Comments on: Recruiters, Do You Secretly Envy The Millionaire Matchmaker?

By: Susan Duva

Susan Duva — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:51:33 +0000

I haven’t seen the TV show but I think the candid and blunt advise given to the Matchmakers clients is most likely good for TV ratings and not a real business tool. However, as an experienced Recruiter we have all faced this dilemma. I agree with Jeanne, we must politely advice the client of realistic expectations. If we accept the assignment without realistic expectations we end up with a fall off and have to do it all over again and again.

By: Jeanne Miller; San Diego

Jeanne Miller; San Diego — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:51:38 +0000

I think it is our responsibility as experts to counsel a client on their expectations. Frank, candid, yet ALWAYS professional advise/feedback is one of the most important aspects of our service.

If you speak the truth out of a genuine desire to help your client it can make even sensitive topics easier to approach. Understand they may not change (for various reasons); but my bet is if handled correctly, they will respect you for being straight with them and you will gain their respect.

By: Prorecruiter for high end candidates

Prorecruiter for high end candidates — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:39:23 +0000

I’ve been doing this long enough to know to run from the difficult clients. If the client doesn’t get it and won’t listen to you FIRE THEM. If they don’t jump on your candidates when you advise them to do so FIRE THEM. If they can’t pay the required salaries for the talent then they probably can’t pay your fees either. Let some newbie knuckle head recruiter waste their time searching for the impossible. Then the client can get flooded with resumes that match only by words. Now the client’s time is wasted sorting through nothing but garbage. May be they need that to see the value in a seasoned recruiter that knows the market and skill set. If you don’t have any clients then by all means take what you can get but an experienced recruiter knows to focus on viable business; business that can close. What so many recruiters forget is that we offer a service that you can’t put a price tag on. We get the people in the seats and without that the company could not function, projects would not complete and money would be lost.

By: Michael Long

Michael Long — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:35:46 +0000

This has and will continue to be a dilemma in the search business. My approach has always been to hear the client out first and then make suggestions. Those suggestions should be based on market insight. If the client doesn’t like your response… well, perhaps you need to move on. It’s a tough conversation to have, but it must be done.

One thing that must be considered in these less-than-favorable economic times, is that our reputations will follow us when things go back to normal. You can accept a bad search now, but if you do, you run the risk of hurting your reputation in the long run.

Dating and recruiting are so similar!

Thanks for the post!

By: RecruitStar

RecruitStar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:32:24 +0000

Great article.

I watched the show last week and was literally jealous of her ability to be so candid with clients. I wish as recruiters we could be as blunt.

Thinking about a career change. I wonder how much matchmakers make? LOL