You said what?!?

I'll never forget this story as long as I live.  It was my second week on the headhunting gig; a complete novice in the world of business.  The whole deal was that we essentially had a blueprint of what to say when you solicited a prospective client.  This is so and so, and I was just calling to see how things were going, and would like to find out if you might be open to exploring your options at this point.

So I'm in recruiting in DC, where egos a large and attentions span short.  For a novice headhunter, that spells trouble.  I dial in to this very large, prestigious firm there and ask for man x.  Man x answers simply by saying his last name, a very cocky, dick head like move.  I launch into my premeditated routine, but he cuts me off right in the middle... " Do you have any idea who I am? "  Surprised and stuttering, I try to read his name from my list, but he interjects.

" I'll have you know that I am the managing partner of this firm, and that carries tremendous clout and power. "

At that point, something visceral overtook me and I said,  " You are a FUCKING asshole! "  And then, just as quickly, I hung up.  As I gathered myself, a mixture of fear, anxiety, and delight overtook.

What had I just done?  Had I just ruined my firm's reputation? My emotional reaction was not good... this I knew. Yet, part of me felt so satisfied.  I know... that's fucked up right?

I made my way to my boss's office; standing at the door in a state of flummoxed confusion.

" Umm.... I think I just fucked up. " My boss looked up from her work, rolling her eyes.  " What did you do? "  " Well... I just told this partner dude in DC to go fuck himself.  "

" You did what?!?  You CAN'T do that..."  At that moment the phone rang.  Guess who?  Yep... the asshole.  HAHAHA

Seated now, I listened to the call develop.  This is what I heard from my boss:

"  Yes, yes this is the CEO of the headhunting outfit ."  Shaking head....
" Yes... that is my employee."  shaking head...
"Uhuh, uhuh, I understand... you are the managing partner of your firm in DC...

Her eyes now rolling, clearly annoyed.   "He called you a what?!?.... really?!?  Uhuhhh... uhuhh....
Well, if the shoe fits!"

And she hung up, motioning me back to my office.

the headhunting stigma...

Recruiting became fantastically popular during the internet boom of 1998-2000.  Everybody, it seemed could, would, and did become a recruiter.  The perception, and rightfully so, was based on the notion that any schmuck, regardless of talent, could simply pick up the phone, make a few calls, and presto; a big fat check awaited you.

While this notion was somewhat untrue, it was rooted in truth.  And not surprisingly, that truth gave rise to some nasty, and very true perceptions.

We are lazy. We skim off the work of the hard working, people who slave away their lives, 12 hours a day.  And then we come in and a few calls later, we've made our keep for the next quarter.  And not a paltry one at that.  It might take us a few hours, but goddammit, we come off looking good, paid, and soot free.  No dirty work for us.  I mean, how hard could it really be?  Identify a hiring party(which in those days was like finding a leaf on the ground of a fall day).  Ask them what they're looking for, then go find it.

Any douche bag with half  a brain can do that...  and then you're going to pay me 25% of the starting salary!!!  Fuckin' ehhh right you are.  I deserve it, after all... I made what?  50 calls to find you the right guy.  Pay me my fucking money; and be quick about it!!

While this might be a bit exaggerated, the notion that headhunters are interchangeable moles became the perception of the work force at large.  My clients, lawyers,  have quite a bit of fun behind my back, I'm sure.  " Hey, did you get that e-mail from that goof??? "  " Yeh... I got it, he probably e-mailed the whole fucking firm.  " HAHAHAHA.

Well guess what asshole, I did.  And not only that, I will do it every quarter, on the quarter.

So...  are we worthy of our stigma?

Perhaps not.  Then again... perception is reality.