Earlier today I attended JobCircle’s Diversity Recruiting Fair at the Kimmel Center in Center City Philadelphia. As expected, the turnout was great, made new friends, and received some great advice about resume writing. While there was a great output of positive energy, there was something amiss with the actual recruiters and/or people representing their respective companies.
In Job Hunting 101, we job seekers are always told to put our best foot forward. Smile, firm handshake, and professional business attire are programmed into our psyches so that we can be respectful of the professional speaking to us. After all, we are the ones who are looking for a position within your company. Today at the job fair, I noticed that sometimes these professionals (mostly in human resources) do not often practice what they preached. I found the demeanor of some of the company’s representatives to be mildly disturbing.
For instance, I walked up to a human resources representative of a well-known, Fortune 500 company who happened to be recruiting for a certain position. I wanted to know what this company was looking for in its employees and what skills would be the right fit. The response I received was a very short “I don’t know” and “for more information log on to our website.” I responded no problem and asked if I could submit my resume. The response was “I don’t want it, just send it online.” I felt like I was inconveniencing her as she was obviously perturbed about something.
Another recruiter/company representative from another well-known Fortune 500 company did not even respond when I said hello and presented my resume. She seemed to be “put off” by the mere sight of another candidate who in her mind may deem to be unqualified. When asked about the positions for which she was recruiting, she told me what skills she was looking for and I did not quite necessarily match up to those skills. I thanked her for her time and she ignored me like I was a beggar on the street asking for spare change.
As organizations you give us pointers that would aid us in speaking with you about open positions. Given today’s economy, I understand that there are going to be a large pool of applicants for positions. The point I am trying to make is that while we are bending over backwards to show you our potential and what we are going to do for you in the open role, at least treat us with the same professionalism you ask of us. As a recruiter, you have to look at the big picture – negative impressions and attitudes are going to destroy your company’s goodwill and credibility in the marketplace. Sometimes we have to put on our public relations hats and sell the candidate on the company we represent. Recruiting and staffing agencies do such a great job of that, but internal recruiters need to exhibit the same kind of energy. Remember, my fellow recruiters and human resource professionals, we got into this line of work because we love talking to people and if you cannot project that passion into your work, then you may have to attend a job fair as a seeker and not a hunter because you are clearly in the wrong profession.
On an unrelated note, I’d like to congratulate the Philadelphia Phillies on a great season. They may have not come away with what they wanted, but it was one hell of a ride this year and look forward to getting back there in 2010.
