Best of Ed Hunter

Ed Hunter is our resident satirical blogger. When he’s not rescuing dogs from burning buildings, or single handedly fighting crime, he writes about recruitment.


Not one to mince his words, he’s a real recruiter, recruiting candidates, day in, day out, just like you. He has real life desires and aspirations, which are normally scuppered by pesky internal recruiters.


Oh, and he’s a Wolf.
Ed Hunter: The Game of RecruitmentIt's all a game this recruitment lark. We, the players, are after the prize at the end. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The trophy. The grand prix. But before our lips touch the cherished chalice of victory, there are demons afoot.
Ed Hunter: Pispronunciating WormsThis is going to shock a few people but I'm not the most tolerant when it comes to general ignorance. There are those who struggle with learning and I'd never take the p*ss out of them. But that's not what this article's about. This article's about those who can't be bothered to learn. The lazy. The ignorant. The wilfully stupid. And they drive me mad.
Ed Hunter: How to Recruit Your Future PartnerYou're on the phone. Head down. It's March. Nothing in the world's going to stop you billing big this year. The holiday destination's been announced. You're going. You've got three deals pending. They're monsters. There's an audible buzz around the office. The team's started well and it's set to be a record breaker. This is where recruitment becomes awesome. You're an absolute gun. Everything you touch turns to gold. There's no role you can't fill. No candidate you can't place. Then... something happens. A 9/10 walks through the office for an interview. AND EVERYTHING STOPS
Ed Hunter: Would You Rather?Recruitment's full of 'would you rather' questions. No, I'm not talking about your colleagues. I mean, would you rather... trudge into work or have the day sitting in your underwear? Would you rather... punch your nagging boss in the face or get paid your hard-fought commission? Would you rather... pick up the phone for the 327th time today or delve through the Best of Ed Hunter? All interesting questions.
Ed Hunter: Recruiting Bashers to Bash Recruiter BashersI once had a neighbour called Ken. Ken had a greenhouse and pristine lawn. He paid extra attention to make sure the lines on his lawn were perfectly square, which always drove my Dad bonkers, 'cause our lawn was sh*t and constantly dug up by the dog. One day, playing Wembley in the back garden, the game poised at 38 all, I pinged a ball destined for 'top bins'. Only denied by the heroics of Gaz in goal, who impaled his hand on a thorn bush to tip the shot round the post and over the fence.
Ed Hunter: A Recruiter's CVA lot of people wonder who the person is, behind the mask. It's Mitch Sullivan, they muse. It's definitely him. Well, to put that to bed, I'm afraid to say I'm not Mitch. I don't swear anywhere near f**king enough for that to be true. Maybe it's the top biller from your company? Y'know... the one who's always moaning they're going to lose all their contractors and only bill £700k this year. Trouble is, I'm literate. So it's definitely not them.
Ed Hunter: Side HustleIf you're a Recruiter, you're an Entrepreneur. It is, of course the first thing you mentioned in your interview. And the basis of your CV. You're running your own business aren't you? Yes, that's in another business. But it's still a business. You hustle. Night and day. Sure, the accounts are looked after. No, you don't have to manage anyone. Worry about office moves. Not getting paid a salary. In fact you don't have any of the worries you have when you start a business. But, don't let anyone tell you you're not an Entrepreneur.
Ed Hunter: The Recruiter's Phonetic AlphabetI was minding my own business the other day changing a CV from PDF to Word when I overheard my colleague on the phone. They were spelling an address out to a frenetic candidate who'd lost their way. "It's G, as in gnome." "A for aisle." "P as in pneumatic." ... he continued.
Ed Hunter: Never Look a GIF Horse in the MouthI talk a fair amount about job ads. I see a few honest ones occasionally. The rest are full of soundbites and buzzwords that every job in the world needs their incumbent to have. Example? "Must have good phone manner." YOU DON'T F**KING SAY.
Ed Hunter: "Do NOT Contact Line"Chances are as you're reading this you're relatively busy. It's Jan after all. And January in recruitment has always been a winner. You've got a mixture of new budgets agreed and all the clients who absolutely promised they'd hire before Christmas. And obviously didn't. One such client became an ex-client in the festive season just gone. After an email chain went awry.
