"Don’t Be Subject to Gorilla Hire Techniques!"
07/16/25 Edition Stephen Says Column

Dear Stephen,

I’m a Vice President of Sales for a high-end residential luxury brand. I’m not out looking for a job, but whenever I get a call from a recruiter, someone like you, I take it. You never know!  

Recently, a headhunter called me about a high-end residential company that was looking for a vice president of sales. It was a nice brand. Although high end residential would be a new space for me, the customers are mostly the same. It’s a to-the-trade showroom with high end clients, decorators, interior designers, end-users, and hospitality clients. It’s a beautiful product and initially I was very intrigued. I also have to say you recruiters sure are good at your jobs! (This headhunter wasn’t even from our industry and yet he somehow got my name).

To fast forward a bit. . . wham, bam, after I interviewed with the recruiter, they had me in interviews with the President of the company within 48 hours, along with several consultants they use and some sales leaders who would be reporting into me. The whole thing was such a whirlwind that, to be honest, I had the breath knocked out of me. Less than a week later I was meeting with the board members! And two weeks after the initial call from the headhunter I was being offered a substantial six-figure job. I hadn’t even really had the time to consider it all or even discuss it in depth with my family.

I did some homework on the company and could tell they were hungry to get the position filled. But I didn’t expect such aggressive recruiting tactics. They always made me feel wanted but, I hate to say it, unfortunately they seemed desperate!

There are many recruiters within our industry, the “interiors industry”, but since this recruiter was from outside the industry they didn’t understand how to communicate with me or why I had the questions I did about the job; questions like ‘why is it priced this way?’ The stuff people just get when they come from the industry; industry-related questions that this recruiter couldn’t answer.

Needless to say, I’m passing on the position, although I was at first genuinely interested. It was the arm twisting along with the fact that I already have a great job that scared me off. The bottom line is, have you heard of a company rolling out a job offer so fast? I don’t even know if they called my references!

Signed,
Staying Put

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Dear Staying,

This is what I call ‘gorilla hiring’ tactics! It is the trademark of companies that are desperate to make a new hire.

It’s very common in a company that’s desperate for revenue and looking for a strong sales leader. Congratulations to you for getting an offer that fast because chances are you are an excellent candidate – it’s not as uncommon as you think when someone is good. In fact, it’s smart of a company to offer you a job fast. It’s just poor form that you were able to tell they were desperate.

Although you didn’t say who owns this company, the tactic you are describing is very common amongst private equity owned companies. I hear about private equity owned companies using generic recruiters from finance or their ‘old boy’ network. These same companies have unrealistic revenue expectations because they’re looking to sell the company and get a quick return on their investment, so they’re looking for a proven professional, which it sounds like you are, who can jumpstart sales. With that comes an awful lot of pressure from whoever is above you.

Here is a message to the hiring companies:

Never let the candidate see how pressured you are for a hire! Additionally, you and whoever may be helping you with the search should absolutely avoid these gorilla strong-arm techniques. Quality candidates are in demand. . . and they are smart! If they see you sweat, it will scare them. My advice to the hiring company is never let them see you in panic mode.

And my advice to you, Mr. Staying, is you probably did the right thing. Keep taking those calls from headhunters though! You sound like an excellent candidate to me.


Signed,
Stephen

 

Stephen Viscusi is the founder of www.viscusigroup.com, an executive search firm that specializes in the interior furnishings industry. Hires made through The Viscusi Group are guaranteed a one-year free replacement. Please share your story or comment on this article and send your workplace questions to stephen@viscusigroup.com. Or give us a call at (212) 979-5700 ext. 101.
 
© Stephen Viscusi 2025

 

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