Jobs - Ask the Headhunter

POSTED: Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008

Is it normal for headhunters to be rude?

Question: I am confused. I was contacted by a headhunter who was very upbeat after meeting me in person. He said to get ready for an interview because his client was very interested in me. I have not heard from him since. I want to emphasize that he recruited me; I did not reach out to him. Is a headhunter held to the same professional etiquette that the rest of us are?

Answer: Yes. But many people who call themselves headhunters are little more than coldhearted opportunists. That's why turnover in the headhunting business is enormous, and it's why the profession — unfortunately — has a bad reputation in many circles.

The headhunter has an obligation to follow up with you, even if his client decides against further interviews. It takes only a minute to call and politely explain that there's not a fit after all. My guess is that the headhunter is relatively inexperienced, and his habit is to pump all candidates up. It's no skin off his nose if things don't work out and you are dropped from the list. Or so he thinks.

Such headhunters destroy their reputations when they treat job candidates like this. You see, as a member of your professional community, you will tell others about your experience, and they will repeat the story. That's how headhunters lose their credibility and their business.

In terms of a job opportunity, I'd forget about this one. With regard to how you were treated, I'd remember this headhunter. He will likely call you again when he needs referrals to other candidates. That's the time to explain professional courtesy to him.

Tell him you don't deal with people who waste your time and that you don't recommend your friends to people like him either. That's how you protect your professional community: by rejecting jerks. It's also how you help rid the headhunting business of irresponsible practitioners.

There are good headhunters out there. You'll know them from their behavior. Let this one go — the opportunity and the headhunter — because there probably isn't a real opportunity, and this certainly isn't a very good headhunter.