During tough economic times, some recruiters may feel
tempted to engage in practices that are not illegal but may be considered
unethical by others. We all want to engage in ethical behavior; but how does a
recruiter draw the line between, playing tough and playing
unfair/unethically? Let's take a
look what ethical recruiters need to look out for when aiming to be fair during
hard times:
- Be
honest. Don't use deception
to secure clients or candidates. Many candidates have complained that
recruiters have engaged in "cattle calls" for jobs that don't
exist. While others
misrepresent the benefits of a job, especially salary. Also, avoid "inflating"
a lackluster candidate's experience and competency simply to secure a job
order. Being honest will
increase the chances that your business will survive the recession and
beyond.
- Treat
everyone with dignity and respect.
Right now the job market is tight for candidates; however that does
not mean that it is okay to disrespect a candidate. If a candidate has taken the time
to submit an appropriate resume and has taken your assessments, you should
take the time to respond with at least a thank you email. This can be an
automated process. It's tough out there for candidates and a little
compassion can go a long way.
- Submit
candidates with class. If you are attempting promote candidates, do not submit candidates to firms unless they
have pre-approved the submission.
Do not in any circumstances ‘blast’ their resume to multiple firms
hoping for a hit.
Editor's note: If you would like to more about ethical guidelines for recruiters, please visit http://www.nalsc.org/.