
So this is the scenario, I speak with a new candidate who is looking for their first or next role as a Medical Sales Specialist, we discuss their career, expectations and get an initial understanding of why they are looking for a move and what they would like to consider as career options.
We arrange a one to one interview and that goes well and from that I now have a detailed and deep understanding of what the candidate is looking to achieve from their next role, the type of manager, company and products that would best suit them. So I have opportunities with client companies that fit what they are looking for and we discuss the reasons why I feel they could be a good fit. I disclose the company name and my understanding of them as an organisation and any insight into the role and the opportunity. We talk through the products, package and even competitor companies and the candidate is able to then say yes or no if this is or isn’t right for them.
The candidate likes the sound of a number of opportunities with client companies I have outlined and we agree that I will start the application process and submit their CV for the roles discussed and speak with the recruiting manager, all very straight forward, transparent and clear, no problems!
Who else?
Then I ask this question as all recruiters do, ‘So which other recruiters are you registered with? And what roles have they put you forward to?’ Now some may think this question is to gain vacancy leads and try to muscle in on some additional business, that’s not my style, I’m busy enough with my own client’s vacancies!! But it is true some recruiters do this – they have to. Some are targeted on new roles brought forward, business development calls made etc., but personally I genuinely like to know what options the candidate has and what their application activity is like.
Some people like to only work with a few specialist recruiters like myself to focus their search on quality opportunities and then benefit from a mutually beneficial relationship and that to me seems a good way to work. But….. and this is the point… some candidates I speak to tell me recruiter XXX has discussed a role with them, only briefly, very generally using terms like ‘they are a market leader’, ‘big company’, ‘surgical products specialist company’ and when the candidates says, great that sounds ideal WHO IS THE COMPANY?…… recruiter XXX becomes worryingly quiet and refuses to divulge the company name??? WHY?
Bizarre? Have they forgotten who their client company is? Are they actually recruiting for a genuine role? Or don’t they trust the candidate to keep the information confidential!? Even stranger the recruiter then sends the candidates CV to the mysterious company! Now this mostly happens when working with candidates looking to win their first role in the industry but occasionally it does happen to experienced candidates as well. I have always maintained that your CV is your personal property and you should always know what is happening to it and where it’s being sent! After all it’s your information and you should always be in control!
Do you trust your recruiter?
So my question is this, do you trust your recruiter? Have they given you all the information you need? Are they working in your best interests or their own? Do you know where your CV is being sent and why it’s been sent there?
If you answer no to any of these questions maybe it’s time to contact an experienced, ethical and specialist recruiter at LifeCore Consulting and experience the difference. We ALWAYS disclose the full company details to you before you decide to apply, why wouldn’t we? It’s the only way to work professionally!
Mark Britton:
Successfully and ethically connecting candidates and clients in the Medical Devices & Life Science sectors since 1994