Summary

Sherry McGuinn, a seasoned writer, shares her frustrating experiences with the job search process, particularly with recruiters, while seeking employment after being laid off from a long-term position in the marketing industry.

Abstract

Sherry McGuinn, a writer with a fourteen-year tenure as an Associate Creative Director at a marketing agency, has been unemployed since February 2018. She expresses her disappointment with the recruitment process, highlighting the lack of empathy and common courtesy from recruiters, who often ignore qualified candidates. Despite her qualifications and experience, McGuinn faces ghosting, unrealistic job requirements, and a job market that seems to favor younger candidates. She criticizes the impersonal nature of the recruitment industry, which often relies on software to filter candidates and fails to provide human interaction or feedback. Her article on Medium venting her frustrations with recruiters received many views but no comments, reflecting a broader issue of disengagement within professional networks like LinkedIn. McGuinn's experiences reflect the challenges faced by many in the job market, particularly those who feel undervalued and overlooked by the very people meant to facilitate their employment.

Opinions

McGuinn is critical of recruiters, whom she feels lack empathy and fail to perform their jobs effectively, often hiding behind the excuse of being too busy.
She is frustrated with the unrealistic expectations and laundry lists of qualifications in job listings, which she believes are designed to deter applicants rather than attract them.
McGuinn is skeptical of the value of LinkedIn connections, noting that they are often superficial and unhelpful unless someone is directly affected by job loss.
She is angered by the lack of response or acknowledgment from recruiters after applying for positions, especially after following up multiple times.
McGuinn points out the ageism present in the job market, where "Talent Acquisition Specialists" prefer younger, less experienced candidates over seasoned professionals.
She disagrees with the advice given in articles like "15 Tips for Working with Recruiters and Headhunters," finding it out of touch with the realities of job hunting.
McGuinn's sentiment echoes that of a Reddit poster who expressed deep dissatisfaction with recruiters, labeling them as opportunistic and exploitative of job seekers' desperation.

Looking For Work, Sucks

In other words, “recruit me not.”

I have been unemployed since February of 2018. On Valentine’s Day, I was laid off, over the phone from my fourteen-year gig at a marketing agency, where I was an “Associate Creative Director.” In other words, a copywriter.

During this unwelcome hiatus, I have been continually stunned by the lack of empathy, not to mention common courtesy, from the very people who are supposed to help the unemployed, find work: Recruiters, or “Talent Acquisition Specialists,” as they’re often referred to. I have another name for them, but I’m not sure I should share that, here. (Let me see how I feel at the end of the piece.)

Are any of you in the same boat? Have you been virtually ignored for positions that you are qualified for, or even, over-qualified?

The common come-back from the TAS, when called on their ineptitude is “Sorry, we’ve been swamped with resumes,” or the even more banal, “Sorry, I’ve been crazy busy.”

Bullshit. There is software that weeds out the chaff from the truly qualified candidates. Do your job. Show some humanity.

Many, if not most of these recruiters work from home and, if you’re lucky, might return a phone call in between playing Mommy and ordering stuff on Amazon Prime. Normally, when I do connect with one, their every sentence ends with a high-pitched question mark. You know what I’m talkin’ about. That type.

If it sounds like I’m pissed off, you bet I am. Truthfully, I could happily bid adieu to the marketing and advertising industry, with its bombastic demands for candidates who are expert at “SEO” and “relevant” content for social media. Hey, I’m an experienced, highly-qualified writer. And, perfectly capable of stuffing my copy with keywords until that Orange Troll in the White House realizes his ass is grass, and resigns.

A paycheck. That’s why I put myself in this humiliating position day, after day. Responding to jobs I know I’ll never get. I need the money. At least, until my dream comes true, and I have to believe it will.

Here is another challenge: No one just wants a damned good writer, anymore. One who can truly engage with, and maintain, an audience. Aside from all the digital crap, writers are now expected to be adept at design software, like Adobe Suite.

For shits and grins, or, if you’re just bored and in need of a distraction, check out the job ads on Indeed. For writers and copywriters, specifically. The laundry lists of responsibilities and qualifications sought by employers are truly coma-inducing. In fact, some are even indecipherable, as if they didn’t want us to know what the hell they’re looking for.

