Diane Stafford: Recruiters work for employers, not job hunters

A mechanical engineer who has been in a job search suggested that recruiters, not just job hunters, could benefit from guidelines for professional conduct. Point well taken.

An explainer to start: Not all recruiters are created equal.

Some are payroll employees -- essentially the human resources department -- of the organization that they're recruiting for.

Some are "retained search" recruiters on contract with employers to fill select job openings.

Some are more like freelance recruiters, making cold calls to job hunters whose resumes they find online.

It's the third group, who may work for verifiable companies, that most need guidelines -- not that anything said here will change that segment of the industry or some of the people who practice in it. Sadly, many recruiters in that industry are known more for relieving job hunters of considerable sums of money than fostering a hire.

Job hunters are advised to spare themselves grief and politely decline any such offer that asks them to pay to find a job. Legitimate recruiters don't charge the job hunter.

But back to the engineer who wasn't a financial victim but nonetheless felt abused by recruiters who he felt didn't have his interests at heart. To paraphrase his requests for good recruiter etiquette:

­-- Please read my resume thoroughly before you call me.

-- Don't pressure me to go on an interview that I know isn't a good fit for me or the employer.

-- Don't submit my resume to any employer without getting my permission first.

-- Be honest. Don't tell me you're exclusively recruiting for a company's opening and then I find the exact position posted on job boards.

His points are all sensible. But his reaction to recruiters also serves as a reminder to job hunters that legitimate recruiters work for employers, not job hunters. Their role is to fill job openings, not find employment for job hunters.

To reach Diane Stafford, call 816-234-4359 or send email to staffordkcstar.com. Follow her online at kansascity.com/workplace and twitter.com/kcstarstafford.

This story was originally published January 16, 2016 at 8:08 PM with the headline "Diane Stafford: Recruiters work for employers, not job hunters ."