Summary

The author shares three personal anecdotes illustrating how recruiters have misled or inconvenienced him, questioning their sincerity and highlighting the commission-driven nature of the recruitment industry.

Abstract

In a candid reflection on his experiences with recruiters, the author exposes the discrepancy between recruiters' promises and the reality he faced. He recounts instances where he was given incorrect interview locations, recommended for roles mismatched with his background, and misled about the likelihood of a temporary position becoming permanent. Despite some recruiters providing initial assistance in securing job interviews, the author emphasizes the overall negative impact of recruiters' actions on his professional image and job search process. He advises job seekers to be skeptical of recruiters' assurances and points out that in-house recruiters tend to be more reliable. The author concludes by challenging the notion that recruiters are primarily motivated by helping others, suggesting that their true incentive is financial gain.

Opinions

The author expresses skepticism about recruiters' motivations, believing they are primarily driven by commission rather than genuine care for candidates.
He criticizes recruiters for making empty promises, such as finding the perfect role for candidates or ensuring job security.
The author feels that recruiters have made him look unprofessional and wasted his time with misguided job opportunities.
He suggests that external recruiters are less trustworthy than in-house recruiters, who are perceived as more knowledgeable and less likely to mislead candidates.
The author is cynical about recruiters who claim to be motivated by candidate satisfaction, implying that if they truly cared, they would work in roles that do not offer large commissions.

3 Times Recruiters Have Made Me Look Like An Idiot

#2 being told I was perfect for an opportunity that had nothing to do with my background

Big shout out to you recruiters out there that actually care about the candidate. I’m sure you exist somewhere.

Most talk a good game and say things that get your attention like ‘we are not like any other recruitment agency’ and are ‘motivated by finding the perfect job for their clients.

But let’s be honest, regardless of what they say, the only thing recruiters are motivated by is getting that sweet commission.

I remember one recruiter said to me in an initial waste of time meet and greet:

“nothing makes me happier than finding the right role for the right candidate. I don’t do it for the money.”

Biggest load of shite ever spoken. We know your role is heavily commission-based and it is all about getting bums on seats. It is a volume game. The more bums, the more dollar bills in your pocket. And we are definitely bums if we trust these smooth-talking clowns.

He cared so much about me as a candidate, I am still waiting for feedback from an interview I did 5 years ago…

Having said all this, some recruiters have been useful for me along the way. I remember when I was first looking for work and the market was tough. You would send applications and hear nothing back.

Speaking to recruiters and having them as your annoying mouthpiece actually did play some part in getting me job interviews. Don’t get me wrong, they didn’t do it out of the kindness of their heart. They were paid handsomely for their service.

But finding ones that weren’t complete jackasses was a challenge.

Here are 3 times I was made to look like a fool by those oh-so-caring recruiters.

1. Given the wrong location for an interview

My trusty recruitment consultant had secured me an interview but didn't have the address until the day of the interview. As I was living outside London at the time and needed to commute in, getting the address right was key. And London is a big place.

He sent me an email with the address on it, which he clearly had a guess with. I got a call 20 minutes before my interview that I was at the wrong address and needed to be on the other side of London. So I had to run like a madman to stand any chance of getting there.

The recruiter somehow tried to make out that this was my fault, and had no apology. I got to the interview late & was a sweaty mess. I looked so unprofessional.

And you’ll never guess what? I didn’t get the job.

2. Being told I was perfect for an opportunity that had nothing to do with my background

A recruiter I had met a few days prior called me and said he had the “perfect” job for me. As soon as he read the job description he thought to himself “ this has Calum written all over it.”

These guys have no shame. The horrible, made-up rubbish they speak. Well having been sold on this idea I couldn’t say no to that interview, could I?

The role was a short-term contract and he didn't really have a Job Description for it. (Should have known there and then that this was a set up)

I went to the interview and the first thing the interviewer said was, in this role we really need someone who is an expert in SQL, I am guessing you have used this before?

Nope.

I was honest (unlike MR You Are Perfect Recruiter) and said I hadn’t got this experience but was willing to learn.

We both knew the interview was over before it had even started. What a waste of time for everyone. Thanks for the memories recruitment bellend.

3. Being told that the job was definitely going to go permanent

This was an awkward situation that arose during the interview but more so once I started the job.

I was trying to move to London but needed to secure a stable job as the city is crazy-expensive.

I noticed a role at a prestigious company. I actually received a JD this time which was something a bit special. I noticed the role had temp-to-perm written on it.

I asked the recruiter what this meant as I had previously expressed to her I was only interested in a permanent position.

She explained that it was due to a headcount thing the company was going through and for me not to worry. All other people she has secured roles for had ended up becoming permanent so it was almost a guarantee.

I raised this to the interviewer and she instantly slammed this saying she couldn't guarantee this and they were looking for someone to come in and help with a short-term project, but hopefully they could get this role signed off as permanent if all went well.

Well, that never happened. I went into the role and it was almost a rolling month-on-month contract. No job security whatsoever.

It was a large multinational and at the time, it was hard to say no to working there. But I would have probably not interviewed in the first place if my manager hadn't made it sound like such a sure thing.

I had to have awkward conversations with my manager almost weekly, to know what was happening with my future. All because the recruiter planted the seed in my head that this was certainly going to be a permanent opportunity.

Departing Thoughts

For those of you that are new in your career and are looking for a job, please take what recruiters have to say with a pint of salt.

The in-house recruiters who actually work for the company directly tend to know what they are talking about a bit more and are less likely to stitch you up for some quick money.

Any good recruiters reading this don’t need to take offense. I just haven’t met you yet so am just going off experience.

But even if you are a good person and miraculously do care about your candidates, don’t go on about it. We know you are getting paid silly amounts in commission, so the argument you do it to make people happy is void.

Keep all the ‘I am motivated in helping others’ comments to yourself.

If you really cared about helping others, you would go and work in the charity sector.