I have decided to write a book.

Part of my job as a recruitment consultant is to socialize, have a drink, have a meal and basically pretend to be everyone’s friend. Obviously it is important to explain to the client or employer that I am looking after their best interests. At the same time we are telling our candidates that we are looking after their best interests. The reality of course is that we are looking after our best interests and happily that generally coincides with both parties being satisfied. It is sort like being paid to suggest the 38^th parallel whilst both the North and the South are quite happy to carry on slugging it out. We are in short, brokers. Fortunately due to the recent economic crisis, we have moved up the scale of unwanted brokers, along with Estate Agents, Used Car Sales and Insurance Brokers, due to Investment Bankers and Traders being blamed for the world’s ills. Thanks people, we can show our heads now.

I digress, part of this “brokering” is to try and avoid answering questions such as: is this their best offer, what margin are you taking, how much are you charging. The easiest way to do this is to control the meeting or discussion with stories, anecdotes and experiences. Recently I was in a meeting and one of my clients, after about the sixth pint of beer, told me I should write a book. So I am doing so. The honest truth about the recruitment industry from my perspective. The people in it, what they get up to and how we make our money. I seriously do not recommend using this as training material, but it will give you insight into the reason why we tend to have heart attacks at the age of 40 (I am 39 so writing this quick as I have a son to provide for) and also explain why there is a need for recruitment companies and how we are best used. Above all, if you are in the industry, don’t worry; I have changed your names a little.

Does anyone have any advice? Any anecdotes I can use?