Bogus recruiting calls

[raeoflyte]

Some guy just called my work #, saying that he found my profile on LinkedIn, and that he wanted to talk to me about a VP position with a salary that is more than twice my current one.

He didn't come across as very polished, but even if he had I still wouldn't have believed him. If I could just walk into that kind of income--don't you think I would have by now? Plus, I know my work # isn't listed on Linkedin, and I'm just not high profile enough (at all!) for someone to do an extra google search for that info.

I suppose it could have been for a sales position with a fancy title. I almost wish I had kept talking to him so I could know what kind of bs he was selling.

Anyone else run into these kinds of things? Years ago I remember getting random calls from supposed 'headhunters'. What kinds of companies are these people usually working for?

[Deleted]

Sometimes they "do it with mirrors"- find the job applicant, then find the job. So, he may not actually know of a job oping that fits your specs, but if you take the bait and send him a resume he'll go look for one.

They're not always bogus- one reached me on LinkedIn- she must have called the switchboard at my company since I don't put my phone number on it, either- but it was a real job with a company she named, and she was very knowledgeable about the niche business they were in. Problem was, the job was in Manchester, NH, shich is cold and very high COL.

[alabamagal]

Used to get a lot of them several years ago. Before Lindkedin and all the other social media, they usually got names and numbers from other people where you work (or who know your work number). The easiest way to get rid of them is to give them someone elses number.

It used to be a good way to make contacts (before Linkedin) and probably still is. Most of these get paid by filling a job and can be pretty aggressive, but usually worth a talk if you are looking. If not, just give them a friend (or enemies!) number.

[raeoflyte]

I went and checked my LinkedIn profile and it was years old with the wrong company and title. (Same industry, but vastly different role--and this new job he had is in my current field).

I'd love to think that someone thought enough of me to research state licenses and could see how incredibly wonderful and skilled I am, but I doubt it. ;D

If he had said he got my name from someone I knew, I probably would have talked to him a little bit.

[Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ]

Anyone else run into these kinds of things? Years ago I remember getting random calls from supposed 'headhunters'. What kinds of companies are these people usually working for?

Yes...nearly everyday...but mostly via email. Many of these recruiters are looking to build up their resume inventory.

[souldoubt]

I've been working at my current job for over 4 years. I still get contacted by recruiters who I spoke with 4+ years ago and even some that I never even had contact with.

[joebanker]

Calls from recruiters are standard in commercial banking. I normally get 3 to 4 a month and just tell them no thanks I'm happy whereI'm at but thanks for thinking of me.

JoeBanker

[Deleted]

I'm lucky in that there are some recruiters who specialize in my field (actuaries) and they even show up at meetings. I think this is a positive thing; they get familiar with the issues and the work, and get to know people and companies. I made my last job move in a terrible market (early 2002) because a recruiter I knew well called someone who had been recently promoted at this company and told him he HAD to talk to me! If a good one calls with a specific position they're trying to fill, even if I don't know someone who can fill the position I try to give them a good lead. With the recruiter I mentioned earlier, I knew someone who had just retired from doing similar work. I made it clear that she was very happy in retirement, but might know someone else who had that type of experience.

I figure I might need one of the good ones someday, so I'm nice to them.

[cytoglycerine]

I once worked under a boss who was so insecure about her ability and her staff's loyalty to her and the company that she had one of her personal friends (who works as a head hunter) call up each of us in the department to see if we were interested in "new opportunities"...After the 2nd or 3rd phone call, we wised up to the game she was playing. Unfortunately, I was the first person the head hunter called, so I didn't get the chance to mess around and cause some rukus lol But seriously, can you imagine the nerve? Jeeez!

[raeoflyte]

This guys hard sell on the big salary is what really irked me. In this market you really don't have to search for people in my field looking for work. Plus--how can he possibly know what caliber of employee I am and if I should have a certain job based on a LinkedIn profile that I created?

If he said someone referred him to me I would have been more polite.

The best 'headhunters' in my industry are the sales reps for our MI companies. Since they have contacts and visit with all of the companies in town, they are the first I call when I know someone needs an employee, or if someone needs a job.

[raeoflyte]

Mar 23, 2011 15:08:08 GMT -5 @cytoglycerine said:

I once worked under a boss who was so insecure about her ability and her staff's loyalty to her and the company that she had one of her personal friends (who works as a head hunter) call up each of us in the department to see if we were interested in "new opportunities"...After the 2nd or 3rd phone call, we wised up to the game she was playing. Unfortunately, I was the first person the head hunter called, so I didn't get the chance to mess around and cause some rukus lol But seriously, can you imagine the nerve? Jeeez!

I think that would upset me enough to complain to HR. What on earth did the boss think she would get if she found out someone was looking to move on?

[Elizabeth]

Mar 23, 2011 17:32:24 GMT -5 @toughtimes said:

You have to be very careful. I had one company call me and when I investigated, it turned out that they put "salesmen" on draw against commission at high interest rates. In other words, waste your time trying in vain to sell a lousy product and pay interest on the money advanced against your non-existent commission. Talk about a rip-off, work for free and owe money. This beats the old, "I owe my soul to the company store" of mining days.

Another one to beware of is anyone who offers you a job receiving and cashing checks for them. It probably is obvious to all here, but all the checks will bounce and you will receive legal troubles and lose money.

I just got an e-mail for something like this. It was actually pretty good until I saw the last part where it started talking about Western Union. I really thought about replying and saying seriously, who falls for this? But I didn't want to open that can of worms.

[Elizabeth]

Mar 23, 2011 18:43:58 GMT -5 @toughtimes said:

Do what I did. I got one of those fake letters and I wrote an article about it, posted it on an internet writing site and get paid royalties per view too. Not bad for spitework.

Very nice!