What's The Story With Recruiters?

Question:
 
Dear Cher:
What's the story with recruiters? Last week one called me and I sent him a resume. He got back to me, said the resume was great, and I would have a phone interview in the next day or so. Since then I have not heard from him, and he won't return my calls. I have had other similar experiences. Are they all like that?
Mary, Brooklyn, NY

Answer:

Dear Mary:
Although the real answer is no, many who have had more than one experience like yours, would say yes! It sounds like you're dealing with an independent recruiter, or member of a new or loosely organized recruiting firm, not one working within the company with the open position.

Here's some job coaching information that may help. Any recruiter can treat a candidate shabbily, especially those who have no one to answer to about their performance, or have been in the business about ten minutes and for whom it's not a career. The totally independent recruiter is attentive to the candidate who is attractive to the client. If this recruiter presented your "Biotech Manager" resume to the client and was told, "No. I need a Tax Manager. Weren't you listening?", the recruiter has no incentive to get back to you. The recruiter may remember you and call when he needs a real Tax Manager, but don't hold your breath hoping he is that organized.

There are other types of independent recruiters, though, for whom it is a career. They will always let you know the outcome of a search, even though it could be a month down the road. Their immediate priority is to fill the position, but once that's done they will usually get back to you. A professional independent recruiter wants to leave you satisfied, feeling you have been treated well, and would look forward to working with him again as either a candidate or hiring manager.

Internal recruiters, either employees or professional contract recruiters, will usually do their best to close every loop. They may send out resume acknowledgment cards, or have a policy of answering everyone who calls back for follow-up information. This is especially true if the company policy is to respond to every candidate.

At some point, however, even the best companies may fail. If they're swamped with open requisitions, the priority may be to get them filled ASAP, and move on to the next one. If they're a young company growing rapidly, they may not have professional recruiters, or processes to follow. Other companies, especially when down-sizing or cutting expenses, may expect Managers to fill their own openings in addition to a packed day-to-day work schedule. Anything else they do, like taking the time to do follow ups, is gravy.

You may not find this a very satisfying answer, especially if you are anxious or worried. But, my advice is to not take the lack of follow-up personally. If you had a good rapport with the negligent recruiter, you might even send a note letting him off the hook, and saying thanks for the attention you received. That may even result in you being contacted about the next opening that "looks like you".

Best, Cher

Categories: Recruiters, Job Search Help