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Permalink Reply by Eric Beauford on November 19, 2008 at 4:25pm

I find it interesting that you felt compelled to phrase the question the way you did. Did a competitor (either internal or external) that professes themselves to be a Christian do something unethical like "lying through their teeth" in order to penetrate a company and accomplish their goal of locating a qualified candidate by any means necessary?

As for your reference to faith having or not having an affect, I joined the recruiting industry in 1996 and did not yet have a personal relationship with God. However, the "recruiting tactics" that my initial managers were training me on, bothered me greatly. Even then, I did not understand why you would want to start anything that required you to lie in order to be successful. If you have to lie, that means more than likely the ultimate outcome may not be good for someone. I got into recruiting because I enjoyed working with people and creating relationships, and thought how great it would be to help them find jobs while also providing a valuable service to my clients. I know some people don't mind getting busted, but I never felt comfortable even going there in the first place.

Now, my two cents on "having faith". I finally gave up trying to do it by myself, and entered into a relationship with God 6 years ago, and the more I grow I don't know how, personally, I could separate my faith from my work practices. To me the main key to recruiting, and everything else for that matter, is relationships. I believed it before and even more so now, and it would be very difficult to start any kind of relationship with a lie. I know it is polyanna, but how great would it be if we could all be up front, and didn't have to try and figure out everyone's agenda or their angle when they called us....I bet more phone calls would be answered and voicemails returned.

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Albright on November 19, 2008 at 4:30pm

(((((( popcorn ))))))

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Permalink Reply by Steve Levy on November 19, 2008 at 7:28pm

Since it's so close to Thanksgiving here in the States (Nick - if you're in the States next week, you're welcome at my table), I thought I'd resurrect a favorite post from the Desperate Sourcers series Maureen and I wrote starting back in 2005.

Some on Hysteria Lane Even Poach Their Turkey for Thanksgiving

“Visualize the parking space and it will appear,” Joan murmurs to herself as she pulls into crowded Wegman’s parking lot late Wednesday afternoon - the day before Thanksgiving. Superlative customer service aside, if only the customers were as nice as the employees. Pulling carefully past the parked cars, she maneuvers her Bimmer - yes, 35% affords her a nice life - towards the front of the store when she spies a car backing out of the handicapped spot. No, the person is not leaving; just perfecting the blue-line technique, except the driver manages to straddle into the non-handicapped space - and without a permit. “Just great!”

“Damn,” she mutters quietly, “this person better have a good reason to park like that.” Yep, she notices the blue parking tag attached to the rearview mirror of the Jag; the driver exits - there s something familiar about the woman Joan thinks to herself. “Harrumph!” she barks to no one in particular and turns into the next row in search of parking nirvana.

Finally, Joan notices another car - one of those cute Volkswagen bugs with a flower standing high above the dashboard - zipping impatiently down the lane next to her. Too fast around the curve, the car almost mows down a young mother with a fully-laden grocery cart, a baby in the seat, and a toddler by the hand. So abruptly does the woman have to pull her heavy shopping cart to a halt off the downhill ramp that two of the bags on top spill out in front of her and dump their contents out upon the macadam lot. By this time Joan had parked and left her car, clicking the lock as she approaches the unnerved young family. “Here, here, let me help, everything s going to be okay,” Joan comforts as she scrambles after the creamed corn and the spilled Macintosh apples. Tucking the last grapefruit in one of the bags, she smiles at the woman and asks, “Can I help you to your car?”

“No, no, thank you - you've been so kind - that lady almost ran into us!” she exclaimed. “It’s the holidays,” offered Joan and shrugs her shoulders. “Some people get crazy perversely around the holidays - don t let things like this keep you from having Happy Thanksgiving!”

“We will - we’re havin turkey!” shouted the toddler who added, “and punkin pie!” Smiling, Joan achingly remembers her children at that age. “Oh, how time vanishes!” she thinks to herself as she enters the brightly lit and festively trimmed store.

As she wheels the shopping cart out of the parked lane and enters produce section, a cart clips her heals and nearly causes her to pitch forward. Turning around and two milliseconds from cursing up a blue streak, she hears, “Oh! I’m so sorry - I’m movin too fast, as usual - oh! Joan! How are you?” the offender exclaims as Joan notices it’s one of her Hysteria Lane neighbors - and the woman in the Jag who parked in the handicapped spot outside. Joan s eyes tightened to narrow slits.

Joan searched deep inside for the politeness that enabled her to say, “Hello, Anti-Poaching Person; that s okay - accidents happen - how have you been?” As if she really cares…

“Oh, I've been so busy! Between my busy recruiting work and all the monitoring I do on the groups - you know the groups, right, Joan? I just love the groups - and I know they loooooove me. I don t have a minute’s peace. I’m finally just now getting to the store for the first time in two weeks - I should have just waited til after Thanksgiving.” she trails off as she looks at the crowded registers.

