That Recruiter May Not Be Helping YOU...

A lot of people are quitting and changing jobs right now. This huge trend even has a name: 'The Great Resignation.' In my opinion, however, that 'sound-bite label' is inaccurate, too simplistic and not at all helpful for those caught in this job tsunami.

PLEASE NOTE: This article may make certain people really mad. If you're one of 'em, then go ahead and be mad. Apparently you see things differently than I do. My goal is to help people who really need some help. I do it for free. So we can agree to disagree. Fair enough?

TWO GROUPS of people are being impacted by this trend.

FIRST, many people are becoming very frustrated (like 'job-hoppers' and businesses that need good people).

SECOND, certain other people are making a LOT of money from it (like recruiters, hiring 'experts' and those who charge for their often bad advice).

A lot of the people who are doing really well right now are causing other people to NOT do so well. Certain people make money whether they really help people - or intentionally harm them.

In medicine, that's called 'malpractice.' In business, it's often called 'recruiting.'

Before we go further, here are FIVE 'observations' about the American workplace right now.

1. Businesses need good people who seem to be harder than ever to find and keep. Of course, this is nothing new. It's a bit more prevalent now, but it's been happening for the last ~20 years.
2. 'Compensation inflation' is out of control and happening everywhere. Whatever a job paid before, it just ain't enough now. Wages, salaries, benefits and other employer costs are sky-rocketing as a result of the massive turnover. And those costs are being passed along to you, and everyone else, in the form of business turmoil and inflation.
3. Switching jobs for more money can be good, for awhile. Until you discover that your new job is just as crappy, toxic, emotionally draining, ill-fitting and unfulfilling as that job you left. Bad bosses and work environments are not fixed by money. Money is certainly nice, and we can get mighty hungry without it. But money is not a long-term motivator.
4. When an employee switches to another job for more money, they may switch jobs when another employer / job comes along that pays them more money - again. Money is not an effective retention tool for someone in a crappy, toxic job or work environent.
5. Many bosses are just as frustrated as the people who are switching jobs willy-nilly around them. Those bosses are in the wrong job, too, but they're afraid to admit it. Until another job comes along - for more money. Then, they'll be gone mucho pronto, just like the employees who have been leaving. In droves. 'Money-based loyalty' tends to be less than reliable. And you can't buy trust.

Think about it. Recruiters make money when they place a candidate in a job - whether it's the right job for the person, or whether it's the right person for the employer. When recruiters 'win', they make money and when they (and their clients) 'lose' - they also make money. Finding and putting people in open positions is what recruiters do and how they get paid.

And here's a dirty little secret: many recruiting firms have high turnover.

Don't get me wrong. Not every recruiter is bad. It's just the 90% of 'em that make the other 10% look bad...

Recruiters have a lot in common with weather forecasters. The forecaster says that there's a 50% chance of precipitation. So if there is or isn't precipitation, it's your fault for not being prepared. But they get paid, right or wrong, no matter what the weather is, or how it impacts you. Have you ever heard of a weather forecaster who was fired for a wrong forecast?

Weather and people are pesky and mercurial things. But for some reason, people still believe recruiters and weather forecasters. Both continue to be paid for what they do. I'm highly skeptical of both, based on my personal experience and what really happens in the world.

For example, I saw the big clouds up ahead but couldn't tell if it was rain, snow, a tornado or something else. The forecast wasn't clear and I was in the middle of nowhere - so I kept driving. It was a BIG hailstorm. Which made a few dents in my vehicle that were ugly and expensive to repair. People who have switched jobs for the wrong reason often get some 'dents', too.

The difference between bad weather and bad jobs is that you can avoid bad jobs. Bad weather, not so much...

Here is my main point, which I hope every unemployed, under-employed, dissatisfied or job-hopping person will consider. YOU work for 'YOU, Inc.' NO ONE cares about YOU more than you do. Not a hiring manager, boss, co-worker - or any recruiter. So do what is right - truly right - for YOU.

Here's a FREE tool that can help you do that. You don't have to subscribe or pay anything for it. No seminars, books to buy, networks to join or special offers. It's FREE.

Next time, before you quit or switch jobs based on money or the tempting opportunities of a recruiter, 'expert' or hiring manager, try Jobtimize, a FREE resource that can help you identify, find and land the job that is right for YOU.

Here's what that 'right job' looks like. The 'right job' for YOU: is one for which you are well-suited and qualified; that you can perform with excellence (which may take some time and training); satisfying and fulfilling; and which you will stick with for the long-term. I don't see a down-side in a job like that.

Please try this. Now. BEFORE you switch jobs. No matter what the recruiter or hiring manager tells you or how much money they dangle in front of you. YOU are the boss of YOUR future.

If you're an employer who finds it difficult to find and hire good people, there's also great resource for you: TalentSorter. Seriously, it doesn't have to be hard or expensive to hire the right people for your jobs.

As always, this advice is free and comes with my exclusive 'No Problem Guarantee." If you don't like or agree with it, 'no problem'...

Russ Minary specialized in helping businesses with hiring, talent consulting and organizational effectiveness before retiring.?Visit his website at OnPurpose Enterprises, read his many LinkedIn articles or contact him directly for more information.