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Mark/Mike/et al-

I must admit that after listening to youir series on Executive Recruiters I realize that I have done a poor job of building these relationships (or handling the calls for that matter!)

[Turning over a new leaf]

Would it be appropriate to initiate contact with a recruiter that works in my space (marketing) in order to begin building the described relationship? Or do I need to wait for the hoped for call?

If contact is okay - is there a preferred form?

Would it be better to try to network through functional groups (local Marketing Association for example)? Wouldn't that tend to come across as "I am actively looking"?

As always your thoughts are much appreciated and helpful.

Gary

wendii's picture
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Hey Gary

Did you see this reply in the podcast discussions part of the forum?

http://www.manager-tools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43

I hope that works, if not it's in the thread entitled How to approach recruiters.

In my opinion, and I'm not M or M obviously, networking should be done for it's intrinsic value, not because you want a new job, or because you want anything. You are a professional keeping up with your industry. Hopefully everyone else realises that too. Of course the laws of return work here too - described brilliantly by Neal here:

http://www.manager-tools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=59&highlight=law

(the feedback model/using influence)

Gosh, I just realised you could stay in these forums all day and get the answer to every question you ever asked!

Wendii

esanthony's picture

In my experience (of not doing it well at all), networking is like excercising. Its critical when you need it but it builds overtime and there is no good way to accelerate it. Also, like an emotional bank account, you must make lots of deposits early on so that you can make withdrawals later when you need it.

Eric

mauzenne's picture
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Eric makes a good point ... and I love the analogy. Anything "organic" works as an analogy as well; you don't plant in the spring hoping to harvest 1 month later. Building your network takes time. The wondeful part is that once you lay down the roots, maintenance is a very simple thing.

cdplunk's picture

I've never talked with a recruiter nor worked in the corporate world (I'm a career military officer) so I've got a basic question.

Where I’m at now, I have no problem making recommendations that might result in people leaving my unit or even leaving the service…I make the recommendation based on what I think is good for the unit, good for the individual and what works for the “greater good.” Even if my unit has to endure some pain due to a loss of skills most times I’ll still take the long view.

Is the private sector different? How does a company you work for view referring a recruiter to someone else in the company? Seems like if I give them the name for a great manager somewhere else in the company that I'd be seen as hurting the company if/when that manager takes the job the recruiter offers. Somehow, I don't think this is the sort of thing that will stay secret for long.

I think my question boils down to one of loyalty and how talking with a recruiter is viewed by all parties. The recruiter and the other manager will appreciate my referral but what about the company? How much loyalty is owed to my company...what is considered professional and mentoring/looking out for people I know and what is not?

r,
Curtis

Brent's picture

In my experience, it depends on the company. Some corporate cultures frown on recommending people to recruiters. Others are open to it. For example, my boss has told me that he has no problems recommending me for other positions if he thinks it's a good fit for me (and the other group, and the company as a whole, etc.).

Mark's picture
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Curtis-

Good question, and one we get a lot.

In general, it's completely acceptable to refer a recruiter to someone. Remember that you're not making them go... there are plenty of people who are referred who never leave, so the one who referred them oughtn't get in trouble for that. It's ultimately the responsibility of the person leaving, and companies generally conclude that they don't want someone who doesn't want to stay. And "companies" - read, "most managers" - know that anyone can contact a recruiter on their own.

Now, if you are thinking about leaving and work hard to help recruit people, encouraging them to leave, and asking them to talk to multiple recruiters... this is unethical. Even if you are simply going overboard to help your magically gifted recruiter, it's considered wrong.

The issue there is that you are not encouraging them to come somewhere else, but rather just to leave. That's inappropriate.

Can you contact several people with a recruiters' help to staff up somewhere you go to? Yes, that's often done legitimately. Usually it's considered more appropriate if you are staffing your area with people whow will work for you. Just general recruiting is more frowned upon. Both might irritate a losing firm... but it's not "not done".

It's a privilege to serve you,

Mark

russdev's picture

ok question i am in the uk and work in STRANGE industry (ict in education) and in the UK and not not many recruitment firms that deal with ict in education setting. But there are few and a few who while do not deal with only education but they do deal with a high proportion of jobs.

Anyway there are few whats people views on being pro-active and trying to start a relationship with a recruiter who not connected you. Is this a good idea any tips if so...

Regards

Russell

Mark's picture
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Russell-

Yes, you can do that. It means you'll have to work harder, and there's a lesser chance of success, but the relationship will have value, I think.

I'd also recommend, if you can, downloading the Google toolbar, which allows you to spell check webposts.

Mark

russdev's picture

[quote="mahorstman"]Russell-

Yes, you can do that. It means you'll have to work harder, and there's a lesser chance of success, but the relationship will have value, I think.

I'd also recommend, if you can, downloading the Google toolbar, which allows you to spell check webposts.

Mark[/quote]

Sorry forgot to hit spell check before I posted and the fact my spelling is atricio... really bad ;)

Anyway

Thanks

Regards

Russell

Mark's picture
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Russ-

I'd be interested to hear how it goes. Think of it as an experiment - you'll learn a lot. Luckily, if you approach it that way, you won't likely make the cardinal mistake everyone else makes: "why hasn't that recruiter gotten me a job yet? Isn't that HIS job?" (Uhh...NO, it's not).

Keep us posted.

Mark