Bob

People do know the industry though....it's why a lot of recruiters just blanket harvest monster/careerbuilder etc and spam people in hopes of picking up clients.

Not all are like that, but more than not, that's the experience.

NorthernLad

I think this article says it all.....

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/em...posed-1.689523

scrubbedexpat141

I've just read this entire thread and am embarrassed.

I work in recruitment and if I worked in an office with the OP I'd be ashamed.

Whilst the majority on here put the recruiter / head hunter below an estate agent or tax collector, I quite enjoy it. I won't ever profess to earn more than the collective, but I will work hard to earn as much as I can (that's what everyone is here for, those that say it's not are just deceiving themselves). All of course, while enjoying myself and being able to talk to people in my industry about projects that I've had people involved in, or that I know about, or that fascinate me etc. Recruiters that take no interest in their industry and the biggest arseholes. Fact.

It generally F**Ks me off when I can work as hard as I can, delivering quality and being as open in the process with all parties as possible; to just be lumped in with the drivel this industry holds. BUT that is part and parcel of the job, 99% of you dislike recruiters and have done for a long time for numerous reasons but unfortunately until you find the one or two you can trust to bring you what you need or get you where you WANT to go then you'll just continue to hate them.

The overall opinion will just not ever change, same as estate agents (they really are a bunch of fascists.)

Saj786

what an interesting thread - having been in recruitment for 7+ years and currently running my own UAE based company, I can tell you that you need to be thick-skinned, unfortunately the industry has a bad name and its difficult to prove yourself no matter how good you are unless there is demonstrable evidence or someone impartial can testify

this girl who started this thread should really get down her high horse ! I would hate to think how she would treat a candidate turning down an offer or a client withdrawing an offer !!

co durham boy

The girl in this thread was testimony to her grand profession....

scrubbedexpat141

Very kind of you, nice to see someone recognising it as a profession...

Blue Cat

I think it is a Profession

scrubbedexpat141

haha, thanks!

I was just being facetious. There's a justifiably poor opinion of recruiters. I just feel the need to explain that we aren't all that bad...but in a way that doesn't lump me in with the rest...I should hope.

Blue Cat

I think people who work in specialist recruitment have quite a tough job, they have to come up with the goods I respect anyone works hard unlike half the slobs in the UK who feel they have a right to live of the state.

scrubbedexpat141

It's easier than some jobs but harder than others, that's how I look at it. I couldn't build a bridge or commission a power plant and so show the respect the candidates and clients deserve...but with the right information I can certainly find you the man (or woman) to do so.

To be honest, it's a motivator to get away from the UK; my generation will be the downfall or at least a bloody great expensive nuisance.

Can't stand the money-grabbing, do-nothing, blame-everyone sort of mentality that so many have who are my age or similar.

Saj786

It certainly is a tough job - I think the key thing is to have a "consultative" approach. A good recruiter will take time in understanding a requirement and be well positioned to subconsciously know where this person will ultimately come from (if they really are a "specialist")

Once someone has been identified, its the recruiters job to determine if there is common ground between the candidate and clients requirement. Afterall, the whole point of a recruiter is to save the clients time.

For those recruiters who just match words and looking to make a quick buck are obviously in this for the short term and are the ones that give Recruitment "Consultants" a bad name

I must also comment that those managers who set un-realistic / ambitious KPI's can at times result in employees sending out not relevant CV's just to hit their numbers - that is not how recruitment is done - another way in how the industry gets a bad name.

scrubbedexpat141

Spot on.

Blue Cat

you might find working here interesting

scrubbedexpat141

You will undoubtedly be 100% correct.

The fortunate thing I have is that both the Director in charge and the Manager who recruited me are people I know and have worked for and with before...hoping it's gives me an advantage in terms of knowing their positives and pitfalls before even starting.

Fingers crossed anyway.

Saj786

I know recruitment firms in dubai who have this policy where you need to spend x time on the phone, send x cv's per day, achieve x interviews per week etc....

You simply cannot set these numbers as the work is all market dependent.

Just as well I work for myself - none of these KPI and stats crap to worry about - I would rather send one good CV out in a whole week rahter than 10 crap ones a day just to hit my numbers.

sross: have you looked into how strict this new role in UAE will be RE KPI's ?