by Robert Kenward | Nov 9, 2019 | Communication

Joining the dark side is easy, saying NO is where it’s at…

I nearly crumbled.

I very nearly joined the 80% of the industry I so desperately despise for ruining it for all us good uns.

A new stakeholder from a client who’ve assigned me on a retained search before, asked me to look at a role that wasn’t my speciality (large talent pool, under £60k salary).

Didn’t have time for any face2face briefing sessions.

Didn’t need me to bespoke interview.

Didn’t want me to provide a pre-selected shortlist.

Just wanted CVs from people who’d applied to any adverts I put out there and that I’d spoken with on the phone.

I’ll be honest, I thought about it as I’ve worked on multiple roles for this client so could say I know them and probably could “fill the role”, however, I didn’t take it on.

Why?

As I believe in doing things the right way, not the right now way.

This isn’t a contingency/retained thing, it’s about valuing yourself and what you stand for and also, I couldn’t look in the mirror next time I pillared agencies who do the above and call it recruitment.

The upshot is a new relationship with a client stakeholder who appreciated the honesty rather than me preparing to fail.

Yes, I know this sounds preachy, but it’s taken me over 4 years to get to a place whereby I know who I am, what I’m good at, what I’m not and when to say no rather than sell my soul.

Anyone else reached this place where they feel they can say no?

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