So I'm in traffic and my cell phone rings. The number is unknown. It's a recruiter from (*). He tells me he saw my resume online.
He gaves me sketchy information about a client. Asks a few questions. The usual bs. I tell him I'm waiting on feedback for a gig (I don't tell him the actual status). Later he asks what I'm looking for bottom line salary wise. I mention that I don't like naming a number. I prefer a percent. (I've "raised my shields" again.) Meanwhile, this guy keeps putting me on hold to check things. (It's the freaking amateur hour.) He then asks about my company and how would that effect where I work. I said if I'm not at work and not on call then its my time. He says this is a full time job with a company in Chicago that is downtown and it is
full time.
"Oh. I was not aware of that." (Nice of him to finally mention that.)
I blurt out what I made 8-10 years ago and say a salary number (X). Then I realize he hasn't told me a thing about what the job duties are. I started to get angry. I ask what is the job about? It would be like me asking you to bid on a car sight unseen. He makes an excuse that they are still getting details about the position. He put me on hold again then came back to tell me what the job entailed. Helpdesk work (nothing unusual) and the pay was actually (X+$10K). I told him I was busy Monday and Tuesday (I'm doing some minor stuff for a friend at his office). So I scheduled an interview on Wednesday. He didn't mention where his office even was located. I asked. I told him to email me the details. He mentioned one of my email aliases that I gave to the job board and I said that one was fine.
He asked again where I was with the interview process with the other company. I initially replied in a radio announcer affected** voice,
"I'm not going to tell you. There are recruiters that would use that information to get their candidates there and thereby undermine my opportunity. (I then tried to dial it back a little). I appreciate the opportunity you've presented but I'm not going to give you that information. I can tell you this. It is with a university."
(and that was probably too much information itself).
I can't remember what this client company was pimping to me of course. I didn't think of trying to write it down while already using the phone in traffic. I thought maybe this guy was a fraud or one of those recruiters that has nothing but is just trying to pump information out of me. I'm not even sure if he even really works for the borkery that he mentioned.
If I don't get a follow up phone call or the email with the details then I am definitely not going to bother. I'm inclined not to go already. The phone call was 17 minutes in length and I wonder how much dope this guy inhaled because his short term memory was awful.
When I got online later I discovered that I had sent a resume to this borkery through the website.
One of these days I'll learn to hang up on these jokers or realize that I can't win their game of three card monte.
If I could of figure out (or remember) the 3 letter name of a "financial software company" in downtown Chicago then I'd call to find out if they've had contact with this borkery err.. "placement firm"... or if they are even hiring. Not to undercut the borkery. That would be unethical.
DarkHumour
*The name of the borkery? Decode the anagram: "Surly Top Bongo"
**(Why did I suddenly use the radio announcer voice? I'm not sure. I think it was to keep me from using profanity. ) Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! Borks on fire ! Techs rejoice!
