a recruiters perspective . . .
Discussion
I work as a retained headhunter - I don't find jobs for people and have a small repeat-business client base that I work for within the UK construction industry - civil engineering and construction contractors mainly!
Just wanted to give a "heads up" to applicants, from a recruiters perspective, of good practice (and good manners) when applying for a job via an online network (LinkedIn, Monster etc)
Having just started a campaign via a LinkedIn advert for an MD for one of my clients businesses, I am stunned by the amount of the "generic, I haven't bothered to look at the advert, couldn't be arsed to write a cover letter, but I can press buttons so give us a job" applications that I have received this week.
These are people who are generally 40+ with good education and experience - I just don't get it - I think its rude and a total turn off - remember that your application is your "pitch" to get yourself recognised and sat in front of the employer/recruiter for interview - we are not robots and respond well to a bit of effort.
Spend time reading the job description/advert - tailor (not lie) your letter & CV so that it motivates the recruiter to seriously consider bringing you in for a discussion about the role - we are not stupid and can tell generic correspondence a mile off!
I put it down to laziness - when I was younger I was taught how to make an effective job application (Letter + CV etc) so please please please don't be lazy and ensure that your "pitch" is designed to at least try and make a positive impact on the recruiter - otherwise you wont stand a chance!
Khushy
PS - I have spent a good few hours talking to all the "unsuccessful" applicants in the hope that they will make a better job of their application next time!
Just wanted to give a "heads up" to applicants, from a recruiters perspective, of good practice (and good manners) when applying for a job via an online network (LinkedIn, Monster etc)
Having just started a campaign via a LinkedIn advert for an MD for one of my clients businesses, I am stunned by the amount of the "generic, I haven't bothered to look at the advert, couldn't be arsed to write a cover letter, but I can press buttons so give us a job" applications that I have received this week.
These are people who are generally 40+ with good education and experience - I just don't get it - I think its rude and a total turn off - remember that your application is your "pitch" to get yourself recognised and sat in front of the employer/recruiter for interview - we are not robots and respond well to a bit of effort.
Spend time reading the job description/advert - tailor (not lie) your letter & CV so that it motivates the recruiter to seriously consider bringing you in for a discussion about the role - we are not stupid and can tell generic correspondence a mile off!
I put it down to laziness - when I was younger I was taught how to make an effective job application (Letter + CV etc) so please please please don't be lazy and ensure that your "pitch" is designed to at least try and make a positive impact on the recruiter - otherwise you wont stand a chance!
Khushy
PS - I have spent a good few hours talking to all the "unsuccessful" applicants in the hope that they will make a better job of their application next time!
khushy said:
PS - I have spent a good few hours talking to all the "unsuccessful" applicants in the hope that they will make a better job of their application next time!
You need to post on the "unique" thread. Most of the time, when you spend an hour writing a covering letter to suit the advert and job specification, whoever you send the email or letter to doesn't bother even replying.Its the machine gun approach to getting a job. You are able to get your cv in front of as many people as possible is a short space as time if you don't write a covering letter, and hit every advert that even comes close to your skillset.
Its the method i use. I finish my current job on monday, and i have an interview on tuesday morning, so it sometimes works.
Its the method i use. I finish my current job on monday, and i have an interview on tuesday morning, so it sometimes works.
98elise said:
Its the machine gun approach to getting a job. You are able to get your cv in front of as many people as possible is a short space as time if you don't write a covering letter, and hit every advert that even comes close to your skillset.
Its the method i use. I finish my current job on monday, and i have an interview on tuesday morning, so it sometimes works.
Haha. Nice one and good luck. So you just banged off the CV without bothering to write any sort of covering letter?Its the method i use. I finish my current job on monday, and i have an interview on tuesday morning, so it sometimes works.
Agree on what you say about covering letter & tailoring things - especially at that level.
But equally at that level, having been on both sides (client & candidate), today's candidate is likely to be tomorrow's client - so the thing which irks me most is the lack of feedback/response, and at times frankly shoddy service on both client and candidate sides. Those offering below-expectation service certainly seem to outnumber those offering expected levels of service, let alone "exceptional".
Moreover if I place a vacancy with an agency then that agency needs to realise and understand that they are going to be the initial contact for our company, and how they engage in the process and with candidates needs to reflect on our company.
When an agency sends me CVs for suitable candidates I take the time to go through them and provide feedback for each one. Yes, it takes me time and yes I can often get several tens of CVs (last position advertised for a web developer I had 40 CVs come through, each got attention and comment, and that was in tandem with 2 other vacancies, probably 80 CVs in total within a few days). Going through CVs and interviewing is a small part of of my job - but I just get on with it, but going through CVs and handling candidates is a significant part of a recruiter's job. If they just got on with it too, giving everything and everyone due attention then perhaps there wouldn't be so many gripes about recruiters?