“Are you cooking tomorrow?” Joan asks to which Anti-Poaching Person shoots back with “Me cook? No way! I’ve had so many offers from people wanting me to come to dinner tomorrow but I’m just gonna stay home and catch up on some of my reading - you know how recruiting laws change every minute of every day of every month in this great land of ours. I’m thankful for that!”

Knowing better than to ask and risk a forty-five minute inquisition, Joan creeps forward, pushing her cart before her, peering intently at the prices marked on the baked goods offered for sale. “Those pies look good but they want what? $8.99? For a pumpkin pie! Goodness gracious, some people really do go nuts on the holidays,” she thinks to herself. “Well, Anti-Poaching Person I hope you have a nice holiday,” as she ignores Anti-Poaching Person’s groups question, “I better get going, I’m cooking and I’m here to buy a turkey.” Moving off, and thinking aloud, Joan says to no one in particular, “I’m just so tired of roasted turkey - this year I’m going to poach it.”

Anti-Poaching Person’s head does a 180 - the only thing missing is a spinning bed and green vomit. “What?” she cries. “Did I hear you correctly??? You’re going to do what?” Caught a bit of guard, Joan offers a weak “Huh?” She also notices the Jaguar logo key chain on the keys Anti-Poaching Person has hanging from her Coach purse. “What did you say?” Anti-Poaching Person demands. “Did you say you’re going to poach a turkey?”

“Uhhh, yeah,” Joan stammers as if confronted by a burly police officer, “I was thinkin about it. Might be a nice change - you know; kinda thinkin outside the bird,” as she offers weak smile and a sly wink at Anti-Poaching Person.

Like waving a red flag waved in front of a charging bull, Anti-Poaching Person’s face reddens to an equally deep crimson. “But don’t you know, Joan, poaching is just wrong - it’s illegal and unethical - in this state and all others! It doesn’t matter that it’s a turkey - all poaching’s illegal, illegal, ILLEGAL! And to top it off, it’s just plain fowl.”

Joan sharply replies. “Anti-Poaching Person we’ve been over this - you know I don’t agree with you on some things, and this is one of them. Let’s leave well enough alone before one of us gets our feelings hurt.” And it won t be me, Joan chuckles to herself.

“But Joan!” Anti-Poaching Person is frothing at the mouth and almost screaming, “poaching is illegal - you know it’s illegal - and unethical!” She just can t help herself, the poor thing. Easy, Joan. Somebody ought to get Anti-Poaching Person out of here. “Poultry Roasting Owners For Intelligent Turkey Society - PROFITS - has strict guidelines on how to prepare holiday fowl. I’m certified - and you should be too. It’s a sign that you believe in traditional Holiday food preparation.”

“Anti-Poaching Person! Stop! You've made my mind up - I’m going to poach this turkey and you can t stop me! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to find the Certified Poultry Purchaser - his name is Frank Clux and he is usually in this store.”

“What d’ya need to talk to him for,” Anti-Poaching Person asks, her nose wrinkling upwards as if smelling a foul scent.

“Well, if you must know, I want to know just how much he pays for the poultry he buys for this store - I found his name on their store telephone directory and I’ve left messages for him since Monday so I thought I’d come in here and hunt him down in person; I want to know why I have to pay $1.49/lb here when I can get it for 49 cents at Western Beef down the road.”

“A pilfered phone directory,” Anti-Poaching Person thinks to herself as a shudder runs across her thin frame. “I heard that before -oh yeah, I guess all of Hysteria Lane s gone to Heck in a Handbasket,” as she remembered the remark that wafted in on the morning breeze earlier in the week.

“Joan, we gotta talk,” Anti-Poaching Person blurts out, “You re gonna get yourself in some serious trouble, you have some serious bad habits, girl - did Noreen teach you this stuff?”

Joan chuckles louder than normal as Anti-Poaching Person throws her head back like an angry equine and mutters loudly under her breath so all in earshot can hear, “Poaching a turkey is just plain wrong.”

Turning to the woman who happens to be eavesdropping in on this juicy conversation, Joan smiles and says, “But it tastes soooooooo good.”

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Permalink Reply by Dave Templeman on November 20, 2008 at 8:54am

As a Christian I don't think you need to lie to a gatekeeper to get past them. I also don't think you need to use unethical methods to research a company. As a matter of fact, the people who make it a habit of using unethical or dishonest methods of advancing their business are usually exposed. Keep these words of Paul in mind next time you are considering doing something less than honest in your efforts to make a buck. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving(Colossians 3:23-24)

David Templeman
Director of Recruiting

RiverPoint Group LLC

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Permalink Reply by John S. Kennedy on November 20, 2008 at 9:43am

I once heard a gentleman of conscience say, "I don't know if I can be a good person and continue to be involved with this industry."

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Permalink Reply by Jim Canto on November 20, 2008 at 10:45am

Wow! What a great discussion! I only made it through the first page of replies and they are fascinating. I could get sucked into this entire string... but there's work to be done. However, I find myself compelled to vote for the following as my favorite explanation, justification and answer to the original question.

