Post-9/11 Recruiting

Letter to the Editor, We Must Keep Doors Open For Those Out of Work

Letter to the Editor, Trying to Help By Doing What We Know Best

Letter to the Editor, following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001

Can you keep a secret?

Still Time to Take Action

KO'ing Kooky Candidates

Knowing When to Say 'No'

 Do we ever turn down recruiting assignments? You bet. In practice, we turn down more searches than we accept. Why? Well, often the position a client wants us to fill is out of our area of expertise, and we refer them to other recruiters.
  Another reason is because we have a significant difference of opinion with what the client says it needs and what we believe is required in the position (which means no one will be happy with the outcome).
  Sometimes we are aware that the firm is for sale but the client doesn't want to share this with the candidate.
  At times, it's because we've worked with the client in the past, and our experience indicates that it is just too difficult to please.
  And on a lighter note, I'd like to present my Top 10 reasons for turning down recruiting assignments (which, sad to say, are right out of my experience):
  10. The president of the client company is named John Jingleheimerschmitt. The executive vice president is Jacob Jingleheimerschmitt. The senior vice president - Larry Jingleheimerschmitt. Staff Vice President, Daryl Jingleheimerschmitt. They're never going to be happy with anyone not named Jingleheimerschmitt.
  9. Headquarters is in New York. Branch offices are in France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Russia. It is only interested in candidates who can speak French, Italian, Spanish, German or Russian.
  8. The job responsibilities include management of accounting, administration, human resources and sales. The non-negotiable salary range is $17,500 to $17,750.
  7. The position requires weekly travel to branch offices in New York, Orlando, Atlanta and Seattle. Air fares are too expensive, so all travel must be made by Greyhound.
  6. The best part of benefits and compensation package are the fam trips to Dollywood and Branson.
  5. The client company is in Puddle Jump, Mont., and it will consider only local candidates.
  4. All employees must wear matching polyester jumpsuits.
  3. The company is in a state of disaster, and there is no incumbent willing to take the blame.
  2. The "boys club" in control is looking for a sweet young filly to help head off the bureaucrats at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
  And the No. 1 reason we might turn down a recruiting assignment. Two words. Commission caps.

Karen Rothe Osband is the founder and owner of SYSTEMETHODS, a travel industry consulting and executive search firm located in Littleton, CO. She can be reached at (303) 948-8084 or (877) 802-5584,
and email KROsband@SYSTEMETHODS.com.

Focus on Recruiting, Part Two

Defending Recruiting, Part One

Hiring: Seeing the Potential

Filling a Job: Experience Counts