Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Why I Won't Play with Old-Fashioned, Rude Healthcare IT Recruiters

Like many experienced people in healthcare IT, software product management, and advisory consulting services, I get more than a few inquiries - cold and warm - from recruiters about opportunities that “are a perfect fit for you based on my assessment of your LinkedIn profile. You're a great candidate for this high-paying position just a few blocks from your home and we have great benefits! And you can bring your dog to work in your underwear!” 

Historically I've ignored most of these. To be sure, I do like working in my underwear. (Sorry for that image) But I do ignore these silly offers, especially nowadays, because I’m not looking for full-time employment. I do the work I want to do and I’ve been happy with what I'm doing; all on my own, free from corporate BS. I'm paying my bills. I go on vacations every few months.

Always Be Open to Serendipitous Opportunities

So, a couple of weeks ago I got an email from a corporate recruiter with a specialty Electronic Health Records (EHR) company here in Phoenix. The email stood out. It was a non-traditional pitch for a product manager opportunity that seemed like a good fit; short and to the point. Its wording implied whoever wrote it had a unique way to reach this passive candidate. To be sure, it wasn’t the usual solicitation we all get:
  • Templated response with mail merge errors 
  • A request for salary history and three references
  • An offer for an entry level project manager position in the construction industry in Qatar - with commission opportunities!

So, I thought: Why not? I’ll give it a shot. At least I’ll likely meet some local healthcare IT people. At best I may hook up with a company where I can really add major value. What can I lose? I succumbed to the recruiter’s pithy email come-on and the out of the box “job description.”

But a Sucker is Resurrected Every Minute

Boy was I ever fooled! Here’s How:

After some back and forth, a 'quick call' was scheduled. It lasted 45 minutes. The recruiter shared insight into what people like me want to know:
  • What the key skills and qualities for the opportunity demand
  • Who the position would be interacting with and take direction from
  • What most important business expertise and technical skills are required
  • And more that I won't go into here
She Hooked Me!

I got a good feeling about the opportunity. I started to think: "How am I going to unravel the contracts I have with current clients?" I was told this fast rising specialty EHR company was on a fast-track! They needed to fill this position quickly. They've been looking for a while and not finding anyone qualified! I received an emphatic “you seem like a perfect fit.” Yes!  

So I sent over a hastily updated resume. (Who actually has a resume these days? Another subject for another day)

Wait, Wait & Wait Some More

Fast forward one week: no response. I thought "No big deal. They reached out to me.
I wait another week: Nada!
Now two weeks+ and I wait some more. Nada!

So, after two+ weeks, this creative, out of the box, wear sandals and bring your dog to work cool software place, Dot-Com Wannabee EHR company can't even bear send an email to say: "Bear with us as we continue our review." 

Not even a "Can you tell us more about XYZ?" 
Not even a “Thanks but no thanks!” 
Not even a clever, witty response like “Beat it raw fuzz nuts!” 

Why Isn't Closure Provided to 'Candidates?'

So, I inquired. I got a vague response to the effect of “We have a new person involved and need more time.”

Really? Two plus weeks for a senior position that YOU reached out to me about? After I clearly stated before we even spoke that I wasn't currently looking for a job? And this ‘seasoned recruiter’ doesn’t have the common sense, basic courtesy and integrity to take 30 seconds to send an email informing someone THEY reached out to as to the status of the opportunity? 

Any company that treats strangers like this, that THEY reach out to so poorly, is a company that EVERYONE should be wary of working for.

And this company splashes the word “Integrity” all over their job descriptions!

Nope. No integrity at all

Now I know. If anyone is ever looking to work for an EHR vendor here in Phoenix – and there aren’t many – shoot me an email and I’ll let you know more about this company.