Michael Schulman said:

Let's first look at the title of your question, "Is Headhunting ethical?" First of all, the behavior of lying to gate keepers, or anyone else for that matter, is not directly related to the morality or ethical nature of the profession of executive recruitment. Lying is not a moral behavior. Good recruiters can find people and even get past gatekeepers without lying. So just to make one thing perfectly clear, it is improper to imply that by it's nature alone, that the making available of career opportunities to those who do not know of them yet is unethical, is just plain wrong. As an ex-therapist of 7 years and executive recruiter of 30 years, I can say that I am involved in an honorable profession. I help human beings realize their potential. Since the ratification of the 13th amendment making it illegal for anyone (or company) to force another person into indentured servitude, we should never feel guilty offering a person a chance to work in a place they may choose as a better place for themselves. We should however understand, that we have a responsibility to conduct our professional practice in ethical manner.

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Permalink Reply by bill josephson on November 20, 2008 at 10:57am

Agreed, which is why recruiting is legal and lucrative when successful.

In the process we all realize that 99.9% of the companies we're recruiting from don't want us doing so and, in knowing this, we persist anyway. It's that aspect of recruiting and doing what's necessary/effective as a means to the desired end of finding passive candidates knowing our activity is frowned upon by the company we're recruiting out of which causes most of the "queasiness," IMO.

Just my two cents.

Bill

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Haley on November 20, 2008 at 11:09am

I couldn't resist this one. An argument about Ethics and Karen? It's been a while.

People that don't like rusing tend to be people that can't do it, so it's easier to knock it in the same way as the only sales people that knock cold calling are the ones that can't do it very well.

Most Headhunters ruse and as long as its harmless and no one gets hurt in the process, what is the big deal? It's all to improve a candidates lifestyle and help the Customer get the best staff after all which is why they pay healthy fees for the service.

I've never heard a Customer or Candidate complain yet after a successful conclusion. Can you imagine the customer complaining to you? "I'm not going to give that job to the perfect candidate you found me because you lied to the gatekeeper to get their name" yeah right. The only complaints are from other recruiters.

It's the depth of the ruse that matters. Making up a story to get past a gatekeeper is a smaller lie than telling your children that Santa Claus is true or the tooth fairy really exists. Ever told this lie to your kids and yet you won't use a ruse?

I don't see the relevance of the Regious connection because if Religion is about telling the truth, which one is it that is telling the truth? Or are they all telling the truth?

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Permalink Reply by Rayanne on November 20, 2008 at 1:07pm

Hey Paul...
Did you know your simple question, Is Headhunting ethical?, would provide such powerful and emotional responses by so many? Thanks for stirring it up a bit and firing a few RBC synapses...
~R

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Permalink Reply by Rayanne on November 20, 2008 at 1:12pm

was that industry politics? or maybe it was big oil? or was it merchandising? or maybe it was pharmaceuticals?
Capitalism rears the ugly side of its head once again....


John S. Kennedy said:

I once heard a gentleman of conscience say, "I don't know if I can be a good person and continue to be involved with this industry."

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Permalink Reply by Joshua Letourneau on November 20, 2008 at 1:19pm

Paul, your question is, "Is Headhunting Ethical?" Put simply, Yes, headhunting is ethical. However, please understand that the usage of the term, "Headhunting" elicits negative thoughts among a good portion of not only the Candidate and Client market, but also the Recruiting market ("Us"!). If you would have posed the question, "Is Executive Recruiting Ethical?", a different picture would have emerged in the mind of the reader (be it conscious or subconscious).

If you are defining headhunting or recruiting as "lying through [their] teeth" or "probing the company until you find your target", then perhaps you have been introduced to unethical techniques or practices. In fact, before I took a second to answer your question, I took a look at your profile and noticed you've been doing this for less than a year. I was interested to see how long you've been in "the game" just to get a feel as to whether your perceptions of recruitment are a function of the office you work in . . . or a long period of negative experiences.

It's like this, Paul: Recruiting or "Headhunting" is a profession in which we truly change people's lives each and every day. If you do it the right way, and focus on creating the right matches instead of forcing deals to make a few dollars (or pounds, in your case), I can't think of many more satisfying roles to be in from a ethical or moral perspective. Kind of changes the way you consider what we do when you look at it from that angle, right?

Now, what I would like to present, Paul, is that while recruiting is ethical, there are individuals that will engage in unethical activity to get the job done. In fact, many offices not only promote these practices, but they furthermore build them into existing processes. As with anything, if you find yourself in a position where you are forced to negotiate compromises with your values, move on. If you stay, given you know what it's going to take to be a contributing member of your office, then the only one you can blame is yourself.

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Permalink Reply by Harvey Clay on November 20, 2008 at 1:19pm

Headhunting in and of itself is neither. There are plenty of ethical, as well as plenty of unethical Headhunters
As many have shared: look in the mirror; examine yourself; ask for feedback from your customers, etc.
The "art" of Recruiting / Headhunting takes on many shapes and forms. As Professionals in the business of changing lives, we should hold ourselves to high standards.
Peace,

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