The Recruiting Inferno

Don?t worry ? I?ll be back?

Steven ? Re:money, can I have some? Perhaps when the technical issues are resolved (DB, did I ever tell you how much I enjoyed sending you code?) I?m sure I?ll be back. BTW, I love your blog. Folks, read it here.

Sherry ? There?s no sighing in recruiting.

Meg ? I?m not leaving ERE ? especially if I know there are people like you out there. Thank you!

Homula ? Number one, the only difference between us is that I can rhyme just a bit better than you (we won?t even talk about singing?). Two, you?re right about reaching people ? as I learned in grad school when I was teaching undergraduate courses in the exciting topic of statistics (yes, some of you are thinking, that would explain lots of things about Levy), I realized after a few weeks that in a class of 25, the best I could hope for was to ?reach? perhaps 3-4 students. Then I became a better teacher and a far happier one to boot.

But I don?t care that recruiters in general are an apathetic bunch. In martial arts, in particularly aikido, there is an uke (ookey) and a nage (nah-gay): The nage offers the technique and the uke accepts it; it really is like a dance where no one leads or follows but everything flows. I never expect to be listened to in this forum ? I?m merely offering insights to anyone who will accept them. But as you and I have spoken about how many recruiters and many in HR think people like me are off their rocker for suggesting that folks try things that would clearly not fly, there are times when even the strongest need a little pick-me-up.

Michael, can I have a hug?

Jennifer ? My hands are scarred from touching the hot flame on the stove, my eyesight damaged from playing with the pencil until I almost poked my eyes out, and my knees perpetually sore from jumping off the tree because my friend Peter jumped from the very same tree (BTW, thanks Mom). And I wouldn?t have it any other way. Jennifer, please post. Jennifer, please let the world know what you?re thinking. Jennifer, please continue to be a liberal. Jennifer, thank you!

Viva ? Don?t worry, since you demanded ? and I?m truly scared of what would happen if I didn?t consent ? I won?t be a stranger to ethics or diversity?nothing controversial about these areas.

Debbie ? Me give up? You kidding me? I?ll give up when President Bush can correctly pronounce ?nuclear?. I really don?t think I?m in the clouds ? the ONLY thing I may have as an advantage is that I?ve been in far more functions than most recruiter, I?m an engineer (there are no former engineers) and thus, probably have one or two more tricks in my bag to draw upon. Be careful though of looking up in the clouds ? if you?re not prepared, (a) the sun can come out without warning (as is known to happen in the Pacific Northwest) and if you?re not wearing a good pair of glasses, you can hurt your eyes and possibly prevent yourself from seeing well ever again; or (b) you can be pelted by a variety of moisture-based projectiles (some of which may even not be rain). Sure – opportunity favors the prepared mind ? but not all organizations (or bosses) like change (even though they say they do).

Marty ? I knew it wouldn?t take you too long to pick up the slack. But to clarify, it?s not at all ?boring and discouraging to speak into a void? ? as those who really know me, I am often found having engaging conversations with myself?or to my cats (yes, they do answer back). As far as the names have NOT been changed to protect the innocent, fear is demotivational. I?ve always tried to offer points of view that were empowering ? whether I?ve succeeded at times?or not, may be evident in these wonderful sentiments. Technologically, ERE needs a real blogging app (and I know DB is working on it) as well as RSS feeds. As far as my experience with Google, I was so annoyed with how call-ins were treated that I didn?t notice the statistical characteristics of the receptionist?

Dennis ? No, thank you. You?re right, my blogging ain?t dead ? it?s just in need of a larger screen (but don?t think I?m abandoning the ERE ? ERE is THE place for recruiters). If you?re going to buy a cell phone, it might as well be a Samsung…

Maureen ? What I appreciate is how often you send me private notes of thanks when all I really did was listen to what you had to say. And I know Marty IS a hoot.