While keeping their goals and promises at par, recruiters often indulge in lies to swim through a pool of candidates, and bait the right fish. This CareerStint post gives you a quick insight of the top 10 lies that recruiters tell you.
If you think hiring professionals is expensive, try hiring amateurs. – Unknown
Beware. And this time we do not mean of dogs or thieves. Whilst you are on the hunt for that perfect job with binocular eyes, your recruiter that you consider would wave a green flag at the right moment, may just be passing you a slippery bunch of lies. We know that lying on a resume is a professional sin, but what about those who get you to your (dream) job? Does lying surpass recruiters, and are they always on the ethical front with a clean slate? No. Not really.
Most of you will be surprised to know that recruiters and those in agencies or corporates, more often than not, do lie to candidates. In most cases, it is a white lie. In some, they are absolutely not aware of the misleading talk, which is a lie. A few recruiters also do this to lure candidates into a job that may not be exactly suitable for him/her. Honestly, there also remains a strong reason, that sometimes there is a huge pool of candidates for recruiters to deal with. Managing time, expectations, fluctuating markets, and putting everyone in the right place in nothing less than a jigsaw puzzle (with tiny segments) to be solved.
Whatever the reason, a lie with any intention, is a lie. We expect some straightforward business and professional attitude. Yet again, recruiters are only human, and so, a little fibbing here and there is bound to happen. Let us check what these few bad apples may lie about to escape a rainy day.
10 Lies Recruiters Tell You
The Lie – “We will keep your resume on file for any future opportunities.”
Decoded:
“Yes of course, what did you think. I am never going to take it out of my recycle bin!”
Now that is an achievement. (Really?) Would you fall for that? Most candidates would feel on top of the world. Understand that when a recruiter tells you he is keeping your CV on file, there are going to be many ‘other CVs on file’ too. Which means, it is going to be in a big cabinet or lost in hundred others. Once it is out of his sight, it is out of his mind. Clearly a sign; look out for another option.
The Lie – “We shall be in touch.”
Decoded:
You definitely don’t fit this position. Please call back only after three months, when there is another opening for another job perhaps.”
No matter how convincing and supportive this sounds, know that it is a lie (in 99% of the cases). A smooth way of telling the candidate that he clearly does not fit the bill.
The Lie – “You will soon hear from us / We will contact you once you are shortlisted.”
Decoded:
“Don’t hold your breath in anticipation. We are looking for other options. Please don’t apply elsewhere till were are sure we want to reject you.”
Now here is the catch, there are two possibilities, (and one of which is good) behind this lie. Maybe they would seriously call you in a week or so, because they are not sure if they want to hire you. But you may also never hear back from them. Or perhaps, you would get an email stating that you are no longer on the list for contention. Closure. (Neat and clean).
The Lie – “You are shortlisted, but we have not finished interviewing.”
Decoded:
“You are plan B. We are waiting for better candidates (Plan A) to accept our offer, so we can reject you after that. “
Sounds fair enough, when they say they have not finished interviewing yet. But, it still means they want to look out for better options than you. Or they may have even shortlisted contenders. Whatever the case, you remain on shaky ground.
The Lie – “Sorry. The clients have changed their demands and requirements.”
Decoded:
“You were apt for this position. Which is why I promised you this job. But now I have a better candidate on file. I am dumping you.”
A recruiter has the highest powers, at least when it comes to shortlisting. This one goes as a foolproof statement. You cannot question the recruiter as to why and how. In rare cases, this statement is genuine. However, most of the time, it means they promised you, but found a better fish which could swim in their shallow waters. *Poooff! And you are gone.
The Lie – “Salary always depends on your work experience. We cannot quote you an exact amount now.”
Decoded:
“Give me an idea of your expectations, so that I know if you fit the ballpark figure (with no scope for negotiation).”
This is a clean way of closing the door for any negotiations in salary that you are expecting. The recruiter knows what he can offer. He will simply say this to extract numbers from you. Once he gets an idea, he will decide how long the conversation should continue, and how soon to delete your resume.
The Lie – “You have a very impressive CV, but you are too qualified and experienced for this job.”
Decoded:
“You are too experienced, which makes us insecure. You are confident, but we want to hire somebody on a lesser salary, who we can boss around with. Maybe you are too old as well.”
In many cases, candidates are highly qualified, apt, and too good. But that is threatening for some recruiters. Perhaps, they want a candidate who would work at half the salary that you are demanding.
The Lie – “You are the best contender on the list till now.”
Decoded:
“Now that you are shortlisted, I want you to stay until this position is filled (by you or someone else). I hope you are flattered enough to stick to us and complete further rounds.
They will flatter you to make sure you do not leave their grounds, once they get you close to shortlisting. So all this is going to keep you engaged until further processing.
The Lie
“I got your information through a colleague, who recommended you. I cannot reveal his identity though.”
Decoded:
“Now that you are shortlisted, I want you to stay until this position is filled (by you or someone else). I hope you are flattered enough to stick to us and complete further rounds.
They will flatter you to make sure you do not leave their grounds, once they get you close to shortlisting. So all this is going to keep you engaged until further processing.
The Lie
“I think you fit the profile very well, and I would definitely get you there soon. Let me talk to my colleagues and they will get back to you.”
Decoded:
“This job has disappeared for you. So I am going to tell the operator never to put your calls across. And yes, if you finally make it to talking or meeting me, I will show shock and surprise that you have not been called!”
Follow-ups do happen. But in certain cases, if they want to get rid of you, the recruiter is going to make you disappear slowly. So the colleagues may forget to call you, the client may be out of town, and the recruiter may also have ‘short term memory loss’!
These were a few statements that you may be served with by your recruiter. But, this also does not mean every recruiter takes the help of a lie to get your off his list. Some may be genuine with their statements (even if they include anything from the above). So watch out for these signs, and make your move. Be the fair judge when you do so.