Less can add so much more... Time to put some thought into the 'Who and Why'.

July has been a very busy and interesting month and I am talking to more and more Advisers / Planners / Executives who are looking to change roles or have had that change enforced on them.

When I reflect on the month, something that has become very apparent is the number of other Recruitment Firms who are also engaging with some of these candidates and the width of 'best advice' and seemingly lack of proper care that is being given to some Candidates.

This week I have had a conversation with someone who was literally exhausted after spending all day, on call after call with different Recruiters who had targeted him as soon as he changed his 'Linked In 'profile.. he felt he was being pulled in all directions. He had been given some really poor advice given his circumstances, had incredible promises made to him to secure his business and had even had his CV sent out without permission, to a wholly inappropriate firm.

There are no Exam entry level requirements to become a Recruiter, no true Badge of Honour that the hard yards have been put in to reach an acceptable level of both Industry knowledge or Customer Service. No Regulative Body to lay out agreed Principles or Behaviour expectations for a group of people incredibly vulnerable.

Sometimes I think it’s no surprise why people move around so much, almost falling into a role thanks to an eloquent sales pitch from a Recruiter who is seeing them as a transaction rather than the individual in real need of support and appropriate guidance.

If what they tell you looks and sounds too good … it probably is !! The promise of Guaranteed Leads is the hot favourite at the moment ...

How many Candidates have been promised something by a Recruiter only to find that it was never a likely outcome ! I learnt the hard way.

How many have been told by a Recruiter that the hiring firm think they are by far the best candidate and can ‘fast track’ the normal process only for it to all take an absolute age once they were 'locked' into the system.

How many have had their CVs shared with multiple firms without even giving their consent?

How many have been pushed towards the Recruiters chosen firm rather than their own?

My advice to anyone looking for a role is that you do not need five or six Recruitment firms 'working with you'... Have some choice if you need to but limit it to someone you can really trust … this is a big decision in your life.

Do your own due diligence on the Recruiter and when you do choose someone, stop for a moment to consider ...

What was that first conversation like ?

How long did they allow you for the call?

Did they really want to get to know You, Your family and Your background ?

Did they discuss Your drivers, Your aspirations, and what truly motivates You ?

How quickly did they ask about salary or transferrable funds under management ?

Who did most of the speaking … Should be You !

Did you test them about their understanding of You at the end of the call ... ( Try it and see who was listening and who was working out fees in their head or not even bothering to take proper notes)

Getting the next role right is so incredibly important ... Entrusting that decision and counting on Genuine support equally so ... You should enjoy a close business relationship with your Recruiter who is as keen as you are to find that all important and exciting new role for you.

— ?? #OfferingHelp: Knowing about you