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<p class=MsoNormal>I want to send an open letter to all of you that feel both
used and abused by people in my industry. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>It makes me very sad, but I see this behaviour on an almost
daily basis (you think tech recruiters are bad – you haven’t
encountered the recruiters that recruit recruiters to work at another recruiter
– aka R2Rs.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Those of us that got into it to work with start-ups, chat to
people about topics we find interesting and – most importantly –
provide an important service in helping people find a job they LOVE end up
getting exasperated and leaving. This is mostly because we are the intelligent
ones (it does help if your recruiter holds a degree or two from a good uni. It’s
not foolproof – but a start) and means that you get left dealing with the
idiots.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Some advice from a recruiter that might help ease the blood pressure:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span><![endif]>Don’t get angry at the idiots. Most of them can
barely string a sentence together and work in environments similar to a Victorian
work house. They see anger as a challenge, as they have the emotional
intelligence of a stone. Instead, say politely that you will not use them ever.
They will stop.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span><![endif]>Use this – <a
href="https://github.com/drcongo/spammy-recruiters/blob/master/spammers.txt">https://github.com/drcongo/spammy-recruiters/blob/master/spammers.txt</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span><![endif]>Remember that a good recruiter is very easy to spot –
they will know what they are talking about, use only one method of
communication and will not argue, but listen and discuss.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>4.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span><![endif]>If they use ‘brogrammer’ chat – it probably
makes them more of an idiot than the actual idiots. This also applies if they
are drinking / smoking cigars in their linkedin photo.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>5.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span><![endif]>If they offer lots of jobs at once – ignore them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>6.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span><![endif]>If they don’t share the company name –
ignore them. This is to “protect” them from having other recruiters
knowing. If they work closely with the company, this will not matter!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>7.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span><![endif]>If they say they like the look of your github –
ask them why. If they can’t answer – ignore them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>8.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span><![endif]>The levels of superlative use are in direct correlation
with the stupidity of the recruiter.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>9.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span><![endif]>Use recommendations – the best recruiters will be
recommended to developers by developers. This creates a basis for trust and
helps promote those that are worth speaking to!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>10.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span><![endif]>If you receive a message like the ones posted from
anyone at my company – let me know.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>I hope this helps and would be happy to offer my services
from this side of the fence to anyone who seeks career advice, interesting
places to find a job, or the best agencies to speak to.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>I only work in European mainland recruitment now – I couldn’t
bear the vitriol here! But can recommend several agencies that will provide a meaningful
service to London based developers.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Kind regards,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'>Matthew Bradburn</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'>Team Lead</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:gray'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:gray'>Matthew.bradburn@njfeurope.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:black'>NJF Europe Ltd<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:gray'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:gray'>91-94 Saffron Hill, Clerkenwell, London, EC1N 8QP<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:gray'>+44 (0)20 7604 4444 Switchboard
– <b>London</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:gray'>+44 (0)20 7625 6666 Fax<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:gray'>+44 (0)20 3589 3223 Direct line<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:gray'>NJFEUROPEMB
Skype<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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