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Kevin Kohut
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An Open Letter to IT Headhunters |
| Kevin looks back at his headhunter experience. |
| by Kevin Kohut |
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7/31/2001 -- Well, everyone's still talking about the downturn in IT: It seems no matter what publication I look at, there's at least one article about IT job cuts, lower salaries for certified professionals, or the increasingly higher qualifications being sought by companies that are hiring. Yet, based on the number of unsolicited e-mails I get from headhunters, the IT recruiting industry must still be booming!
In the Los Angeles area alone there are literally hundreds of recruiting firms (just do a metropolitan search on Dice.com -- you'll see what I mean), all claiming to find you that ideal IT position. Being the seasoned IT professional that I am, and also a recent dot-com casualty, I thought I'd let these headhunters work their magic with my résumé.
I found several IT positions that looked like a good fit for my experience and skill set, and contacted the recruiting firms that were handling them. I sent a nice cover e-mail, along with my résumé in the obligatory Word format. If the headhunter had a registration Web site, I filled that out as well. (I should note at this point that this was not just an exercise to provide column fodder -- after my layoff from the dot com, I was truly looking for a new position.)
As a result of my six-week odyssey into the world of IT recruiting, I've written the following letter to any headhunter who is inclined to listen:
Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. Headhunter,
I know that the IT industry is in a big mess right now. And I know that there are hordes of IT professionals seeking positions, making you a very busy person these days. As one of those professionals I'd like to offer a few suggestions:
- Bone up on your IT knowledge. One of your ads is asking for at least eight years of experience with Windows 2000. Windows NT hasn't even been around that long! Other ads spew forth myriad acronyms -- no one can possibly know all those technologies (or at least know them well). I know, I know, you're just echoing what your client has asked for. Well, you should know enough about the realities of IT to address these issues with your client, rather than just parroting their job description.
- Communicate! Respond to my e-mail. I know I'm not your only candidate, but it only takes a couple of seconds to hit the reply button and type a sentence or two. When I leave a voicemail message, return my call, either to tell me that you're moving forward or that I'm not fit for the position.
- Listen to me. I told you I didn't want to commute more than 30 minutes one way. So why are you asking me about positions that are an hour or more drive time? I also told you that I'm not a C++ programmer, yet you send me job descriptions for C++ gurus. I did go out of my way to mention that I have an extensive project management background, yet you act surprised when I ask you about a project management position.
- Tell the truth. Why do you think we IT professionals rank you guys right down there with used car salesmen and personal injury lawyers? (No offense to either of these fine professions!) Because getting the straight truth out of you is an exercise in futility. I wasted precious time going on interviews for positions that paid far less than you represented; you told me my résumé had been forwarded to a hiring manager when it hadn't; you assured me that I was one of a select few candidates you were sending to a client, when in fact you had already gone through a stack of applicants.
Thank you for hearing me out. Oh, there is one more thing: Can you please tell your clients not to place position requisitions with you unless they are serious about filling them? I know this one's not your fault, but it sure is irksome to go through several interviews, only to find out that the position isn't funded and won't be filled.
Sincerely,
Kevin Kohut
Still Looking?
I never got a job offer after all my searching. But that turned out to be a good thing in my case -- it gave me the extra push I needed to finally get my own business idea moving forward. Of course, as my company develops I'll be needing to hire a variety of IT professionals. Maybe I'll enlist the assistance of a couple of headhunters. Or maybe not!
What's your experience with IT headhunters been like? Post your comments below!
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Kevin Kohut has been involved with information technology in some form or another for over 18 years, and has a strong business management background as well. As a computer consultant Kevin has helped both small businesses and large corporations realize the benefits of applying technology to their business needs.