LinkedIn. More bullshit. Connections and more connections. Most of them useless, when push comes to shove. This is because no one cares about the hapless job seeker, until they, themselves, find their asses out on the street. Also, as LinkedIn is allegedly a site “about the business of business,” why are people so afraid at getting to the nitty gritty? I posted about my issue with recruiters — in a perfectly respectful manner — in the hope of initiating a discussion. This post received a ton of views. And not one comment. Seriously, LinkedIn-ers? Grow a set.

A few months ago, I fired off an email to the recruiter in charge of a Senior Copywriting opportunity available at the headquarters of a once-mighty retailer. Hint: They gear much of their communications to “crafty men.”

When the job was posted on Indeed, I jumped on it. Sent what I thought was an inviting intro letter, my resume and several links to my work. This was several days ago. In response, I received nothing. Nada. In fact, the silence was deafening

My second email, although still respectful, lacked the same, warm and fuzzy appeal. I inquired as to whether or not I should contact someone else, and asked if there was a concern about my qualifications. This is what I received in return:

Hi Sherry,

I apologize for the delay. This position was filled prior to you reaching out.

Regards,

(Asshole)

“Filled prior to my reaching out?” I’m sorry, but “Fuck you, man.” I’d like to give you something to reach out, for. No wonder this joint is going down the tubes.

Yes, I’m angry and I apologize. I don’t mean to dump on my Medium community, but I know in my heart some of you “get it.” And I get it. I do. I just don’t want to admit it.

The problem is, I’m past my shelf life. Talent Acquisition Specialists, many of whom wouldn’t know true talent if it sat on their faces, are looking for “young talent.” Let’s call it what it is: They’re seeking fresh-faced, fresh-out-of-the-educational-womb, Millennials.

Well, have at ’em, folks, and when they skip after two months for a better job with a higher salary, you can dust off your post for Indeed, Zip Recruiter, Glassdoor, ad nauseam. And, if I’m feeling sufficiently desperate to re-apply, just ignore me, like you usually do.

Here comes even more bullshit, in case you’re interested. “15 Tips for Working with Recruiters and Headhunters,” from LiveCareer.

1. Understand that recruiters don’t work for you. Uh-huh.

2. Consider recruiters who specialize in your field. Whatever.

3. Know whether a given recruiter utilizes an inventory of candidates. Toss my resume. You will, anyway,

4. Don’t worry about the model (contingency or retained) through which the recruiter is paid. Why worry when I won’t get the job?

5. Be prepared to put a positive spin on your status if you’re unemployed. LMFAO!!

6. Tailor your communications to each recruiter’s preferences. Yeah, sure.

7. Make it easy for recruiters to find you. You mean, like my email address and cell?

8. When a recruiter calls, ask key questions as you decide whether to work with them. “Is that your kid crying in the background?”

9. Don’t contact the employer directly. God forbid.

10. Don’t back out of your commitments once you have agreed to be a candidate. Oh, gosh, no.

11. Trust the recruiter. Oh, hell, no.

12. Let the recruiter negotiate your compensation package. “Free pizza Fridays? I’m in!”

13. Thank your recruiter at the end of the process. Gag.

14. Be open to contact from the recruiter even after you’ve landed a job. N/A

15. Serve as a resource to recruiters after you have the job. Never happen.

Okay. I’m starting to feel better by the minute. Just one more thing I need to address: Keep in mind, if you’re job-hunting, and your confidence is low and you feel like you’re being discounted: Those who can, do. Those who can’t, “recruit.”

I can’t say it any better than this Reddit poster, who, it would seem, knows exactly where I’m coming from:

“RECRUITERS SUCKI HATE THEM! THEY SUCK. ALL OF THEM!!!!! GET A FUCKING REAL JOB. GREEDY ASS SOB’s THAT RE VULTURES PREYING ON THE DESPERATE AND UNEMPLOYED!!! PATHETIC!”

Indeed.

Sherry McGuinn is a longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and numerous other publications. Sherry’s manager is currently pitching her newest screenplay, a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story.