5 Things to NEVER tell a Recruiter

By Will Thomson- Executive Sales Recruiter- Austin, TX

Last week my wife and I were desperately trying to find something interesting to watch on TV.  Let me tell you, there were not a lot of choices.  Reality TV shows and low budget sitcoms are all we could find.  

As we were flipping though AT&T UVerse and surfing channels, we came across the show "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo".  Now, I have heard of this show, but have refused to watch it in the past.  As I was watching it, all I could think of was "Is this really happening"? I could not turn it off.  My wife was in awe that I was watching it, and truthfully so was I.  

If you are from the US, then you probably know the show well, or have heard of it. If you are not, then here is a link you can view to learn more about it. “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” is about June Thompson (no relation) and her family, Honey Boo Boo, Pumpkin, Chickadee, Chubbs, Sugar Bear and Baby Kaitlyn  who live in rural McIntyre Georgia. In a nutshell, what I learned from this show was that there are truly stupid people in this world. Honey Boo Boo is an overweight, undereducated beauty contestant that is 8 years old and her family is just as dumb.

In the episode I watched, June, AKA “Mama”, explain what a "Multimeal" was to the TV Audience.  A "multimeal" in “Mama’s” words is a meal where you dump all kinds of ingredients into a bowl with no rhyme or reason and then bake  it.  

Wow.  Is this what our world is coming to?  Multimeals?  Anyway- after watching this show, I thought about my profession; recruiting.  Over the years, I have had the great pleasure to have worked with candidates in all professions across multiple industries with top notch companies.  I have heard it all.  I have seen things that have caused one of my eyebrows to rise.  

I want to share some "Honey Boo Boo" stupidity moments I have encountered over the years and tell you 5 things that you should NEVER tell recruiters if you are a candidate.  Let me save you the embarrassment now!
 

1.  NEVER Tell a Recruiter You Won’t Do Something- Let’s face it.  Companies are getting lean.  They are asking more of their employees than they ever have before.  This means there are certain things that you will have to in your position that you may not particularly love. Even CEO’s are doing certain tasks because they are necessary for company survival.  Be flexible!  Be willing to get your hands dirty.  If you aren’t, someone is!
 

2.  NEVER Lie to a Recruiter  This is true on so many levels.  Don’t you know recruiters all know each other and we all talk?  Word spreads like wildfire. Recruiters have long memories.  Don’t tell me you have a college degree when you don’t.  When you do this, you are compromising your integrity and letting me know that you may do something like this in the future.

3.  NEVER Be Late to an Interview   Candidates, please take this to heart.  It is pretty simple.  Recruiters schedule a time with you and the manager to talk.  Be courteous to the recruiter, the manager, and the company.  If you tell a recruiter you will be there, then be there!  My rule of thumb is to never reschedule.  Other Recruiters may have a different philosophy, but I have been burned more than once.  You have lost your window of opportunity when you miss your interview.

4.  NEVER Tell a Recruiter NEVER  Let me explain myself a little on this one.  You are employed.  You are doing well with your company.  Do yourself a favor.  Listen to the recruiter.  Don’t be a jerk. The recruiter may not have a role for you today, but he may have a role for you in the future.  Even better, the recruiter may be able to connect you to someone when you need it most.  We live in the 21st century.  Jobs aren’t forever.  Build your network, don’t burn a bridge and for goodness sake, listen to what they have to say!  Don’t you know we are the most well networked individuals in the universe?

5.  NEVER “No Show” If you have accepted a job with a company, and you have decided to go in another direction, that is okay.  Things happen.  I won’t hold you against the flames.  What is not okay is accepting an offer and then stop communicating.  You laugh, but it happens.  Tell the recruiter why you have accepted another job.  Don’t be a flake.  Man up!!  In this same line of thought, if you accept a job, don’t wait until Friday afternoon at 4:45 to tell them you decided to go in another direction when you are slated to start Monday.  That shows a complete lack of respect.

If you can stay away from these 5 "no brainers", you can keep yourself off a reality TV show.  If you can't, then well your career could be in jeopardy and I think I just found my next career profession as a reality TV producer.  

You can contact Will Thomson and read more content from Will over on the Bulls Eye Recruiting site. 

 

 

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