What's wrong with this scene? Well, first of all, this call seems a little indiscriminate, don't you think? Sweet little Una just happened to be the lucky (or unlucky) one to pick up the phone. Not necessarily a bad thing, if the recruiter were interested in getting to know Una and what she is up to/interested in. However, Anita was only intent on filling the particular job that she had on her desk at the moment. Again, not necessarily a bad thing, because this is always a headhunter's main motivation. But a headhunter's interaction with a potential candidate reveals volumes about how they work. A WO/WI factor greater than one (more words going out than in), at least in the beginning, can be a sign of greater disregard to come. Anita is a Round-Hole Filler, so intent on filling her current opening that she doesn't even try to involve herself with the interests, desires, and needs of her potential "candidate." She would like to fit anyone into her round hole, no matter how square a candidate might be, simply to make the placement and get her fee. Anita is probably someone to avoid unless, of course, the particular position she's hawking at that moment interests you. One thing you can count on: if that position doesn't interest you, you will probably hear about many more that don't interest you. Anita is not someone you would call a "career partner." She is more of an "any job quickie." than one. Although recruiters may initially focus on and espouse the merits of a particular opportunity, you need to get a quick sense of whether or not your interests are being probed-or are they just trying to fill a hole. Whether you're a match for that particular position or not, good recruiters always want to build their database with potential future candidates. Therefore, they want to know what would really turn you on.
When you connect with a good recruiter who gets into your interests and desires and, over time, tells you about positions that fit those interests and desires, stick with 'em. But don't expect that headhunter to have immediate opportunities that fit-unless you want your corners rounded to fit a hole. Finding the perfect position may take some time, especially if you're quite specific about what you want. Keep in mind that greater flexibility on your part leads to your recruiter calling you with more possibilities. A good rule of thumb: two calls from a recruiter to whom you've spilled your super-specific guts with positions that don't fit, move on to someone who listens. However, if you bare your soul to a recruiter who doesn't call back for a while, if ever, either 1) they listened well and can't help you, or 2) they are simply still looking for a position that fits. In either case, there is less wasted time on your part. Wouldn't you want your recruiter to spend time trying to find opportunities for you rather than easing your insecurities? It won't make anything happen faster to be on the phone telling you that they don't have anything for you. If you haven't been called, assume there is nothing yet to call you about.
Although a recruiter is paid by her client companies, a good search professional operates with two customers in mind: the company and the candidate. You might call the company the "client" and the candidate the "customer." Just know that a good recruiter understands that to really forward things in this life-the client's, the candidate's, the recruiter's - it's best that everyone be pleased with a placement. Candidates who have had their edges shaved to fit particular round holes eventually become dissatisfied, even if they work out relatively well in the short run. This means they have to move to other jobs, and the company must find other people to fill their positions. Although there is a misperception that this is the ideal scenario on the part of the headhunter (the "churn" factor), someone who operates on this Ride-'em-in/Ride-'em-out philosophy will not succeed for long. A recruiter's reputation among clients and candidates is determined by each party's satisfaction with a placement. Real success is built upon this kind of reputation. You want to "partner" with such a recruiter.
