Comments on: Who’s the Best Java Developer You Know?

By: Deepak Bansal

Deepak Bansal — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 10:20:00 +0000

I totaly argree with Rob. He has used the best way of explaing his article ,’is example’ .Which helps other recruiters to understand. Rob has explained a very common and simple way of recruitment which most of us generaly don’t think of also. I thanks to Rob and will be eagerly looking for few more articles of the same.

By: Jason Avant

Jason Avant — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 05:06:00 +0000

I recently moved from corporate tech recruiting to corporate retail recruiting, and was shocked to find that (unlike Jay) the engineers I worked with did a much better job at referring people than the retail managers I now support. I’ve been here six months, have filled 20 management-level openings, and only 2 of those have been referrals (neither was from upper/regional management). I’m faced with the ‘you’re the recruiter, it’s YOUR job to recruit, not ours’ attitude. Despite my constant attempts to educate my team that the companies who bring the best talent have an ingrained ‘recruiting culture’ (The Container Store is a prime example), there’s little interest in changing the current mindset. Very frustrating, and any advice would be appreciated!

By: Jay Lowry

Jay Lowry — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 03:10:00 +0000

Every thing that the Rob wrote. I have to agree, from the Head Hunter point of view, getting a refferal from an engineer is like pulling teeth. They often feel a loyalty to the organization, or to the project they are working on.

Usually, the loyalaty is one way, as we know. It’s often very important to remind them that company loyality is a thing of the past.

Very good reminder of some of the basics as well.

By: John Demos

John Demos — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 01:52:00 +0000

I appreciate the message of the article very much. I prefer to see the recruiting profession as a ‘pull’ industry…not push. I feel if you can pull them a little closer… the information comes out a whole lot easier.

I agree that indirect questions are the best for referrals… like the one you mention.. ‘Who is the BEST (insert profession here) you know?’ It also helps to soften the question by adding ‘and WHY?’. Now you have the name and insider information.

A long-time ‘go-to’ question for referrals has been, ‘Who have been your most significant mentors as a (insert profession here)and why?’

And your right.. isn’t it about time Rob?