Craig and others... There's a BIG difference between a truly professional recruiter and a basic head hunter. The professional recruiters will have no problem responding back within a reasonable period of time (usually 24-48 hours) and I usually don't have to ask for a response. In such cases, where I thought they were on this side of the placement fence and they didn't respond the first time, I call them to inquire if they got my resume and what the status of the opening is. In the case of my preferred recruiters, they actually will follow up with me on a regular basis, either with new opportunities or to provide updates on an existing opportunity I'm working through them. There's also some benefit in my doing postings here and letting them know that I am doing that. It encourages communication on the openings I'm personally interested in!
The headhunter on the other hand, will send you the req, ask immediately for your resume and in lot of cases you never hear back, regardless of the emails or calls you make. Sorry folks, but I get a lot of headhunters from India or with Indian heritage and for any lurkers on this list, you know exactly who I'm talking about. Now Corporate recruiters can be just as bad. They solicite a position through one of the job sites, you submit and then never hear back. I have come to expect that and just move on. If they are interested, they will contact you - but in some cases, it can be a matter of weeks. I just had a position I applied for back 3 weeks ago move forward yesterday and today I interviewed for it. But between then and yesterday, never heard a word and neither did a recruiter I had contact me about the same position that I kept in touch with. If they are not interested, they have an entire virtual existence they can hide behind and in about 99% of the cases, not even an act of God will get them to respond. I even have had the similar response several years ago AFTER an onsite interview (FOUR HOURS AWAY), sent a thank you note the day I interviewed, sent another follow up two weeks to both the HR Director AND the hiring manager, only to finally receive 3 weeks after that, from the HR manager, that the hiring manager had been out sick, but a "Yes I got your email, but I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to respond to it". I can't do a thing (and neither can you) about the Corporate recruiters or HR departments and in most cases, it's just better to move on. However, there's a reason I maintain my own personal DO NOT CONTACT list of headhunters, complete with saving the original emails, should I ever get contacted again. When I make that break, I clearly define my reasons for the disconnect and request they never contact me again to the headhunter firm. In some cases, they call back to try and apologize all over themselves, but I remind them that some times you only get one chance to make a first impression and their competition does a MUCH better job then they do. But I do agree, that common courtesy appears to be a lost art at times. And yes it's VERY frustrating. Ken [email protected] ________________________________ From: Craig Dunham <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wed, April 6, 2011 2:09:20 PM Subject: [EDI-L] <MISC> - Regarding <JOBS> postings.... I'd like to ask a favor of all of the recruiters and others on the list that post jobs to do something for me and, really, for all of the list members and anybody that contacts them regarding the offered position. When somebody takes the time from their day to inquire further about the position being offered ... <OR> When somebody earnestly applies for said position - contacting you via e-mail, sending you their résumé, their history, their contact information and any/all other information that may be deemed appropriate to send... ... could you (Mr. or Ms. Recruiter, HR Manager, EDI professional, etc.) do them the courtesy of at least ACKNOWLEDGING what they have done...? Could you at least have the common & professional courtesy to say "Thank you for your interest in said position, it has been filled" or "thank you for your interest in said position, we will review your submission and contact you later, if needed" or - well - SOMETHING - to let us KNOW what is going on...? Instead of just leaving us out here in a void of not-knowing a thing...? It would be a professional step in your dealings with anybody - everybody - on this list and in other places where you may advertise, offer, submit, place and present the job opportunity (whether temporary, contract or permanent). Sorry to put this out there, but I had to vent. I (for one) am tired of contacting somebody about something they are offering and to be so rudely ignored. Yes, I know that you may receive dozens - hundreds - THOUSANDS - of applications and résumés each and ever time you post a job. But for crying out loud - as a professional courtesy - as a COMMON COURTESY - let the person know - even with a simple form letter - let them know that at least you received their information. It would be appreciated. Thank you. Craig Dunham Bear Necessities Computing EDI Sherpa Author/blogger RetailEDI.com EDITalk.com PS - yes, I realize that this may make me "persona non-grata" in your eyes, but still. It had to be said. 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