Games Recruiters Play
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
I love all the points you bring up about recruiters and the “political correctness” HR departments. They can’t say no because...They just steer you in another direction. In my case I’m 61 and over qualified. No worries I have my means of self support.!
These recruiters play with the people knowing that we are in need of a job and 99.9% after you send a messae never replies to you they don't even give a feedback like for instance and say you are f_ _ k _ d. That would be fine for us but nothing.So we don't reaaly care what we should do here is form a group to help others get a job that would be great
I think the age discrimination thing is more prevalent than race or gender discrimination HANDS DOWN! Should be easy to prove because if you are older than the average applicant, you're 60 they're 25, and they hire that person, then that's discrimination. Then they would say well this 25 y/o is more qualified. Well not when you have 25 years experience in that field. Age discrimination.
John - I've been an IT Recruiter for a number of years. Most of what you sited are common practice among sub to the subprime agencies or offshore makeshift recruitment factories that seem to be particularity popular in India. My advise is to not waste cycles jumping through hoops for these guys. You'll be one of 100s the submit to openings if you get submitted at all. Often their looking to build a database of resumes and sell the data. As far as your health condition, I honestly would suggest not mentioning it. Unless your condition prohibits you from performing duties as described in the job description, there's no need to mention it. Hopefully this helps separate fact from fiction. - KD
On the security clearance, it used to be that when you left a position, the security clearance was cancelled. So, even though I have held a Top Secret/SCI clearance for multiple positions, when I left the National Guard, that clearance was cancelled because I no longer needed access to those materials. So I can look for jobs all day and even though I have experience in those areas, I am not eligible because of the way the Federal Government handles clearances. I don't blame the government. I think it is wise to deactivate a clearance when a person leaves the position. I think the employers should cut us some slack when it comes to those who have held a clearance but have left the previous position requiring it.
Great post and responses below. One of the things you mentioned was ‘Fake’ job. I’m of a belief that there are ‘engines’ out there (webcrawlers and the like) that scrape data for DB’s. I betcha there’s a massive set DB’s out there working on OUR DATA.
It sucks to have to plaster all that personal information all around the internet to fetch a contract. I can’t imagine for one second ‘they’ aren’t using that data for other means.
The worst trap is when you find a job listing you think is promising and you have get thru Uber ads. Then you have to answer a bunch of questions such as "do you smoke, are you behind in your morgage" and so forth. By the time you get to the jobs what you saw previously is not even there. That earning money thru answering questionnaires is also another trap. You have to buy something in order to get paid.
Is it permanent or removeable
Hi John Herritt long time no see. How are you? Hope all is well... Great post by the way.
Well said.... Used to b u could quit one job and walk across the street to the next...I would rather walk in and fill out an application any day, all day then to try to find one on line....