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Job-seekers despairing at the lack of opportunities are lashing out at recruiters - shouting, swearing and demanding that they put them forward for roles even if they are unsuitable. Agents being strong-armed into submitting a CV, even when its author fails to meet the job specification, is a growing reality at more than half of recruitment firms. The reading from the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, whose members supply IT staff, provides a glimpse at the stress the recession is causing ‘on the ground.’ Six in every ten of the agents said they had recently spent time dealing with candidates who became ‘emotional’ or ‘upset’ as a result of being made redundant. One in five has suffered verbal abuse from a candidate, and more than twice that number cited a greater onus on them to show more patience in all their dealings. “There is always a tendency in a recession for employers to think in a short-term way and … [this] does lead to some aggression from rightly frustrated candidates,” said the REC’s Rachel Hanley-Browne, the founder of recruitment firm Resourcefulpeople. But while demands from candidates are increasing, as are client expectations given the talent pool has widened, recruiters claimed to be using the pressures to up their game. Nearly 70 per cent insisted the recession had made them better recruiters, while more than a third claimed candidates were showing them more respect because of the tougher conditions. Kevin Green, the REC’s chief executive, confirmed that the recession was separating recruiters into two camps: the defeatists, and those who were rising to the challenge. Much of that challenge centres on employers changing their minds at the last-minute and deciding not to recruit, even after candidates have endured up to five interviews. And whereas a year ago agents may have had to chase candidates onto their books, today’s focus is on getting them not to bombard companies with multiple applications for jobs they are unlikely to secure. In a further sign of the times, and to help tackle the tantrums, the REC has set up a new body, the Institute of Recruitment Professionals, tasked to raise standards and show clients and candidates what reputable recruiters have to offer. Jun 25, 2009 Email this article Printer friendly page Previous Page
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