"Looking for a New Job? Upload Your Resume Directly!" - 8/22/18 Edition
Stephen Says Column

 Dear Stephen:
 

 I keep sending my resume to you and other recruiters across the country. I have been at a dealer for the last six years, and I could not be more ready to make the move to a manufacturer.
 
 It seems I never get a call back from a recruiter or when I do, it’s about a job I would never want. Why is it you headhunters are always talking the talk but then when the rubber meets the road, I am always left out in the lurch? Why can’t a placement agency help me find a job?
 
 Headhunter Hater
 

 Dear Hater,

 
 I am always hearing this question. Whether you’re a disappointed sales person or CEO, your frustration is not alone. People seem to think there is a business model out there designed to help people like you find employment. To be frank, this is simply not how the world works.
 
 A headhunter or placement agency (the terms are interchangeable) will always work on behalf of the hiring company. These are the people paying our fee. The result of our work is that someone will inevitably land a job. It is, however, impossible for us to be certain it will be you who ends up with the job. The hiring decision at the end of the day will always be that of the hiring company.
 
 As much as I wish we had a service where I received a fee for placing people looking for work, that is not how it goes. The people looking for work cannot afford to pay us but companies who are hiring certainly can.
 
 Hopefully this better illustrates to you what a recruiter does. We are a middle man introducing you to a possible employer. In most cases, the recruiter doesn’t even have the ability to influence a hiring decision but rather can only work to get you in front of the client. A smart company will always make their own hiring decisions.
 
 Myself and my fellow recruiters will almost always tell a candidate (like yourself) calling about a job the same thing: You should identify companies where you want to work, go to the “employment” section of that company’s website and upload your resume. Even if you do not see a job posting that you are specifically interested in, sometimes making sure your resume is already in their system can make all the difference. Before hiring a headhunter or even running an ad, a smart manufacturer will always check their own records first to find qualified candidates.
 
 Viscusi says: Rely on yourself, not anyone else. I know it is a cliché, but networking is key. My own secret is that you should not be afraid to reach out and apply directly to any company that you wish to work for. Fortune favors the bold!
 
 Best,
 
 Stephen

  You can send your workplace questions to Stephen at: StephenSays@bellow.press
 
 Questions selected to be answered, will appear in this column. Please use the Subject: Stephen Says for all emails. Stephen Viscusi is a bestselling author, television personality, and CEO of The Viscusi Group, global executive recruiters located in New York. Follow Stephen on Twitter @stephenviscusi, Like Stephen on Facebook; and follow him on LinkedIn.