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Permalink Reply by Jerry Albright on May 7, 2009 at 10:25am

Hi Thomas. I never send a resume unless I am completely comfortable with the situation. All resumes include contact info.

If I don't feel good enough about the situation then I either try to work on whatever is concerning me (could be anything....) or just move on. This is not a game of hide and seek. I'm a professional and in my opinion sending a "blind" resume only says "I think you might try to screw me." to my potential client.

If we want trust - let's start by showing some.

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Permalink Reply by pam claughton on May 7, 2009 at 1:33pm

We never send candidate contact information. We put our contact info/logo at the top of each resume we submit, and part of our service is coordinating the interviews. We are happy to share contact info at that time, once the client has indicated interest and we'll then schedule the interview, and prepare the candidate. This way we and the candidate know when the client will call and everything runs through us, which enables us to make sure everything goes smoothly as well. For instance we tell canddiates if the client doesn't call at the scheduled time, to call us once it's ten past and we'll immediately get in touch and either reschedule or remind the client and the interview will happen. It's how I learned in the large agency I once worked for, and it's how everyone I've ever worked with does it.

I've never had a client question it, but if they did, I'd just say, "I'm happy to share the contact info of any candidates you are interested in, let me know which ones, and when you are available and I will coordinate the interview process for you." Once they understand that this makes their job easier, it shouldn't be an issue.

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Albright on May 7, 2009 at 1:45pm

I guess my response was directed more toward the "show me what you've got and maybe I'll give you the order" way of thinking. I am against that as a business development approach. Usually in those cases they are not interested in your service - but wouldn't mind taking a look at a resume for whatever reason.

Regarding scheduling, etc. I have never had a client call without it being scheduled first. I just think it eliminates all the "Hey - what is the guys number?" type stuff. I don't always have every candidate with me and some times you'll get a message or something when you're out of the office and want to connect the two right away if possible. If the client has the number already it makes our job just a little easier.

This is sad. Pam and I are not in complete agreement on something. I'm shutting down early today.......... :)

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Permalink Reply by pam claughton on May 7, 2009 at 2:08pm

Jerry,

I think it may be a first! :) I wonder if it may be a regional thing possibly? I never gave it much thought, it's just the way we learned so we do it this way too.

I will add though, in looking at the original question, that I don't think that scenario is common, where a potential new client will demand to see a resume before agreeing to a fee. If so, I don't think I'd view that as a 'real' client. I've found that clients either get what we do and are fine with working with a recruiter and in that case, they expect to sign an agreement.....or they don't, and it's likely a waste of time trying to convince them otherwise. Better off to keep going and find the new client who values what a good recruiter can do for them.

Jerry Albright said:

I guess my response was directed more toward the "show me what you've got and maybe I'll give you the order" way of thinking. I am against that as a business development approach. Usually in those cases they are not interested in your service - but wouldn't mind taking a look at a resume for whatever reason.

Regarding scheduling, etc. I have never had a client call without it being scheduled first. I just think it eliminates all the "Hey - what is the guys number?" type stuff. I don't always have every candidate with me and some times you'll get a message or something when you're out of the office and want to connect the two right away if possible. If the client has the number already it makes our job just a little easier.

This is sad. Pam and I are not in complete agreement on something. I'm shutting down early today.......... :)

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Permalink Reply by Maureen Sharib on May 7, 2009 at 2:57pm

"...clients either get what we do and are fine with working with a recruiter and in that case, they expect to sign an agreement.....or they don't, and it's likely a waste of time trying to convince them otherwise." ~ Pam Claughton
I agree wholeheartedly (this in the phone sourcing business)!

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Patrick Chuna on May 9, 2009 at 11:27am

Thanks for all of the posts, folks..I like the varied opinions and thought - out responses. Lots to learn from.

Actually, I use a candidate "summary sheet", hitting all of the high notes with my contact info, when I am marketing a candidate to build business with companies I don't have a fee agreement with yet.

It comes in handy if I call into a company, and get referred to the hiring authority ( hr or otherwise ) by whoever I talk to first.

It's something I can send over that shows what I do, yet isn't my own marketing material, it helps flesh out if there is an actual need, and still protects my candidate.

They want me to find them a new opportunity, not shotgun their name everywhere so I can get new clients.

Maybe I'm wrong in this, but I've always been very "candidate driven".. even if the interviews or positions don't work out, I get my calls returned, and lots of referrals, so having candidates to work with isn't really a problem.

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