December 3, 2018 |

Passing Judgement

We are living in such interesting times.  Times have always been changing, and people have always been changing, but these days I find myself getting surprised more than usual.  Case in point:

I was communicating with a potential candidate about their career.  The discussions were early and general in their nature.  As part of that communication, I offered some insight/opinion on this candidate’s profile, as well as how the market would likely see them as a candidate.  My comments were on-point, professional and not really negative.  I was relaying anecdotal insight based on my twenty years of recruiting.

The reaction?  This individual accused me of “passing judgement” on them.

Ah, life in the 21st Century.

Needless to say, this isn’t a candidate with which we want to move forward.  Is this where we’re headed?  Are we moving to a society where insights and opinions by professionals are triggers for people who may not agree?  I sure hope not.

Granted, this is the first time this has happened to me in my twenty years in the recruiting business.  I hope it’s the last.  But I fear it won’t be.  In fairness to the thousands of other candidates I’ve represented, virtually all of them have appreciated honest feedback and transparency.  Many have thanked me for it, even when it was hard for them to hear.  That’s the mark of maturity.  And…even if they disagreed with my assessment, they weren’t so weak as to cast themselves as a victim.

Onward and upward.