| April 5, 2009 | Posted By: Trevor Wilson | Category: Recruiters |
Most of the time that I spend working on this site is dedicated to sharing Entry Level Job advice from both myself and other experts. As the job search process can often be long and stressful (especially for new grads), I try to keep the information that I share as positive and encouraging as possible.
However, today I feel like ranting. The topic?
Predatory Recruiters.
Shortly after landing my first job (post graduation), I started getting phone calls from a recruiter at a medium-sized financial services company. When the first call came, I was in the process of moving out of my parents house and into my new apartment. I kindly informed him that I was no longer on the market, but thanked him for his time. I didn’t think any more about it.
While I was initially flattered, there were two things that bothered me. First, I didn’t apply to the job he was talking about. He had found my resume in a Resume Book that was published by my faculty. Second, the job involved selling financial products (mutual funds, etc.) on a commission-only basis to my friends and family. In order to make money, I had to pressure my loved ones into buying something that they probably didn’t want through guilt – not something I was interested in. This was over four years ago now and I still get irritated when I think about it. The fact that he called my parents house five more times (in one week intervals) asking the same question just solidified my resolve and frustration.
What really rubs me the wrong way is that there are a huge number of new grads out there who are in desperate need of an Entry Level Job. This need is amplified in the current economy where first time job seekers are competing for jobs against candidates who have more experience. Take into account the staggering student debt that many people carry and it makes things even worse.
It really gets to me that people may be put into a situation like this where they are forced to proposition their family and friends just to get by. I can’t imagine the stress that this would put on a family where finances may already be tightened by the economic downturn. Even the toll on your network of peers must be hard to bear. This type of predatory recruiting (which takes advantage of recent graduates) really bugs me.
I have no problem with incentive pay for new grads, but only if it is part of a larger compensation package and doesn’t involve being forced to sell to family and friends. I believe strongly in the fact that you should be paid for the work that you do and you shouldn’t be put into compromising positions by your employer. Too lofty a goal? Maybe, but it’s one I feel strongly about.
Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment…
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I wholeheartedly agree with you! These kinds of things are one way to get me severely incensed. Before I wised up, started my career-search blog, and began networking smarter, I struggled a whole lot in 2008. Actually, that’s kind of an understatement. I had a very brief gig with one of these predatory places you’re speaking of, selling life insurance. It was such a short gig, and such a negative experience, and so irrelevant to anything I actually want to do, that I don’t include it on my resume’.
Unfortunately, I was there long enough for the lack of real income to wipe out my meager savings. And the independent-contractor status, with NO guidance how to handle things tax-wise, created a whole ‘nother mess I still have yet to sort through completely.
I often warn my fellow young job-searchers, many of whom are just as scared and frustrated as I was then, by word of mouth. I’ll probably put up my own post about it eventually, but I don’t know how to do so without committing the Huge Job-searcher Red Flag No-No of trash-talking former employers.
That’s terrible! I have never heard of something like this before. As a recent grad, I know that if I hadn’t found my current job I probably would have gone with such an offer just out of desperation. I would hate to be in that situation though.
You hit the nail on the head. This is a bad situation for any new grad to be in. Congratulations for getting out while you could.
Thanks for the comment!
Agreed. It just left a sour taste in my mouth. It also made me realize that I had to be sure that I reviewed all job offers and not blindly jump into first first one that came my way!
Thanks for the comment!