I Fell Into The Trap

I’ve been recruiting for 22 years. I started my business with a fax machine and a phone. I made hundreds of phone calls every day and got a good percentage of return calls. Then, things began to change. My fax machine was replaced by email. My hard copy resumes are really only used as note paper. The electronic copies are the ones I forward to my clients. Recruiting is done through networks and portals – electronically.

And I have been complaining about it……. Where’s the personal touch. Recruiters add more to the mix than just forwarding paper from one website to another. We do preliminary interviews. We prequalify. We complete the story. We get to know the person behind the resume and in doing so help with finding the right person to fit the corporate culture. Not everything can be done electronically.

But then, a candidate called yesterday when I was working on a posting that would go to 300 college professors. I know I was short with him. Didn’t he understand that he was one person whose resume was moving through the system and I was working on something that would reach many more? Oh, no! What happened to my commitment to the personal touch?

And then, this morning I find an article on my desk entitled “Has technology shortchanged your communication skills?” Now, I’m fully convicted…and reformed in less than 24 hours. My posts are important. I have to work in the 21st century workplace. But, my commitment to the need for personal interaction is renewed. If you call me and want to talk, I’ll listen. If I cut you short, tell me to read my own blog!