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Permalink Reply by pam claughton on August 25, 2008 at 6:11pm

Frank,

I'm not familiar with this company, so my two cents would be for you to seriously consider working for an agency first, before investing money in a business that may not be right. It takes a while to really learn recruiting and to see if it's something you even like. It's a very unusual job, people either love it or don't, I've found. The ones who love it do well. It's also a unique sales job in that it's really a double sale...what other 'product' can decide at the last minute that it doesn't want to be sold? :)

If you and even your wife both work for an agency (ideally different ones) you'll have the benefit of training, and learning from everyone around you as all kinds of crazy scenarios come up in this job, plus you'll have the benefit of learning on someone else's dime, while at least getting a draw or base salary.

~Pam

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Permalink Reply by Sally Raade on August 25, 2008 at 6:18pm

I agree with Pam! Everyone thinks it's so easy and it looks like a glam job...there's more to the behind the scene before anything happens!

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Permalink Reply by Frank Lazcos on August 25, 2008 at 6:23pm

Thank you Pam, I really understand what you are telling me. However, would'nt it be hard to work for a company if I have no experience in this field? It is a lot better for me to get paid than to pay 50K+ to learn. Is it possible to start with no experience?

pam claughton said:

Frank,

I'm not familiar with this company, so my two cents would be for you to seriously consider working for an agency first, before investing money in a business that may not be right. It takes a while to really learn recruiting and to see if it's something you even like. It's a very unusual job, people either love it or don't, I've found. The ones who love it do well. It's also a unique sales job in that it's really a double sale...what other 'product' can decide at the last minute that it doesn't want to be sold? :)

If you and even your wife both work for an agency (ideally different ones) you'll have the benefit of training, and learning from everyone around you as all kinds of crazy scenarios come up in this job, plus you'll have the benefit of learning on someone else's dime, while at least getting a draw or base salary.

~Pam

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Permalink Reply by pam claughton on August 25, 2008 at 7:19pm

Most recruiting companies love to hire new recruiters who have sales experience or who are determined to do sales and recruiting. Attitude is everything. You really learn this job by listening to all those around you and brainstorming with them on what to do in certain scenarios...it's more than just finding a resume that looks good. :)

Recruiting is one of the highest turnover businesses. You really won't know if it's for you until you try. So, my main point for you is why risk a dime? Go with a company and benefit from their training. You'll make a ton more money that way as well because you'll be able to leverage the efforts of your colleagues, sending your people on their job orders and sending their people on yours.

Plus, if you start out on your own, what do you have to offer a new client? Part of the way you get new business, job orders, is by selling your track record of success as a recruiter.

Training means more than a few months with a franchise owner learning the basics. The first two years in an agency is all learning. I remember at the six month mark I was feeling all cocky because I was billing well. By the end of that year I realized how very little I knew at the six month mark!

Some people can do this on their own without working at an agency. It's not impossible, but you will have to be that much more driven and disciplined and your learning curve will be much more steep. This is not an easy job.

Good luck though, with whatever you decide to do.

Pam

Frank Lazcos said:

Thank you Pam, I really understand what you are telling me. However, would'nt it be hard to work for a company if I have no experience in this field? It is a lot better for me to get paid than to pay 50K+ to learn. Is it possible to start with no experience?

pam claughton said:

Frank,

I'm not familiar with this company, so my two cents would be for you to seriously consider working for an agency first, before investing money in a business that may not be right. It takes a while to really learn recruiting and to see if it's something you even like. It's a very unusual job, people either love it or don't, I've found. The ones who love it do well. It's also a unique sales job in that it's really a double sale...what other 'product' can decide at the last minute that it doesn't want to be sold? :)

If you and even your wife both work for an agency (ideally different ones) you'll have the benefit of training, and learning from everyone around you as all kinds of crazy scenarios come up in this job, plus you'll have the benefit of learning on someone else's dime, while at least getting a draw or base salary.

~Pam

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Permalink Reply by pam claughton on August 25, 2008 at 8:03pm

Frank,

Just another quick note of concern. I took a look at Heath Career Agents and what I read raised some major red flags. Do what you will of course...but wanted to let you know of my concerns. I've been recruiting for a long time, over 14 years now and I love this industry and there's definitely plenty of room for more good recruiters. But the key is to align yourself with the right organization, one that will train you well rather than give you a bad experience that turns you off completely.

Here are my concerns. First of all, the way they sell this oportunity, by mentioning that the average healthcare recruiter makes over 200k. That implies that you too, could easily make that kind of money. Whenever I talk to new potential recruiters I never dazzle them with money numbers. You'll make what you deserve, frankly. I tell them that they likely won't make much at all the first year, and they should plan for that. Plan to have 6-12 months salary stashed away or if you go to an agency, set yourself up with some savings as well and keep your expenses low so you live off whatever amount your draw is and get to the commission money soon.

This company gives you less than a week of onsite face-to face training.

They also encourage you as an 'owner' to bring in sales consultants under you. That sounds marvelous in theory, but in execution it can be a disaster for you, unless you have solid clients that are responsive and sales consultants/recruiters who are effective in getting and closing great candidates on your jobs. If you're working out of your house and have never recruited, how are you going to work with these sales consultants who also have little to no experience? It feels a bit MLMish on behalf of the company frankly, as I suspect they regularly are bringing in new 'owners' and 'sales consultants' who are paying them for the privelege.

After reviewing their business 'model', I then did a google search adding in the word 'scam' and unfortunately there's quite a bit of information out there on people who had bad experiences with this company and also with their sister company which is research related.

There may be people doing well with this company, but there's so many red flags, one of the key ones being the difficulty of recruiting these types of people to begin with.

Proceed with caution. I'd hate to see you invest that kind of money and regret it.

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