But equally at that level, having been on both sides (client & candidate), today's candidate is likely to be tomorrow's client - so the thing which irks me most is the lack of feedback/response, and at times frankly shoddy service on both client and candidate sides. Those offering below-expectation service certainly seem to outnumber those offering expected levels of service, let alone "exceptional".
Moreover if I place a vacancy with an agency then that agency needs to realise and understand that they are going to be the initial contact for our company, and how they engage in the process and with candidates needs to reflect on our company.
When an agency sends me CVs for suitable candidates I take the time to go through them and provide feedback for each one. Yes, it takes me time and yes I can often get several tens of CVs (last position advertised for a web developer I had 40 CVs come through, each got attention and comment, and that was in tandem with 2 other vacancies, probably 80 CVs in total within a few days). Going through CVs and interviewing is a small part of of my job - but I just get on with it, but going through CVs and handling candidates is a significant part of a recruiter's job. If they just got on with it too, giving everything and everyone due attention then perhaps there wouldn't be so many gripes about recruiters?
If we were talking 15-25k jobs then I could understand, if not agree with, laziness and lack of attention to covering letters, given the competition and the fact that employers probably don't bother reading these in most cases. I could also understand it with people who have fired off batches of dozens of applications a week and seen acknowledgment in barely a few instances.
However, I find it staggering that people applying for professional roles (anything upwards of even 30k PA IMO is a professional role) without effort in tailoring the CV and taking time to write a relevant and impacting covering letter.
However, I find it staggering that people applying for professional roles (anything upwards of even 30k PA IMO is a professional role) without effort in tailoring the CV and taking time to write a relevant and impacting covering letter.
Aren't headhunters supposed to approach suitable candidates, rather than than the other way round?
Anyway, I've received calls from recruiters looking to fill relatively high level roles (certainly professional using an earlier definition). I look at the job spec and if interested send them my cv. How many times do I hear back? Hardly ever if I have been unsuccessful, I have to chase them. So to the OP, it works both ways I'm afraid.
Anyway, I've received calls from recruiters looking to fill relatively high level roles (certainly professional using an earlier definition). I look at the job spec and if interested send them my cv. How many times do I hear back? Hardly ever if I have been unsuccessful, I have to chase them. So to the OP, it works both ways I'm afraid.
t.OP, what is your definition of headhunter?
Sounds like you want applicants to do your job for you.
Anyway, surely you should be going to some effort to search out the ideal candidate for your client rather than waiting for them to come to you. The best ones won't even be looking... Who's lazy?
Sounds like you want applicants to do your job for you.
Anyway, surely you should be going to some effort to search out the ideal candidate for your client rather than waiting for them to come to you. The best ones won't even be looking... Who's lazy?
VX Foxy said:
OP, what is your definition of headhunter?
Sounds like you want applicants to do your job for you.
Anyway, surely you should be going to some effort to search out the ideal candidate for your client rather than waiting for them to come to you. The best ones won't even be looking... Who's lazy?
Every recruitment consultant thinks they're a headhunter these days.Sounds like you want applicants to do your job for you.
Anyway, surely you should be going to some effort to search out the ideal candidate for your client rather than waiting for them to come to you. The best ones won't even be looking... Who's lazy?
VX Foxy said:
OP, what is your definition of headhunter?
Sounds like you want applicants to do your job for you.
Anyway, surely you should be going to some effort to search out the ideal candidate for your client rather than waiting for them to come to you. The best ones won't even be looking... Who's lazy?
to me a HeadHunter (100% of my business) is someone who is retained (paid up front - not paid on a success only basis - the ethics are totally different) by a company to find a SPECIFIC person for their business - I dont get out of bed unless I have been paid upfront - I dont find people jobs and unless people impress me, they dont get to see my client!Sounds like you want applicants to do your job for you.
Anyway, surely you should be going to some effort to search out the ideal candidate for your client rather than waiting for them to come to you. The best ones won't even be looking... Who's lazy?
As well as "searching" specific industries for the right candidate & networking - we also (on rare occasions) utilise some forms of advertising too - in this case LinkedIn - hence the thread about the quality of applications.
In 20+ years of HeadHunting, we have only ever placed 4 adverts - none of which have ever produced the right candidate - but times they are achanging!!
khushy
Edited by khushy on Monday 31st October 11:04
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