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More articles by Kevin Kohut:
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There are 77  user Comments for “An Open Letter to IT Headhunters”
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Page 1 of 8
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| 8/1/01: Andy says: |
It's interesting to see that things are the same the world over! Here in the UK we experience exactly the same frustrations with headhunters especially when the market is slow. Did you get any acknowledgement from the headhunters to whom you sent this mail? |
| 8/1/01: Kevin says: |
I didn't actually send this letter to any headhunters--I'm hoping at least a few of them peruse this site. Perhaps I should send it to some of them! |
| 8/1/01: Sunil says: |
Headhunters are playing havoc with IT professionals, in these down times. In the name of helping them they actually spoil the chances of a right candidate getting the job by forcing their own choices for financial gains (from both the employer and the candidate). |
| 8/1/01: Wayne says: |
Your article sums up exactly the way I feel about IT recruiters. Recently I've had several IT recruiters (who've I talked to previously), call me up and ask how things are going and then ask if I'd been interviewing with any other companies and what the names of those companies are. It's obvious that they are fishing for leads, so that they can call up someone I interviewed with and see if they can get a job order from them. |
| 8/2/01: Meegan says: |
I love you!!! I thought I was the only one in the world. I felt so awful and useless. I have the same credentials as you it seems and actually had the same experience as you. I spoke with recruiter and was asking him what backend system the customer used and he ignored it! If a company is looking for someone with specific skills, wouldn't you think they'd know the backend that person would be working with???? Anyhow, I love what I do but it looks SO grim right now. I'm in the Silicon Valley. So many job postings but the jobs aren't REALLY available. WHat the heck is that? Why do companies do that? Maybe this can be one of your next articles : ) Good luck with your new company. <Meeg> |
| 8/2/01: Ellen says: |
Boy can I relate! I'm not out of work -yet- but the possibility is fast approaching. I posted my resume on Monster.com and got recruiters contacting me instead of companies. Whats up with that? Would the companies rather sort through a ton of unqualified candidates rather than make a simple phone call or email? I've made a decision not to use headhunters unless I have to...it just is driving up the cost of IT salaries for companies and does spoil opportunities for the candidate. In my nearly 20 years of experience in IT, I've had 2 successful placements from headhunters, purely by accident let me assure you. I've had all your experiences and more. I've also had the hard-sell and then NOTHING when the position falls through with the prospective. To those looking, keep your chin up. The headhunters unprofessionalism is NOT a reflection of your worth in the marketplace. |
| 8/2/01: Paclady says: |
Here, here to Kevin and the rest of us for being out there trying. NY area is just as bad. I have a job - for now - we're being sold and I'm on the PC training side. Kevin, you may have just given me the push to make the jump to consulting that I've been thinking about through this buyout - and the other 2 downsizings and reorganizations I've been through over the last 10 years. Thanks to all of you for the comraderie and the chuckles... :-D |
| 8/2/01: David says: |
WOW! That is life exactly in the valley of the sun (Phoenix). When I moved here I was told about this area was becoming the new silicon valley. Well if it is no one seems to be hiring. I have been to four different headhunters, all saying well you seemed pretty qualified, but I don't seem any positions that you would fit in at this time. One of these head hunters called me up and wanted to ask a few questions. When she asked what type of work are you looking to do, I felt like repling, "...I would like a job were I can call people up on the phone ande tell them that they are not qualified or are over qualified." It is nice that there are others in this world having the same troubles. Here I felt very alone and inadequet, you have given a new hope and out look. Thanks! |
| 8/2/01: Steve says: |
I have had very similar experiences with these fleshpeddlers. It is bad enough that some of these tech companies do not really know who or what they want, but when you mix the headhunters into the formula the situation simply goes from bad to worse. They have never worked in IT, have no idea about job descriptions or requirements. I would compare them to encyclopedia sales people...one can sell these without ever having read one. |
| 8/6/01: Anthony says: |
Kevin, I enjoy reading your articles and I think you do know what you are talking about, but when then position is "not funded" it may be a polite way of the client telling you that you are not suitable for the position. I know getting knocked back always hurts but I thought that, since we were on the subject, it would be a good place to tell the truth behind this little gem. |
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