Part of it stems from the fact that you have a misconception about who the recruiter works for. Most people think that recruiters work for them; it doesn't work that way.
If the will, how much you paying for that service? And you think you're working for you?
The fact of the matter is that recruiters are hired by organizations to fill jobs. If you fit the requirement do you think you're going to get on the phone and call companies and say, "hi! I've got this great candidate! You've really got to talk with them! They are terrific! Best person I've ever spoken with! Sorry, you don't need someone like that?"
It doesn't work that way. Recruiters work with organization that defined a need for a person with a certain kind of background and go out and find. They are paid for that service. To do that they need to find someone like you.
I say like you because it may not be you. It may involve someone with a different set of skills. Even if you have the same skills as the firm is looking for, do you think they're only sending in one person? Of course not!
They are not relying upon placing you and you don't fit. What they care about is referring someone… Anyone… Will satisfy the client and being hired by, then work 90 calendar days and receive a check from the company.
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter points out the biggest mistake job hunters make when they think about working with recruiters.
Today, I want talk with you about your expectations of working with a recruiter and point out to you that they may be out of whack.
Most people have the mistaken notion that a recruiter works for them. That is the job hunter you're in charge and the recruiter is working for you. That’s partially right. To understand who are recruiter works for, ask yourself how much are you paying them? Seriously, how much you paying them? Nothing. Who's paying the recruiter? The employer. Do you think a recruiter is going to go out once they have your resume and knock on thousands of doors until they find a job for you?
No. That's a working for you really means. It means that they are out there trying to find a job for you; in point of fact, since employers are paying recruiters, they’re working for the employer and what they're trying to do more often than not is finesse you into the square box that the employer has defined in terms of job, in terms of compensation, in terms of role and responsibilities . . . Every step along the line. If you don't fit that box, you're not on their radar screen.
When they get a job, when they find the job the fits you, have no fear period They will get back in touch. But understand, they are not working for you. They’re really working for the employer.
Now, I also don’t want to ignore the fact that, ultimately, they have to listen to you and work with your constructs and your needs, wants and desires in order to fill a position. But, if you think your number one, in their book, you are very confused because, ultimately, as is in your life, the person who pays you is the one to whom the loyalty exists.
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter. Discusses a more effective way of doing campus recruiting.
This one's involved with college recruiting.
Most of you at this point have a pretty predictable routine with doing campus recruiting and, frankly, doesn't it stink. You stand there. Get some resumes. You talk to the kids, you bring them in later on. People interview them. You know the routine.
Have you considered before you have the day that it be a purposeful day? That you arrange for the University to do testing of the graduates or the potential employees as a way of determining whether or not they know anything?
Let's assume that they know very little but what are your expectations for what these kids know when they graduate? How could you test those people before you even shake their hands in order to determine whether or not they're qualified? Now, some of you will say, "well, no one will show up."
Well, that's a criteria that you can use for evaluating. If they're hungry enough to show up, aren't you more interested than if they don't give a darn. Of course, you' are.
A lot of the kids out there are being coddled and you don't want to hire babies. You can get them a year or two later after someone else's broken them in and focus on the ones that are prepared to drive hard and dive hard into challenges. That's who you really want. You don't want the ones who are really disguised infants. Those people may be very qualified but not on the personality side, not on the temperament side, not in terms of the effort that they're willing to expend side. You want to get them after they have that.