[barelystayingsane]

Hi all! Had kind of an interesting experience the other day and wanted to get some feedback on it.

I randomly got a call from a recruiter at a large insurance company, saying she came across my resume, was very impressed, and wanted to talk. I have never expressed interest in this company and have not had previous contact with this recruiter. I’m not sure where she got my resume from, since I accepted a position with the Big 4 back in November (maybe from my university?). Anyway, I called her back and left a message, saying that I had already accepted a job, but thank you, and I will keep XYZ company in mind in the future. I then get a text message a few minutes later, saying, “Thank you for calling me back I am sorry I missed your call. Best of luck this fall with your new job and definitely keep us in mind if something ever comes up!”

Is it just me or is a text message slightly inappropriate/informal given that my only contact with this recruiter has been exchanging one volley of voicemails? Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but if she had my resume, then she also would have had my email address. I feel like it would have been more professional to send that message in an email and not in a text.

What do you guys think?

[CPApracticer]

northwestern mutual?

F: 54 (4/13) 60 (4/14) 67 (9/14) 66 (10/14) 63 (11/15) 79 (2/16) PASSED
A: 60 (5/13) 80 (4/16) PASSED
R: 60 (7/13) 61 (2/15) 70 (4/15) 77 (7/15) PASSED
B: (6/16)

[Anonymous]

@CPA Practicer – I was going to ask the exact same question. Ha!

[barelystayingsane]

Ha yes. Is that standard operating procedure for them or something?

[Anonymous]

At least from my personal experience with them, it doesn't surprise me. The position they targeted me for was basically an insurance salesperson when I was a junior in college. They told me I would have a quota of how many friends and family I had to get to invest in their life insurance, and would get paid only on commission. Huge scam

[Jason2345]

If they contact you out of nowhere, and you are successful in your field, it is either a scam or a job where anyone can do it.

They'll try to make you feel special, but don't fall for it.

[barelystayingsane]

Yeah, I knew about the ridiculous salesforce internship program. One of my friends watched a video that they made to promote the program, and it showed a college kid making sales calls at people's homes around 7p. No, thanks. They recruited heavily at my university, and I always tried to avoid them.

[P or F.. I think Im gonna BARF]

Honestly, you may think it is inappropriate now, but the second they start contacting you while you are working, you will very much so appreciate the text messages! It is extremely uncomfortable accepting a recruiter call at work, and having to do the “Can I call you back?” or “Please hold (while I go to a quiet room)”… Classy move, in my opinion – it's their way of respecting your privacy.

B - (08/29/2013) Passed
A - (07/02/2013) Passed
R - (10/17/2013) 73 - Rematch
F - (05/29/2013) Passed

[barelystayingsane]

That's a very good point! Never thought of that. Although she did call me initially, and I still think an email to my personal email address would have been more professional than a text. The times could be changing, though.

[jkpoker1]

Thats weird you got a text. I've gotten many emails from insurance companies that have found my resume on monster or indeed. I think its funny because why would someone with a degree in accounting want to sell insurance?

Quest to be a CPA

BEC-74 (7/13),
REG- ?? (8/13)
AUD-TBA
FAR-TBA

[P or F.. I think Im gonna BARF]

Better yet, why would someone in accounting want to be a recruiter? Most of them are former big4

B - (08/29/2013) Passed
A - (07/02/2013) Passed
R - (10/17/2013) 73 - Rematch
F - (05/29/2013) Passed

[Anonymous]

They target all industries…my friend got a “job offer” from one shortly after completing his medical billing degree. That's about as closely related to insurance sales as accounting is!

[Anonymous]

Better than driving an hour to an interview for an accounting position, only to be told “well we advertise the position as an accounting position, but technically its a sales position…how comfortable are you with cold calling?”

>:O

[peetree]

“Better than driving an hour to an interview for an accounting position, only to be told “well we advertise the position as an accounting position, but technically its a sales position…how comfortable are you with cold calling?””

The rage I would feel….oh the rage….

FAR 02/21/13 - 95
REG 07/02/13 - 87
AUD 08/02/13 - 94
BEC 08/30/13 - 85
Ethics Exam - 90

Illinois candidate awaiting his license

Used Becker Self Study | Ninja Audio | Becker Flash Cards | Ninja Notes | Wiley Test Bank

[kmaahs]

@ehrman9

Years ago when I was right out of school trying to break into HR, I drove 40 miles for an interview for an entry level recruiting position.

I got there and when I told the interviewer I was there for said role, he told me I didn't have any recruiting experience. He proceeded to try and pitch me a sales position. (Cold calling)

Needless to say I was irate. It came out a bit I even think. Bait and switch is really not a good way to start a relationship with potential employees.

@OP

I don't think texts are in and of themselves unprofessional. But it's all context. In yours, a text was fair. Especially considering the nature of the job she was likely pitching.

C.P.A.

[Author]

Replies