In the sixth episode of our "Engineer vs. Recruiter" series on Rewired Mind, Cory Berg and I go deeper into the often-contentious relationship between engineers and recruiters, shedding light on the challenges and misconceptions that fuel the friction.

Cory shares his frustrations with spammy, impersonal outreach on LinkedIn and we discuss the negative impact of interrupting engineers' flow states and the importance of context and respect in initial communications.

On the flip side, I open up about the pressures and mistakes recruiters face, such as contacting candidates for roles they’re clearly overqualified for or reaching out with positions that don’t match their salary expectations.

We touch on the concept of "fake job ads" and the frustration it causes among job seekers, dissecting the nuanced reasons behind such practices and how transparent communication could alleviate some of the distrust.

We also talk about ways to improve interactions between tech professionals and recruiters, aiming to create a more positive and productive hiring process for all parties involved.

I hope you enjoy this candid discussion as much as we did!

Allen

As we continue with part five of this fun series, Cory "the engineer" Berg and I dive into loyalty between recruiters and talent, and recruiters and the companies hiring.

First, we talk about the relationships with each, and we acknowledge where some of the shortcomings lie with some recruiters. Do they all just chase the money? How do you balance the alliance between the candidate and what's best for the company?

We continue this interesting conversation and I hope you enjoy it!

Allen

Here we go again! In this LinkedIn Live session, Cory Berg and I go head to head and generate some really intriguing discussions revolving around hiring issues between recruiters and engineers.

Is it on the recruiter to prepare an engineer for an interview? Cory says it depends on the outcome - placement or success long term, and talks about the responsibility on each party to be as prepared as possible.

Cory gets into soft skill applicants and how they might prepare. We also talk about some soft skill questions.

Allen asks about whether or not some of the attempts by a recruiter are considered "stepping on toes" and how common it is for an engineer to consider talking to the recruiter a waste of time.

Cory also asks why an engineer only gets the feedback of "you weren't a right fit" instead of a detailed explanation.

Thanks for listening!

Allen

In this episode, Cory and I begin by talking about the almost unbelievable stories of a different person showing up in the interview than was supposed to! An engineer sends a different person to the interview! It's crazy to think that happens - but it's far more common than we'd like to believe.

Cory also talks about the lack of transparency on the part of the recruiter in the process. It's not to say that the engineer needs to know everything about the process, but we talk about a few critical things that can be left out of a conversation that are important for the person being hired to be aware of.

We also talk about another area of transparency when it comes to what a recruiter charges vs. what is being paid to the engineer. Why does it matter? Is is it important to share, and if so, when and how? We also talk about what follows that kind of transparency. Does an engineer have a clear understanding of why that amount is being charged?

We dive into a deeper topic that revolves around trust and building relationships as the cornerstone of that experience.

I hope you enjoy this ongoing mini "versus" within the LinkedIn Live audio series.

Allen

It's round two! Cory Berg, an esteemed colleague and trusted friend, goes head to head with me in this LinkedIn Live series we did a while back, and we had to share it with you in podcast form.

Now, if you haven't heard round one, I highly suggest that you listen to it by clicking here.

We have some laughs while going head to head - me, Allen Plunkett, as the recruiter, and Cory Berg as the engineer.

We discuss when it's appropriate to give references, and contact references. From a recruiter's perspective, doesn't it make sense to reach out to references early so you can have a good idea of the person you're trying to selling to a company? Or as an engineer, do you worry about having a recruiter bothering your references, or worse, trying to pitch those managers with their recruiting services?

We get into all of it in this fun, spirited conversation. Enjoy!

Allen

In this episode, featured initially on LinkedIn Live, Cory Berg and I begin a short series of Engineers vs. Recruiters! For those who have ever used a recruiter (whether you're in IT or not) you've no doubt come face to face with these types of behaviors. Cory Berg plays the role of the engineer, and I of course look at it from a recruiter perspective.

What's the right thing to do when you get ghosted by a recruiter? How do you start the conversation about your salary if you're an engineer talking to a recruiter? How do you evaluate candidates' skills over long distance? 

Cory and I started this a couple of years ago as an impromptu LinkedIn Live session, and it turned into a very interesting and recurring topic. 

I hope you enjoy this episode! More Engineer vs. Recruiter episodes to follow!

Allen

In this episode we featured initially on LinkedIn Live, I take a deep dive into an absolutely critical topic for employers - writing a great job description. I sit down with Cory Berg and Anthony Garone, who provide valuable insight into how companies need to realize the value in a proper job description. 

We talk about some of the bad techniques of creating a job description. Copy and paste from another larger company? Cory calls it "copy pasta" - nobody wants to eat it. We talk about the legal content contained in some, and the lack of understanding of what a potential hire wants to see from the company he or she is going to dedicate their professional lives to!

We dive into ways a company can overcome negative reviews about themselves, how to attract the people that want to be a part of the organization, and how incredibly different the quality and quantity of applicants can be when crafting a proper description.

Join us for this fun discussion!

Enjoy,

Allen Plunkett

In this episode we dive into a topic that resonates with all of us: salary negotiation. I'm your host, Allen Plunkett, and joining me on this episode are three remarkable guests, Amy Ancira from HireBetter, Keld Jensen from Thunderbird School of Global Management, and Rinkan Patel, a friend and seasoned professional with expertise spanning various industries.

In this episode, we explore the art of negotiation from different angles. Amy kicks off the discussion by shedding light on the importance of creating safe spaces for open conversations between employees and employers.

Keld Jensen, drawing from his extensive negotiation experience, shares invaluable insights on transforming negotiation from a confrontational win-lose scenario to a collaborative venture where both parties gain asymmetric value.

Rinkan Patel, in his dual role as a hiring manager and a candidate, emphasizes the significance of preparation, realistic expectations, and recognizing various levers of compensation in negotiation.

The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of remote work and the challenges it presents for both employers and employees.

So, if you're looking to understand the dynamics involved before you walk into that negotiation, you won't want to miss this insightful episode.

Remember, negotiation isn't a conflict; it's a collaboration where both sides can find value and achieve their goals.

Thanks again for listening to Rewired Mind.

Allen

Allen Plunkett website | Allen Plunkett LinkedIn

Amy Ancira LinkedIn

Keld Jensen website | Keld Jensen LinkedIn

Rinkan Patel LinkedIn