Who Won't the Executive Recruiter Return My Call?

Disclaimer #1: Only Represent Candidates I Know Personally or by Referral – My clients expect me to personally vouch for each and every candidate, and I can’t do that with people I don’t know and have never met. No disrespect intended!

Disclaimer #2: I’m Not Here to Judge, That’s God’s Job – My only purpose is to provide career guidance based on my many years of experience. Hopefully it helps a few people.?

Disclaimer #3: Why I Love America – We can agree to disagree and still be friends! I welcome all opinions and viewpoints provided they are professional and respectful. Trolls will be deleted and blocked. This is not Twitter.?

Executive Recruiting Rule Number One – “Executive Recruiters get people for jobs…NOT jobs for people.” As the Owner of an executive recruiting firm, I don’t get a salary or vacation or PTO or paid health insurance. If I don’t get people placed…I don’t eat.??

Executive Recruiting Rule Number Two – “The wrong time to meet an Executive Recruiter is when you are unemployed.”?Again, Executive Recruiters focus on filling their open roles, and it’s much easier to get a job when you are gainfully employed. If you don’t have one or two solid relationships with a top Recruiter, ping your professional network for referrals.?

"Why won't the Executive Recruiter return my call?" is a question I hear on a regular basis. Personally, I return every single call, text and email, even if my response is, "No thank you" or, "Don't believe I can add value for you." I return every message because my Dad taught me to treat people with courtesy, kindness and respect. To my mind, ghosting candidates is unprofessional. So why don't those other Executive Recruiters return your call?

Executive Recruiters get People for Jobs, NOT Jobs for People - Most people stick their head in the sand until they are terminated or laid off, then expect the Recruiter to drop everything and fix their employment crisis. You are laughing, but I get this every single day. Unsolicited resume (cold calls) from people I don't know demanding that I assist with their job search. I only work by referral, given that my reputation is on the line with every resume I submit to a client. And I can't personally vouch for someone I don't know and have never met.

The Wrong Time to Meet a Recruiter is When You are Unemployed - Relationships trump transactions. Translation: Create long-term relationships with one or two industry Recruiters. Over the years I have been on the receiving end of some pretty nasty candidate emails. A couple even questioned my faith in God, "You are not a Christian! If you were a Christian you would get me a job." Actually, my belief in Jesus Christ makes me a Christian, and my faith is between me and God...not me and you. Recently someone asked me "What would Jesus do?" Well, the Bible states, "Whatever you did for the least of my Brothers...you did for Me." I help as many people as I can.

Your Requirements are Unreasonable - This is the top reason most Executive Recruiters won't represent a particular candidate. They can look at a resume and tell you in 30 seconds if the candidate is being reasonable with regards to title and compensation. For instance, let's say market rate for a Director is $125,000 and the candidate is making $150,000. But they are looking for a VP role at $200,000. It's better for the candidate to work their professional network for leads since hiring companies are not going to pay $200,000 for a $125,000 employee. Better for the Recruiter to say, "That is not something I can do and I don't want to waste your valuable time."

Executive Recruiting is a "For Profit" Business - As the Owner of an Executive Recruiting business, I don’t get a salary or bonus or stock options. No vacation, sick pay or PTO.?My health insurance is $1,200 a month. I'm focused on what I CAN do...not what I can't do. Like Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and the President, I have 24 hours in my day. It’s not fair to my family, my clients, or the other candidates that require my assistance to go off on fishing expeditions with every candidate that cold calls me. Do I have compassion for their situation? Absolutely! But I'm far better off to stay laser focused on those I can actually help.