Thanks to all the recruitment consultants who email and call me on a regular basis to place candidates. However, when they advertise roles on the many, many job boards something seems to go awry. I’m afraid I’m going to give in to my tendency to make lists now; sorry for that! Here’s my list of bugbears:
- Reposting open positions every day. It messes up my RSS feed and needlessly lengthens the automatic emails from the boards
- When advertising a position as “senior”, “Executive”, “critical” etc. put your phone number in. I suspect most people with the experience for that level of position will want to discuss suitability in a confidential way without sending in a CV. Oh, and while I’m thinking of CVs…
- Put a comprehensive job spec on the job ad. Anyone with more than 10 years of experience will want to customise a CV to bring out relevant experience. It makes the recruiters job easier and gives the hiring manager a better sense of capability.
- Salaries. Maybe I’m naive, but I don’t think too many hiring managers or HR departments specify ranges of 40K or more. “Market rate” is also unhelpful.
- Post a direct email address. Jobserve, cwjobs and the rest seem to either delay or lose emails on a regular basis.
- RETURN CALLS AND EMAILS!!! I know there are a lot of candidates out there, but a “thanks but no thanks” email costs little time.
I’ve hired around 15 people into permanent and contract roles in the last year or so, and have worked with some great recruitment companies. Looking for a position and dealing with some of the muppets out there at least helps me build a list of companies I will avoid in my next role, and recommend friends and colleagues to steer clear of!
Anyway, rant over. Happy New Year everyone!