10 December 2012
Bogan's Rant - With Michael McShane
Never one to disparage the work of others, I usually offer only
support and encouragement for others in the recruitment industry.
This month however has tested the last of my resolve and inspired
this month's Bogan's Rant.
As the market tightens, our job as Recruitment
PROFESSIONALS is naturally becoming more
difficult. There are fewer job vacancies, more candidates out there
on the market. Work is harder to come by, there are people looking
for work with impressive skills who we are unable to help and every
Tom, Dick and Harry believes that the mining industry is the answer
to their current lack of employment, because they 'really likes
rocks'.
That DOES NOTexcuse some of the behaviour that
I have seen recently. Some of which I find not just frustrating or
ill advised, but personally offensive from one human being to
another.
Have a read through some of the correspondence that has been
passing between the circling sharks and their prey this month.
" Hi Recruiter
I hope you will be able to work out
why I am not suitable for this job based on my training and
university degree which are clearly highlighted in my email
signature, on all social media and in previous correspondence I
have had with your company.
Regards
Mining Engineer"
"Hi Candidate
The way our system works is by
finding key words, which is why your CV was picked out of tens of
thousands on our database. Therefore I think it's unfair to judge
us on our ability as recruiters based on an email that has been
sent out. As a comparison, if I was to judge your ability as a
Mining Engineer based on your sarcastic & juvenile email, I
guarantee we would not work with you at all.
Regards
Recruiter"
"Dear Mining
Company
All we recruit for day in day
out are estimator appointments within the
mining sector meaning we are very specialist and have access
to candidates other agencies don't.
I have attached a CV
that I am currently representing on interview. He has over 5 years
experience in underground gold. They are interviewing through
myself for a mine geologist role so thought they would be of
interest.
Regards
Recruiter"
"Dear Recruiter
Although your email is titled "U/G
Mine Geologist" I have no idea what you are talking about or how
"Estimator appointments" relate to mine geology …
I find the blanket email approach to
be both unprofessional and it demonstrates a lack of market
knowledge, please take me off your mailing list and delete my
details from your files.
Regards,
Mining Company"
The common theme among these messages is growing sense of anger
and hostility between Mining Professionals and a number of
Recruitment "Professionals".
Before you accuse me of running naked through my glass house,
let me say this is no Soap Box, school yard, 'I'm better than you'
attack. I'm not a politician. Do we do the right thing every damn
time? Probably not. We're not magic. But we certainly try.
To the loud, short sighted, aggressive "professionals"
in the industry who have lost their way all I can say is
this: This is somebody's life you are playing with. Not just the
title on their CV or an update on their LinkedIn profile. This is
how they put food on the table, it's their time away from their
family and a massive source of their self esteem.
To our valued candidates: Please be careful
what you are doing with your personal information. There are some
lost souls out in this world and aggressively un-professional
recruiters, who are looking to farm you out to all and sundry
(without telling you) as they have already sold their Grandma!
IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT that you are not being treated with
respect. Share your story, talk it through with your colleagues.
You may be surprised to hear their stories too.
To our valued clients: Don't associate with
these recruitment clowns unless you are running a circus.
Simple.