Comment by Erin Wilson on June 29, 2011 at 3:03pm

Jennifer - I appreciate the time you've invested reading and commenting on my post, thank you for that! Moving forward I will certainly pay attention to my diction. That said, I feel strongly about the use of altruism in this post. The theme of my blog is to help improve the actions and in turn reputation of my peers. As an HR Director yourself, you are probably aware of the overwhelming number of recruiters who do not add value to the hiring process and how frustrating that can be for everyone else they are working with at the time. Many times the approach and integrity behind the action is less than ideal and I think most would argue that action begins with mentality/thought process.

That in mind I believe an approach centered around altruism will ultimately lead to more positive and product work by a recruiter than actions centered around self interest. I am not stating that my candidates or clients have more or less value than myself. Instead, I am stating that it is their job search or candidate search and that my actions should be made with that in mind before I think about the transaction or money I will make as a recruiter filling a position. If altruism is kept in mind, then based on my experience I have seen more successful results with long-term relationships rather than fast-paced transactions with little integrity behind them.

Make sense?

Comment by Chris Wallingford on June 29, 2011 at 3:55pm

You can call it "altruism" but it is just plain good business practice.  I have always considered a candidate as a client, just as I do companies.  You do not development long term relationships with client candidates by being any less concerned with their best interests than you would with a client company.

Comment by Valentino Martinez on June 30, 2011 at 1:08am

Chris,

 

I agree with your recommendation about recruiters being more altruistic because such behavior in recruiters will go a long way to dispel a lot of the negative perception of "recruiters" that exists with many employers and the general public.  However, I must say, facilitating the job placement of software engineers (technical professionals) is leaning more toward "opportunistic" than it is "altruistic"--particularly if you were paid a fee for the effort.  Unless, unless of course, a good percentage of those served were somewhat helpless and quite dependent on your involvement on their behalf that produced a happy ending.  If that's the case your efforts lean toward altruistic behavior.

 

Yet when I think of the term "Altruism", I automatically think who best represents that dynamic in my lifetime?  That would be "Mother Teresa of Calcutta".  Her picture should be placed next to the definition of Altruism, because throughout her working life..."helping, serving, or benefiting others, at the sacrifice of self interest (definition of Altruism-via Wikipedia) defined her.  Hell, she's up for Sainthood for her work with the destitute and dying in India.

 

Relative to recruitment and your recommendation to "Be a Better Recruiter" which was somehow triggered by the theme of "give back" a la Justin Beiber--maybe pro bono work is closer to the mark, e.g, helping the unemployed with resume writing and/or job interview prep.  That would be closer to altruistic behavior for a recruiter--yes?  No?

It has worked for me--past and present--and has made me a better recruiter.

Comment by Tracey Cress on June 30, 2011 at 9:40am

The opposite of altruism is egoism, the habit of valuing everything only in reference to one's personal interest; selfishness.  So, I do not subscribe to Friedrich Nietzche's philosophy, Jennifer.

Altruism produces more positive outcomes and long term success just as you stated, Erin.  I have witnessed this time and time again in recruiting and every other aspect of life.   

You may not buy into this now, but my challenge is this: try it once and see what happens.   

 

 

 

Comment by Sandra McCartt on June 30, 2011 at 12:31pm

There is great debate as to whether Nietzsche died of syphillis or just went crazy.  I suppose if one espouses and agrees with Nietzsche that "God is Dead" they might actually think it's all about self.

 

I am more of the opinion that if one casts their bread upon the waters it will come back many fold.  The narcissitic personality disorders that we are seeing more of in the current culture convince me that we have more of a responsibility to share our talents, whatever they may be.  Helping someone who needs a job badly is many time more rewarding to me than a big fee.  We all have the responsiblity to take care of our own well being if we are to be in a position to help others.

 

Empathy as opposed to sympathy i believe makes me a better recruiter.  Do you know what it feels like to sit on the other side of your desk?

Comment by Tracey Cress on June 30, 2011 at 1:00pm

Well said, Sandra!!

 

Comment by Erin Wilson on June 30, 2011 at 1:08pm

Thank you to everyone who has commented and contributed to this thread. I truly appreciate the ability to learn from the perspective of others. Again, thank you.

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