Why People Hate Corporate Recruiters

By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

Some of you may think I’m sucking up. Some of you may cheer. Whichever camp you are in corporate recruiters have a bad rap in too many organizations and with too many people.

If you are a potential employee of a firm, corporate recruiters are symbolized by the “evil” and “incompetent” recruiter who just won’t let you interview for the job you want and have applied for.

If you are a hiring manager, recruiting is symbolized by that same person who doesn’t deliver enough resumes for your insatiable quest for every person in the Western hemisphere who is qualified to do the job you need to be filled.

No matter where you are in a firm, HR often is perceived as the corporate nag complete with gender stereotypes. After all, many women have gravitated to human resources and there is a sort of embedded memory of mothers or wives who tell the men to do things.

“Pick up your (fill in the blank) and put it in the hamper.”

“When will you be home? I expect you home by 10:00.”

“When will I get feedback on the person you interviewed last Tuesday?” (That piece of crap?)

“I’ve submitted 12 resumes to you for the positions you say are urgent. When will I get feedback” (Oh those)?

“We have a new initiative and your input is important. When can I get a two-hour block of your time (Somewhere between never and when hell freezes…