letter like this to recruiters. Trust me, I completely agree - recruiters suck. But I'm wondering if the recruiters you're actually trying to reach are simply never going to listen and never stop their ways. That's just not who they are. Somebody needs to fix the recruiting industry, for realz.

I know, but I remain hopeful. And if I don't tell people how they failed, how will they improve?

Writing this just put it in a convenient place so I can link to it instead of repeating myself every time.

Re: An Open Letter To Recruiters

#9

Post by tptacek »

I mean this is nice and all, but it's a little like writing an open letter to a real estate agent. It's a transactional business. Your problem isn't with recruiters, it's with the recruiting model.
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