Recruiting and relationships in today’s world

Imagine you’re working at your desk and another employee stops by to pass on some upsetting news: There may be a mass layoff due to tight budget constraints.

You think to yourself I’ve been here a long time, my boss loves me and I always finish my work on time. I’ll be safe.

Later that week a couple of employees are called into the departmental manager’s office. After coming out they assure everyone that the manager only asked about the status of their current projects. The next day they both get let go due to “poor performance”. It could have been “budget reduction” or “business realignment” just as well.

In the current business environment, loyalty to employees is a thing of the past. People come and go, often with no good reason.

Once reality sets in some people wallow in despair, some relocate or retire, but many seek the assistance of professional recruiting firms.

Many recruiters will assure you that they have the best relationships with the clients they’re working with. They will mention all of the lunches they’ve shared and all their mutual friends. However, 85% of the time this isn’t the truth and unfortunately, they won’t be the ones suffering because of it. You will.

Make sure to do your homework on the recruiting firm you’re thinking about working with. Don’t be afraid to ask them about the business they’ve done with a particular client in the past, and always ask whether they meet with clients and consultants face-to-face.

Make sure to note who speaks with you about which clients. It’s also important to make sure that you’re not submitted to the same job by more than one firm because if you are, it could damage your chances of being hired. It helps to meet with the recruiting firm you are working with and maintain strong relationships with those you want to represent you.

In the end, a large portion of the recruiting firm’s success rate is about relationships - relationships with you, with the client, and with other vendors and local professional organizations. So before you run to that mega-firm that you thought could help you in an instant, consider working with smaller firms that value personal relationships. A strong bond between parties leads to continued success.

--- Mel Aly, Recruiter, Documentation Strategies Inc.