Keep an eye out for future posts on what I think is drastically wrong with the recruitment industry.
In a nutshell, I worked as a developer for a number of years and two key factors seem to have made a drastic difference:
1. Practical industry experience. I understand the full software development lifecycle. I know what it's like to work on boring, unchallenging projects and I like to think know what get's people excited about going to work in the morning.
2. I'm self-aware. I know our industry is universally hated by clients and candidates alike. I understand exactly why our industry has a terrible reputation and I actively conduct my business in the opposite manner to what you may have come to expect from recruiters. I don't 'key word match', money is not my primary focus, I don't try and shoe-horn candidates into roles that won't interest them and when it comes to clients I find out everything I need to know at the beginning and I try to be as unintrusive as physically possible throughout the process.
Having worked with recruiters a few times, I would say you are most definitely an exception rather than the rule. Mostly it comes down to buzzword bingo. I had problems when trying to explain to a recruiter that we were looking for a junior Java developer, but they kept sending us CVs with people with 8-10 years experience. After all they had "Java" on their CV didn't they. Very frustrating.
A recruiter who understands, and has true experience in the domain is invaluable. I wish you all the best!
Like I stated on your blog post in comments..you live up the word recruiter..a nice change..when I do get to London(currently in the Midwest USA) will attempt to find you ad offer you a pint..
In a nutshell, I worked as a developer for a number of years and two key factors seem to have made a drastic difference:
1. Practical industry experience. I understand the full software development lifecycle. I know what it's like to work on boring, unchallenging projects and I like to think know what get's people excited about going to work in the morning.
2. I'm self-aware. I know our industry is universally hated by clients and candidates alike. I understand exactly why our industry has a terrible reputation and I actively conduct my business in the opposite manner to what you may have come to expect from recruiters. I don't 'key word match', money is not my primary focus, I don't try and shoe-horn candidates into roles that won't interest them and when it comes to clients I find out everything I need to know at the beginning and I try to be as unintrusive as physically possible throughout the process.