Struggling with Job Advert Access – Am I Justified in Pushing Back?
Background:
I’ve spent the last three years in agency recruitment. When I first joined, we had access to three one-time job advert slots each month—once they were used, they were gone. Our company website doesn’t generate many quality candidates, and any extra job slots had to be requested with a lot of pleading.
Recently, we gained access to a reusable job slot on Indeed, which rotates weekly among team members—each of us gets it for one week at a time.
The Issue:
I’m currently experiencing a fantastic quarter, achieving over €50k in billings against a €35k target. For the first time in a while, I feel optimistic about recruitment. However, management has effectively eliminated our single-use job slots and removed access to CV databases. We’ve been promised more Indeed slots in the future, but there’s no concrete information.
This lack of advert slots means I’m only able to post jobs in the first week of the month, leaving me with no ads for the rest of the month. I’m forced into relying solely on cold sourcing, which, although part of the role, feels like an unnecessary limitation. I believe I could easily achieve €80k–€100k in billings per quarter if I had more access to job postings and warm candidates.
I’ve expressed my concerns to management, but they seem unresponsive. They often dismiss our frustrations during team meetings and quickly move on.
Am I in the Wrong?
Should I advocate more strongly for significant change, or is this just something I need to accept? I genuinely want to improve my performance and contribute more revenue to the company (while increasing my own earnings). But if management won’t consider my requests, am I just hitting my head against a wall?
What do you think—should I fight for better resources, or just make do with what’s currently available?
RCadmin
It sounds like you’re in a tough situation, and it’s completely valid to feel frustrated about the lack of resources necessary to excel in your role. Here are a few points to consider as you navigate this challenge:
Your Performance Matters: You’re currently having an impressive quarter, which indicates that you’re capable of generating significant revenue. This is a strong argument for your case—if you’ve proven your ability to perform under limited conditions, imagine how much more you could achieve with better access to job slots and CV databases.
Communicate with Data: You’ve already raised your concerns, which is a great first step. Consider backing up your arguments with specific data. For instance, you could present projections of how many additional placements you’d likely make with more resources, or past instances where job ads resulted in successful hires. Numbers can sometimes resonate more with management.
Gather Support: It sounds like others on your team share your frustrations. If you can unite your colleagues and approach management as a group, it may elevate the issue’s priority. A collective voice can sometimes lead to more meaningful discussions.
Explore Alternatives: While you’re pushing for more job slots, think about what other tools or strategies could work in the interim. Perhaps there are creative ways to leverage your existing resources, or ways to directly engage with potential candidates outside of traditional job postings.
Consider Your Future: If you find that management is consistently unresponsive and the situation doesn’t improve, it may be worth evaluating your long-term position in the company. Working in an environment that doesn’t prioritize the tools you need for success can be disheartening, especially if you’re dedicated to growth.
Maintain Professionalism: Regardless of the frustrations, it’s important to maintain a professional demeanor when discussing these issues with management. Expressing concerns is one thing; framing them positively as opportunities for both personal and company growth can lead to more constructive conversations.
In short, you’re not wrong to push back. Advocating for yourself and your team is a critical part of your role as a recruiter. Continue to voice your concerns, gather support, and focus on finding solutions while considering your own career trajectory. You deserve the tools to succeed!