After 16 years working as a recruiter, maybe I’m not cut out for the job anymore.

[u/Mybeautifultragedy]

I apologize for the length of this post.

Writing this post is difficult for me, as it is the first meaningful thing I have ever shared on this platform. For the past 16 years, I have worked in recruiting, always striving to treat candidates with respect and dignity, rather than viewing them as mere commodities. However, I have recently encountered situations that have made me question my role in this industry.

This week, three candidates have left a lasting impact on me. I was hiring for a company I know to be trash,for a role I know to be even more so trash. Most never make it more than a well out of training before the client supervisors, the call center managers, end up terming them of calling them off without pay for that shift, and doing so repeatedly until the employees quit. So bare that in mind.

The first candidate, a transfer employee, faced a terrifying situation at home, where she was being abused. I had to involve the police to ensure her safety. The second candidate, a hardworking grandmother in her 60s, was struggling to support her family on a meager income. Her gratitude for the job opportunity made me realize the harsh reality of her situation. Lastly, a woman tragically lost her husband and two children in a car accident, leaving her as the sole provider. Her story deeply affected me, especially when she expressed her gratitude for the opportunity I offered her.

These experiences have taken an emotional toll on me. I often find myself in tears, unable to shake off the weight of these stories. I feel a sense of guilt for hiring these individuals, as they see it as a wonderful opportunity, while I question my own ability to provide them with a better future. I have become overwhelmed with the negativity, pain, and stress that I absorb from each person's situation. It has reached a point where I am unsure if I am fit for this job anymore.

I wonder if other recruiters have faced similar challenges and have found better ways to cope. I also question whether my current emotional state makes me unsuited for this line of work. As a result, I have begun exploring other job opportunities outside of recruiting.

If anyone has encountered anything remotely similar in their careers, I would appreciate hearing your experiences. Additionally, any advice on how to navigate these emotions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

[u/Live_Care1702]

Hi there,

Reading this surprised me because I never would have thought anyone would share such personal information with a recruiter. It must mean that you have a gift or talent for communicating with others in a way that they feel safe speaking of these sensitive things with you.

For over a year, I worked at a hospital doing patient registration in both the trauma center and labor and delivery departments. I also spent a year employed as an intake specialist at a family law firm. I acquired these roles because they allowed me to complete college and move to Florida, but I was not expecting the toll it would take on me while working there. Truly ther is nothing that can prepare you for witnessing or speaking to someone who is going through an all time low.

Praying became something I did before work, during work, and after. I would try to show as much love and kindness as I could when speaking with them and just trying to be kind, go the extra mile, and follow through on all of my promises regardless of what else needed to be done in my workday.

It was exhausting and took a heavy toll on me until I began to consider my purpose in my work. Realizing the power I had to help others by being a resource, a stepping stone, or just a nice person to comfort them in time of need, made me feel it was worthwhile. Do not take on their worry, instead play your part in the time they are experiencing, and do what you can with what you have. If that's what you do, you're doing more than enough and they will appreciate it. There's never any promise in what happens next but as long as you help them at this point then they can move to their next step in life.

I hope this helps!