Read this article on one of the jobs boards…
It’s nice to see that I’m not alone. Now the question is; What do we do to solve this problem.
Games Recruiters Play – (Written by John Herrit, Posted on Jobcase) https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/33af68d3-7558-572a-805c-6faa5c592980
There are many games that IT Recruiters play. Here is are examples of just a few:
(A) The ‘bait and switch’
I receive many requirements in my email. One common game that IT Recruiters play is what I call ‘bait and switch.’ This game consists of me responding to a specific requirement. A recruiter calls me and says ‘I think you’d be a great fit for this position (calling it Position A) but I think you’d be even a better fit for this other requirement we have for Position B. Usually, Position B and Position A are completely unrelated. Sometimes Position A and Position B are different places or with different customers.
(B) The ‘Fake’ Job
This game is particularly frustrating for any job seeker. It’s when I respond to a requirement expecting that the customer needs someone right away. When the recruiter contacts me, I ask them what is the time table for their customer to fill this position. It’s when I don’t get a straight answer it’s then I realize that the recruiter’s company is working on a PROPOSAL for a contract. The hurtful thing about this game is you may NEVER hear from the recruiter, in reference, to this requirement again or if you do it’ll be sometime down the road (perhaps months)
(C) The Generic Job Description
I find this game to be very annoying because I respond to a particular requirement and I ask the Recruiter for a copy of the job description. I receive a job description that is so vague that it could apply to almost any job.
(D) The Multiple Submissions ‘Trap’
One of the cardinal rules for both Recruiters and Job Seekers is avoiding multiple submissions (e.g., having your resume being submitted to the same position multiple times). The paradox is that I’ll receive a copy of the same requirement for the same job from different Recruiters (often from the same Company). I get contacted by a Recruiter for this particular position and I point out to the them that I’ve received multiple emails regarding the same position. Some will try to tell me that their not the same but as I read the email that they’re describing the same position, at the same customer, often are worded almost identically. I like to point out to the Recruiter that their undermining their own efforts to fill the position. I sudden hear crickets chirping on the other end of the phone.
(E) When was the Last Time You Used this Skill?
This part of the pitfall of just about every job seeker. It’s called the ‘Resume Gap’ where you’re required everything you’ve done for the past zillion years. It turns out that there are time gaps when you’re unemployed or perhaps sick or you’re doing something else with your life. My experience is that Recruiters will zoom in on those ‘gaps’ in my resume. In my case, I was homeless from February 2004 – August 2004 and from February 2005 to August 2005. I would rather not talk about it since it was an incredibly painful time in my life. One of the favorite questions that a Recruiter will ask is ‘When was the last time you used ? ‘ If you don’t answer ‘last week’ then you’re pretty well hosed when it comes to a particular requirement.
(F) You Can Call It Stigma, Discrimination, or Whatever You Wish. It’s Still Means You’re Not Hired!
I’ve been bullied, put down, threatened and been blamed for just about everything under the sun in the workplace. I’ve dealt with stigma or age discrimination or harassment in the workplace. I’ve suffer from major depression and an anxiety disorder (I want to respond with ‘I’m not suffering from mental illness. I enjoy every minute of it!’). I was on a contract at the Coast Guard and I admitted that I suffered from a mental illness. All of a sudden, people thought I would go off on them at any moment. Then there’s the matter of my age (I’ll be 60 next month (06/28)), Experts say that older job seekers should edit out dates out of our resumes. Doing this raises a lot of questions from Recruiters or prospective Employers. Looking for a job seems like an eternal ‘Catch – 22.’
(G) Credit Checks and Security Clearances
I don’t know too many people who haven’t had credit problems or other financial problems in our lives. Yet some employers insist on doing credit checks on a candidate. My response is ‘I’m NOT applying for a car loan or a mortgage so why do you want to look into my credit history!’ We need a job to make money so we can PAY our bills so lets get abolish the financial background check as a prerequisite for employment. Having a security clearance is, for many positions, is essential to get a job in the Federal Government or as a Contractor with the Federal Government. I DID possess an Active Top Secret but don’t have it any more due to no fault of my own. Yet I’ve never had an opportunity to give my side of the story as to what happened.
(H) H 1-B Visas
H 1-B Visa program is designed to bring in high tech workers mainly from China and India. When talking about this problem, I don’t wish to sound like a racist or prejudiced. (My parents taught me to accept people as they are!) I’ve been on contracts where I’ve been the token ‘white boy.’ I get very annoyed when I hear about Companies who say they HAVE to fill positions using H 1-B visa workers because they’re aren’t any qualified Americans. I believe that there are hundreds of thousands of Americans who are more qualified to fill those positions but these Corporations don’t wish to pay them. I found H 1-B visa workers to be very good, don’t get me wrong, but they work for a lot less than a American.
(I) Calling and Not Leaving a Message
For me this is the ultimate faux pas! This is the most aggravating thing in the world. I have other things to do in my life so I can’t be waiting for the phone to ring. A corollary to this that most firms use 1-800 numbers to conceal their identity so I can’t tell if it’s a recruiter or a bill collector. It’s horribly rude and disrespectful!