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Sure signs of a rookie HR or Internal recruiter... By Barbara Goldman

Questions to never ask a candidate

1. Why didn't you answer my ad?

The answer: too busy working

2. Why did you use a recruiter?

The answer: I didn't USE a recruiter. I was happy in my job, the recruiter called me.

3. Why are you leaving xyz company?

The answer: They hang me by my thumbs at night. I hate long thumbs. Didn't you call me? I'm leaving because the recruiter you are using called me. I'm a passive candidate.

4. Why didn't you check our website?

The answer: I'm too busy working to look for jobs. Are you angry about using this recruiter? Are you going to hold it against me?

5. Did you know that if you would have contacted us on your own, we could give you a 10K sign on bonus?

The answer: Then let's start over, I'll go back to the womb, and start over. Or, on second thought, why am I being punished because I'm interviewing with you? YOUR recruiter called me.

The answer to all of these questions is really just this:

Why would you ask me something so unsophisticated? Don't you know what the recruiter did to bring me to the table with you? This line of questioning is agressive, and pointless. Is this the same company that the recruiter told me about? I'm not so sure I want to be here. Why did I take off work for this?

One quick story that prompted this blog:

One of our clients, who has had a postion opened for more than six months, just started working with us. We immediately have someone to fill the job. Well, before they will interview the candidate, HR sent a questionairre that had to be filled out. Was it an applicatoin? NO. It was an essay type of assignment. The candidate had to write about WHY he wanted to interview for the position. I guess the company is shocked that anyone would want to join them.

HUH?

You call this recruiting? The essay was just another example of ignorance. How is a candidate supposed to know that he wants the job before the interview?

Just remember, when you work with a headhunter, we are hunting heads. For you. We are your salesman. We find the people that aren't looking for a job.

It's always a candidate's market when you have to use a recruiter. Don't insult the process with ignorance.

Oh, and not giving bonuses to recruited candidates? Someone needs to challenge that in court. Could it be construed that the candidate who is denied a bonus because you worked with us is paying part of his own fee? I think so. Of course, that's another subject, another time.

Happy Recruiting!

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