DIY Disasters

I’m happy to admit I am useless at DIY. But I do know what good looks like.

Although we’re moving back to the UK next month, living in Egypt has been different. Because in Cairo it appears that it’s normal to install the electric meters after the building has been constructed. And it’s driven by money because until the meter is installed, you only pay a nominal fixed fee.

But when it comes to DIY it turns out that my landlord and I have very different opinions. Just to clarify. If I am paying a professional I expect perfection. I need to think to myself “how do they do this so well” and I always have this thought when it comes to wallpapering. Joins which are seamless and edges which are sharp! That’s the standard I expect from a professional.

This door is a prime example of poor workmanship. The carpenter turned up with a brand new door which was too big for the door frame. That’s ok! Because he needs to fit it. A short while later I saw them holding up the door where I could clearly see light around two sides of the door. WTF!?! I never expected them to do what they did next but they trimmed the offcuts and glued it back onto the door. These pieces of wood are about 8mm thick. So it’s quite a big error. Here’s the picture just look for the lines around the edges -

And they’ve done it again on another door.

Now as I say my DIY skills are useless. But it’s not my job. I don’t have the skills or experience and I don’t profess to be a carpenter. Nor do I have any interest in DIY.

The link to recruitment

Many hiring managers have the same opinion on recruitment. They don’t want to do it themselves but they question why isn’t this perfect?

And it generally boils down to these issues:

1. The wrong people applying.
2. Being told to up the salary.
3. Lack of engagement in the process.?
4. Finding it hard to get hold of people.
5. People not listening when you do get hold of them.
6. Recruiters telling hiring managers what they should do in their business. And the decisions that they should take.
7. Arguments concerning which agency is representing a candidate.
8. Recruiters being quick to raise their invoice.
9. People leaving within 6 months of joining.

But like trade people. Not all recruiters are the same.

Because you need to vet, select and scrutinise your choice of partner. And if you are driving the question down the price route or asking for an immediate discount then I’m sorry to be blunt but you are adding to the problem. Actually you are probably attracting the below average recruiters who are happy to “do a discount”.

My final thoughts

Some jobs are best left to the professionals. They do it quicker, quite often cheaper and get a better result. And when you are in ore of their skills you know you have an excellent professional.

Recruitment is similar to DIY. You need to vet, screen, talk, listen, engage and review the recommendations on their business. I would always test how receptive they are to feedback. Because that’s an indication to me of how likely they are to rectify any mistakes which may occur. Or adapt to the market in which they are operating which is extremely fluid at present.

But if this person does not deliver on your expectations. Exit the relationship and move on! And if they’re on the PSL then you’ll need to challenge and give feedback to HR or your talent acquisition team. Because if you wouldn’t put up with substandard in your home, why would you put up with it in your work?

Whilst you’re here I’ve got a really tiny favour to ask.

Can you share my contact details with just one finance professional in your network?

Because as a young business owner people enjoy their experience with Jammy Recruitment (50 consecutive five star reviews on Trust Pilot). But I’m struggling to win new business. And it would be such a shame that your friends continue to work with sub-standard and woeful providers who don’t have such excellent Trust Pilot feedback.

Stay lucky. Stay Jammy.

Talk next week. And thank you for reading.

David

01905 419410

www.jammyrecruitment.com