I love the way LinkedIn makes it obvious that people are interviewing…”XX is now connected to MD/HR director at 5 rival firms”

This started a few chats off, in particular one with Rich Millington about how you can use LinkedIn as a really low cost recruitment tool.

1. Step one link to everyone you know, have worked with and respect in the industry – build your network properly and it will benefit you both to source future opps yourself and to hire people along the way

2. Join relevant industry groups

3. Consistently look in the network news section for people that recently befriend three or four HR types at other agencies or a group of people from an agency they don’t work for and check out their creds (on LinkedIn and elsewhere on the web / WOM)

4. Compile shortlist

5. Call them

Bob’s your Ma’s bro.

You don’t really even need to click on a link to see I am in PR, corp and tech, live in Cornwall and am fairly keen on the whole flexible work business. It’s my thing, you could say.

Not if you were the very pleasant but not very well prepared headhunter that called me this week.  Or indeed the one that called two weeks ago.

Oh no.

Now, first I thought it was a one off, then it happened twice.  So I’m going to blog it. Here’s how it went:

“Got your name blah, interested in a very senior position etc good agency blah…did name them but I shan’t”

Me: “OK, I should stop you there, do you know that I am based in Cornwall” explain virtual office concept/flexible ethic etc

“Oh, they wouldn’t go for that, it is senior role and involves building a team you see”

Hmmm…..now I should have said, “Oh.  Sorry, I thought it involved stuffing envelopes from home, you got the wrong gal then”  or even, “no thanks love, i am very happy where I am” instead, I went on to try to defend my role and my lifestyle.  I even started blathering on the whole “agencies have to wake up, if they want to keep good people” blarney and I didn’t even want the job.

To be fair to the one tonight, she did listen to my ego rant and I am sure she will make sure she Googles people in future before she calls them.  And strangely, for the first time in my 12 year career, I felt real empathy with the shitey old untargeted pitches that journalists consistently moan about receiving from my industry.  So maybe it is karma

Rant over. And yes, I am aware I will probably NEVER get a headhunter offer again…..thank f@@@ for social networks then eh!