Ed Hunter: An Honest Job Ad
Ed Hunter's Guide to being a ScumbagThey say Recruiters are bad. We're not, by and large. But people say we are. I think we're just misunderstood. In comparison to a lot of people I meet on my travels we don't even scratch the surface of bad. I refuse to tar any profession with one brush, but there are some proper scumbags out there. So, in homage to someone I had the displeasure of meeting earlier this week, if you do want to be a scumbag, or simply ease pressure outside the office... this is how you do it.
Ed Hunter: 'Twas the Week Before ChristmasTwas the week before Christmas, when all through the place Not a Recruiter was stirring, not even in the temp space. The headsets were hung by the chimney with neglect, In hopes that The Local had some Jagers to be necked.
Ed Hunter: Gif Wrapped for ChristmasOK, so it's only just turned December and I've used the word Christmas in a title. Get off my back. I'm about 4 weeks behind TV ads which start peddling this nonsense just after the clocks go back.
Ed Hunter: Motivational Quotes For A Wider AudienceMotivational phrases are great. I've written about them before, here. Now while I wouldn't call myself an influencer per se, since I wrote that post, (in August last year) I don't see them as much. At least on LinkedIn. But the issue I have is, I always feel like they're missing something.
Ed Hunter: A Little Like RecruitmentRecruitment's a funny old game. Sometimes you think you're trapped in this job. The wall's close in. Quicker than that scene in Star Wars where the strange one eyed monster keeps appearing out the water. The slightest show of nerves and it grabs you by the foot, pulling you under. Everyone else screams of course, but you're already dead. Drowned probably. Or eaten.
Ed Hunter: Places I Could Recruit FromLast week I wrote about the best possible way to work from home. Because, when it comes down to it, I'd rather be at home than in the office. There are less morons at my house. And I'm allowed in every room, unlike my Accounts department. I get as wound up at home. But there's a sense of freedom to be had, doing BD, sat completely naked.
Ed Hunter: How to Work From HomeThere's a new craze about town. Working from home. And maaaaaaaaan is it a winner. You see, what I've realised is... my colleagues aren't that great. In fact, most of the time, they simply make my life a misery. They steal my candidates. Annoy my clients. They worm their way into my deals. They eat my cereal WITHOUT ASKING. And I buy nice cereal.
Ed Hunter: Click Here to Show You're Not a RobotI've previously written about the day robots will take over the earth. I actually prophesied the very day it will happen. It's here. And look, there's a bit of truth in the fact technology's having an effect on the industry. Our office door's got finger print technology now.
Ed Hunter: Keeping Up AppearancesI've been being a bit ageist recently. I'm not normally a fan of stereotypes. But I make exceptions for comedy reasons. I've had a go at Millennials. I've had a go at Baby Boomers. I've had a go at those in-between. Haven't got around to Gen Z yet. No point really. They're all out on their drones, taking selfies with MDs or promoting their eco-friendly wheatgrass shots on their hugely successful YouTube channels.
Ed Hunter: The Kids Are AlrightI'm going to start this article with a bit of honesty and a slight reveal over my true identity. Last week I published an article slating Millennials. Some people didn't get it. They thought, "Here's another person from an older generation having a go at the kids. Just 'cause they're young." So lets set the record straight... Brace yourselves... I'm... Oh God I can't type it. I'm... a Millennial.
Ed Hunter: Kids these daysRecruitment's a doddle these days. It's easier. Less stressful. Healthier. Back in my day life was better. Don't ask me how, it just was. Millennials. Eurrrghh... Wasters. The lot of them. Coming in here, demanding benefits. Wanting to be mentally healthy as well as physically. Looking at the future with blind optimism, despite the overwhelmingly shit situation they've inherited.
Ed Hunter: KPIs for the Experienced RecruiterYo. Ed Hunter here. A Recruiter with quite a few year's experience. I wasn't always like this though. I had dreams once. Hopes. Career aspirations. Lofty motivations that would no doubt see me solve world hunger or put an end to wars. While I'm waiting for that kind of thing to land on my lap however, I've notched up quite a few years of recruiting.
