Recruiters: Is common courtesy part of your Job Description?

Over the last two years I have been wanting to post an open message to all recruiters. I think the time is right.

Why do people use recruiters? Because they want to find a position and they want to work. They put their faith in the recruiter to do just that for them and eagerly await the best possible result that they get the position over everyone else, because they want to work. Be it for the love of the industry work they are in, financial reasons or they are the best suited/qualified for the position.

However  …. Over the last two years I have spoken with many hundreds of workers on the work front about how they found their recruiter experience. The response was pretty overwhelming to say the least. Sadly very few responses were in a positive light! Let me stress at this point NOT ALL RECRUITERS ARE LIKE THIS, there are some recruiters out there that are very good at their job and genuinely work hard to find the right person for the right position and do follow up. This post is not intended as a sledging match against recruiters but more of a “wake up” call for them.

Here are a few common responses which I will address later:

“Ha recruiters, they never get back to you, says they got your application then nothing”

"We wait and wait and wait and things are getting pretty tough financially and so we ring and they don’t even know who you are, end up saying we will get back to you, and never happens”

“Recruiters are only in it for the money, then you never hear from them”

“They never reply to messages, that’s if you can get through to them”

“They just want to sign you up, then big fat zero on the job front!”

“It’s like an inquisition, if they don’t like you, your gone, and waste of time”

“Why use them, they are not really interested, it’s all about the money and even then they take someone that’s less qualified with no experience!”

“They are all so so busy, we don’t matter, we are just a number”

I have to enquire, do recruiters know that this is the feeling of workers out there, and if so why isn’t something being done about it to turn these sentiments around? Do the Recruitment Agency CEO’s realise that 50% (I’m being generous here) of their recruiters are more than happy to operate this way? Do these managers actually see what’s happening and think “hmmm maybe a bit more training in customer service, time management might be required here?” I hope this stimulates deep discussion in Recruitment Agency Boardroom’s right across the nation because I believe this issue can and needs to be addressed straight away.

Let’s address the few common responses:

“Ha recruiters, they never get back to you, says they got the application then nothing”

When a person applies with a recruiter for a position, there is usually an email from the company or recruiter saying thank you we have received your application. How hard is it to put an email in place that gets sent automatically to those that are unsuccessful, they would then at least know an outcome. Some recruiters have this in place but most don’t. One would think this would be common practice but believe me it’s not. The majority of people never get a response. Also we know that you have to rely on the client as well and they may pull the job at the last minute, but come on communication is the key here don’t you think!

“We wait and wait and wait and things are getting pretty tough financially and so we ring and they don’t even know who you are, end up saying we will get back to you, and never happens”

Recruiters need to realise every day that they are recruiting for positions that impact on people’s lives socially and financially. People rely on them to do their job and that they will then be gainfully employed and have money coming in. People cannot afford to wait for up to 12 weeks to hear back about a position if they ever do hear back from you. If you don’t understand this concept then maybe you are in the wrong position.

“Recruiters are only in it for the money, then you never hear from them”

Recruiters or their Agencies receive fees for recruiting, many figures are bandied about, and maybe someone could clarify this point for me? We shall see.

“They never reply to messages, that’s if you can get through to them”

If you receive an email, text or phone call please respond. To say “oh but I get hundreds every day and couldn’t possibly get back to them all” is a cop out. I’m sorry but if you are receiving those amounts of contacts and haven’t got your time management sorted then that’s your problem to solve not those that are trying to find work or an answer to their application.

“They just want to sign you up, then big fat zero on the job front!”

This reply was very prevalent, people find they are racing in to the Agency, costing them money and time, only to find that there is no position or that the position been filled already, “but we will keep you on our books”. Maybe a suggestion would be only get people in if they are shortlisted, saving time and money or if their CV looks good for other positions ASK them if they could come in for a meet and greet to discuss upcoming positions and give the applicant the choice to do so.

“It’s like an inquisition, if they don’t like you, your gone, and waste of time”

We all make snap decisions based on first appearances etc etc. But are they the right ones? Do you actually know the role and what it entails that you are recruiting for, what is required of the applicant? In my experience the majority of recruiters don’t know what a Safety role entails. May I suggest you get out into the workforce and spend a day with safety person?

“Why use them, they are not really interested, it’s all about the money and even then they take someone that’s less qualified with no experience!”

This one was the biggie! It is really hard for a person to apply for a position with you only to not get it because someone else less qualified or inexperienced gets the position. Please remember recruiters that this happens more often than you think. But also remember that although you may not have placed that person that does have the qualifications and does have the experience, they usually do get placed by someone else and then end up working with that person you placed instead of them. I must say I have experienced this myself.

“They are all so so busy, we don’t matter, we are just a number”

Again this comes down to basic customer service, people skills and time management skills. These are everyday human beings you are dealing with, they all have feelings and families who are depending on them. Think really hard about this when you clock on in the morning. I know I do in my line of work.

I am very lucky to have had work over the last two years since leaving Barrow Island as a Senior Safety Supervisor and these are just my observations. I have a good work reputation and therefore have not had to rely on getting work from recruiters but for the thousands that do daily across the nation, please spare a thought for why they apply for work with you and what you can do to make a positive change in their lives. Let’s hope this post stimulates positive comments and change in the recruitment industry. To those good recruiters that do make a difference … Thank you!. We shall see.