Friday, August 03, 2007
The Unemployment Dating Game
(Note from Janice Worthington - As a former 14-year recruiter AND an avid believer in networking I wanted to share the entry below. ...It's from "The Fabulous Life & Times of Pratt Mandango" blog... I've spoken to Pratt. Sometimes we need to laugh at ourselves!)
Looking for a job these days is a lot like Internet dating. You expose yourself to the masses, screaming "I am available," and then spend most of your time fending off the weirdoes sniffing around for their next piece of meat. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against recruiters as a class of people. There are a few good ones out there with nice manners, who are well connected and will treat you nicely. But many of them are either knuckle-draggers looking to club you over the head and drag you to their cave, or sweaty gigolos with fancy titles and bad pick-up lines. If you get caught up with these guys you'll find out they are all compliments and promises in the beginning, but if they can't "place" you by the end of the day, they'll dump you. But, you are still desperate for a job so you chase after them and the cycle continues with more compliments, promises and disappointments. They're the people my parents warned me about.
Not all of the recruiters are that barbaric. Many have flashy titles that imply stature and success that would make any mother proud. I have been approached by Partners, Principals, Directors, Consultants, Seniors, Presidents, Vice Presidents, Managers, Coordinators, Technical Recruiters, Executive Recruiters, Account Managers, Search Partners and Employment Counselors. At least half of these dandies wouldn't pull a chair out for you, let alone spring for the check.
Then we come to the pros. The experienced, sophisticated, "You look Maahvelous" suitors who know how to get to you. They call on the phone, make witty repartee, offer subtle, ego-stroking compliments, practice mild self-deprecating humor, until you are putty in their hands. You say to yourself, "He’s the one. He's the one who will save me from the unemployment line and will help me get back on my feet." They have the connections and pull. They have databases and search tools. They get you in the door too. And, who knows, maybe it is the beginning of something beautiful. Like any relationship, only time and performance will tell.
There were a few I did end up working with who were just like me. They were laid back, casual, sincere in wanting to help but not too pushy. They returned phone calls and kept me informed of their progress. They treated me like a colleague, not a conquest. They got me in a couple of doors too. I kept their contact information if I find myself in this situation again or if I would like to just have company over lunch. I will also refer them to others I know who need somebody - like setting up a blind date.
By the end of this whole exercise, I got very close with a couple of companies, and I did get a good offer that I accepted... through networking.
So, I guess looking for a job is like old fashioned dating too. At the end of the day it's all about finding that special someone. You can hire a professional to do the awkward "Hello, my name is..." or you can be brave and ask a friend do it for you.
posted by Pratt Mandango at 9:52 AM 0 comments ...reprinted with permission..
Looking for a job these days is a lot like Internet dating. You expose yourself to the masses, screaming "I am available," and then spend most of your time fending off the weirdoes sniffing around for their next piece of meat. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against recruiters as a class of people. There are a few good ones out there with nice manners, who are well connected and will treat you nicely. But many of them are either knuckle-draggers looking to club you over the head and drag you to their cave, or sweaty gigolos with fancy titles and bad pick-up lines. If you get caught up with these guys you'll find out they are all compliments and promises in the beginning, but if they can't "place" you by the end of the day, they'll dump you. But, you are still desperate for a job so you chase after them and the cycle continues with more compliments, promises and disappointments. They're the people my parents warned me about.
Not all of the recruiters are that barbaric. Many have flashy titles that imply stature and success that would make any mother proud. I have been approached by Partners, Principals, Directors, Consultants, Seniors, Presidents, Vice Presidents, Managers, Coordinators, Technical Recruiters, Executive Recruiters, Account Managers, Search Partners and Employment Counselors. At least half of these dandies wouldn't pull a chair out for you, let alone spring for the check.
Then we come to the pros. The experienced, sophisticated, "You look Maahvelous" suitors who know how to get to you. They call on the phone, make witty repartee, offer subtle, ego-stroking compliments, practice mild self-deprecating humor, until you are putty in their hands. You say to yourself, "He’s the one. He's the one who will save me from the unemployment line and will help me get back on my feet." They have the connections and pull. They have databases and search tools. They get you in the door too. And, who knows, maybe it is the beginning of something beautiful. Like any relationship, only time and performance will tell.
There were a few I did end up working with who were just like me. They were laid back, casual, sincere in wanting to help but not too pushy. They returned phone calls and kept me informed of their progress. They treated me like a colleague, not a conquest. They got me in a couple of doors too. I kept their contact information if I find myself in this situation again or if I would like to just have company over lunch. I will also refer them to others I know who need somebody - like setting up a blind date.
By the end of this whole exercise, I got very close with a couple of companies, and I did get a good offer that I accepted... through networking.
So, I guess looking for a job is like old fashioned dating too. At the end of the day it's all about finding that special someone. You can hire a professional to do the awkward "Hello, my name is..." or you can be brave and ask a friend do it for you.
posted by Pratt Mandango at 9:52 AM 0 comments ...reprinted with permission..
