Navigating Job Advert Access – Am I Overstepping?
Background:
I have been working in agency recruitment for three years now. When I first started, we had access to three job ad slots each month. These were single-use, meaning once they were posted, they were gone for good. Our company website is not effective in attracting quality candidates, and on rare occasions, we could negotiate for an extra slot or two.
Recently, we were granted access to a reusable Indeed job slot, which rotates weekly among team members. This means each of us gets a week (from Wednesday to Wednesday) to utilize it before passing it on.
The Challenge:
I’m currently having a strong quarter, exceeding my €35k target with over €50k in billings, which has renewed my enthusiasm for recruitment. However, management has decided to eliminate all single-use job slots and has revoked access to CV databases. Although we were informed that more Indeed slots may become available, no definite plans have been presented.
Because of these restrictions, I can only post jobs during the first week of the month, leaving me without advertising options for the remainder. This situation forces me into purely cold sourcing, which, while part of my role, feels like an unnecessary obstacle. I genuinely believe that, with better access to job postings and warmer candidates, my billings could increase to between €80k and €100k per quarter.
I’ve voiced my concerns to management, but they seem indifferent, offering little more than reassurances during team meetings and quickly moving on, even when multiple team members express similar frustrations.
Am I in the Wrong?
Should I advocate more strongly for tangible changes, or is this simply something I need to accept? I have a genuine desire to perform better and generate more revenue for the company—and, naturally, for myself. But if they remain unyielding, am I just wasting my efforts?
What does everyone think—should I continue pushing for better resources, or adapt to the limitations we currently face?
RCadmin
It sounds like you’re in a frustrating situation, especially given the success you’ve had recently. It’s entirely valid for you to push back on this issue. Having limited access to job advert slots and CV databases adds undue pressure, particularly when it feels like you’re being set up to succeed but then being stripped of the necessary resources.
Here are a few considerations and suggestions:
Document Your Success: You’ve had a fantastic quarter, which you should leverage as evidence of your potential. Highlight not only your billings but also your strategies and how access to more job slots and resources could further enhance your performance. Use metrics to clearly show what you could achieve with better tools.
Open a Dialogue: If your initial conversations with management didn’t yield results, it might be time to approach them again but with a different angle. Perhaps request a one-on-one meeting where you can present a plan outlining how better access to job ads could increase revenue for the company and improve your productivity.
Involve Your Team: Since multiple people have voiced the same frustrations, consider collaborating with your colleagues to express a united front. A collective approach might be harder for management to dismiss. Prepare a combined proposal outlining how improved access to job postings can benefit the team and the overall health of the company.
Explore Alternatives: While pushing for change, also consider what alternative strategies you can implement. Perhaps investing time into network building or using social platforms like LinkedIn more effectively could help with sourcing candidates without job ads.
Assess Your Position: Ultimately, if management remains indifferent to your requests for tools to succeed, you’ll need to evaluate if this environment aligns with your career goals. Sometimes seeking opportunities elsewhere is the best choice if you feel your potential is being limited by inadequate resources.
Stay Professional: Throughout your discussions, maintain a professional tone. Express your commitment to the company’s success while advocating for the resources you need. Avoid letting frustration drive the conversation; instead, focus on constructive dialogue.
In summary, you’re not wrong to push back. Advocating for the tools and resources you need to do your job effectively is important, and doing so can demonstrate your commitment to success—not just for yourself but for the entire team.