Third Party Thursday - I know your area code and I'm not picking up the phone.

I'll be the first to admit publicly that If I can't recognize the number that magically appears on my caller ID, I won't answer the phone. And I don't feel guilty about it.

I think I've become sort of like "rain man" with area codes and it's getting a little freaky. Making a game of guessing area codes can actually add a bit of joy to a somewhat redundant day. Quick...what area code is 265?? If you answered "somewhere in Illinois", you'd be a winner.

Now I know what a client must feel like....limitless phone calls from every Tom, Dick and Harry in the free world wanting to "help" them with an open requirement. A client to me is the company that has so graciously selected me/us to "assist them with their staffing needs" - said in my best robot voice. We all put - at least I do - at the top of any posting going out on the web that I'm not interested in working with 3rd parties. Please and Thank you. Although, that's what I am. What I really mean to say is that I'm not interested in working with 4th parties. Subcontractors of subcontractors can get really messy and I avoid it all cost. There's a huge trust issue at play because the candidates that we present to our clients are a representation of the quality of our hard work. Unfortunately that's not the case with everyone else and what's even more unfortunate is that when..not if...but when you get burned, you'll be extremely hesitant to use one again.

So, I've set up some basic ground rules IF I choose to work with another person/company on one of my open spots.

* I'm your client. Treat me as such or it's going to be a tough road ahead.
* The person you submit should have been qualified by you - not the other 3rd party that submitted them to you.
* If you cannot answer basic questions regarding the person you are representing, we won't work together.
--Salary Range
--Top 5 Skills and how those relate to this particular opening
--Why did they leave their previous place of work?
--Have you done their references and can you produce them immediately? (not..."I can have them to you today".) @@@ huge painfully swollen red flag @@@
--Provide evaluation notes and scores from technical tests given. ("seriously dude???" - yes, I want to see proof that you've actually done your job)
* A signed contract stating our terms.
* Proof of liability insurance.
* References of your own that I can check. (Other recruiters that you've partnered with)

"Jeez...this guy is a douche bag!!" I expected that.....but if my clients expect that of me, I expect that of a 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. party. Relationships and reputations are all we've got and good ones take time and trust to cultivate. That's the same thing I tell my clients and that's why I've had them for as long as I have. Be the "other guy/gal". Who's that??? The "other guy/gal" that has a real quality process in place and sticks to it even though it may take more time and energy. Your client will love you for it, plus you might have just established a long term relationship with a 4th party vendor (or whatever number they are).

Happy Independence Day to those of you in the United States!!


The Anti Pimp