Having recently read a posting on LinkedIn entitled – Too Many Recruiters Put Lipstick On A Pig– by Jon Bartos – http://linkd.in/Ug8fch , I felt a need to post my “open reply”. Perhaps I should let it go, but this article really gets my goat!
To quote Mr. Bartos, he felt that “90% of the recruiters he has worked with in 25 years in the business are focused on making a commission check and not in helping him”. He suggested that 90% of recruiters “put lipstick on pigs”. All I can say is…
Surely you get the idea…he implied that 90% of recruiters try to present an inferior candidate, dress them up nicely and attempt to sell them for me than they are worth. I find this assumption to be highly exaggerated and very far from the truth! Naturally, there are bad eggs in any industry, but to imply that 90% of recruiters put “lipstick on pigs” is a completely false statement, based neither in merit or fact.
So, how do clients and candidates find the good recruiters, and not, ahem, the “lipstick” recruiters? Here are some things you should look for –
Being a good recruiter simply means having the ability to provide people with the right skills, attitudes and initiatives, who will make a valuable contribution to an organization.
Professional recruiters excel at developing strong relationships – with both their clients and candidates. Clients and candidates alike should look for recruiters who take the time to truly understand both their immediate needs and their long-term goals. A good recruiter will get to know their candidates well, to gain an understanding that goes far beyond their resume.
Person-to-Person-to-Person (recruiter/candidate/client) interaction is as important as ever in building strong relationships. A strong recruiter should be able to clearly articulate how they and their candidate can add value to your team.
A professional recruiter responds flexibly to problems and challenges. A well-trained, professional recruiter asks excellent questions. They possess incredible listening skills. A professional recruiter is, most of all, ethical, reliable and responsible – they would never consider putting lipstick on a pig.
Always remember that your recruiter is your ally, not your adversary. They serve to help you find the best candidate. They are not a competitor to your Human Resources team, they should be considered a valuable part of your HR team!
Stevefrom4staff 