Ed Hunter: One of Those Days, a Tail of Woeas a Recruiter, you'll know just as well as I do, sometimes things go well. Really well. Everything you touch tuns to gold. You don't change any of your methods. You do nothing differently whatsoever. In fact, if anything, it feels like you put less effort in. But you make more placements, more money and please virtually everyone you talk to. You're heralded in the office as having the Midas touch and piss deals. Today was NOT one of those days.
Ed Hunter: Q&AA little over a week ago, I decided I'd open the door to questions from the public. I say the public, I was really looking for questions from Recruiters. The trouble is, there seems to be a large amount of people that follow me that just aren't Recruiters.
Ed Hunter: AccountableAs a Recruiter, I have a fair amount of sh*t to put up with. Doing my job will naturally put me in the firing line of Candidates. But it's not just that happy community that wants its pound of flesh. My Clients are also looking for the best deal they can get, for the cheapest price. Usually free. Luckily, whilst fighting these raging forest fires, I'm in the fortunate position to have the real A-team behind me. A truly amazing Accounts team of four. Tirelessly pulling strings. Making things happen.
Ed Hunter: The Day Plan of a Non-Billing ManagerI've recently started writing a fairly comprehensive list of 'things' on LinkedIn every Tuesday. Quite literally the only reason I'm doing this is to tell people what pisses me off on a weekly basis. If you're new to Ed Hunter I'll let you into a secret. The list is going to be long.
Ed Hunter: Core ValuesMost recruitment companies have core values. Hopefully these are written on the wall in vinyl. They mean more that way. If your company's proper cool they'll have been spray painted. Nothing says recruitment like graffiti. The cooler your business is, the harder the graf is to read.
Ed Hunter: Alternative BD MethodsThere's a lot of chatter online that the infamous cold call is dead. Now, first and foremost, I'd like to dispel that myth. The cold call isn't dead. You're just not very good at them. If you can cold call well, this article may not be for you. A successful cold call makes everyone's life better.
Ed Hunter: Full English BrexitNEWSFLASH: As negotiations over Brexit continue to stutter, Recruiters have been asked to step in to save the day. David Davis, the man who's in charge of negotiating a 'fair deal' for both the EU and UK has turned to Recruiters everywhere to bring their negotiation skills to the table, in what's been described as a 'modern day Dunkirk'.
Ed Hunter: Alternative Recruitment Phrases
Ed Hunter: The Inner Turmoil of a RecruiterThe inner voice. We all have one. Most Recruiters probably think theirs is hilarious. I know I do. I know I'm not alone in staging an eternal battle on my shoulders between an Angel and a Devil. Most days it's a ruckus that makes McGregor Vs Mayweather look like child's play.
Ed Hunter: If Day Plans Were HonestAhhh the day plan. For any experienced Recruiters, this little gem will be a thing of the past probably. At least in its paper format. You've probably got your plan sorted on an app, maybe Outlook, maybe it's just scribbled down next to the other nonsense on your pad.
Ed Hunter: Game of Phones Quiz
Ed Hunter: Rules for RecruitersI currently work for an agency that's forward thinking, progressive and has a great culture. But it hasn't always been like this. Pretty much every Recruiter in the world I would wager, at some point has worked for a pile 'em high, pay 'em low agency. Maybe it was your first job? You probably didn't know any better.
Ed Hunter: The Recruitment TimelineAny Recruiter across the world is probably forecasting a lot. "What have you got on today?" "What you got that will drop this week?" "Deals for the month please?" "Has anything changed since 4 minutes ago?" "I notice you're not on the phone, have all those deals you pledged come in?" Taking this stance in a recruitment business ignites a fire in the Consultants that work there. However not in the way management hope.
Ed Hunter: Tricks Of The TradeLadies and Gentlemen, can I please have your attention. I've just been handed an urgent and horrifying news story and I need all of you to stop what you're doing and listen. Summer's hit London. It's HOTTER than the sun in our office. And, as much as I love recruitment, on a HOT sunny day, there are a few things I can think of to do other than recruit.
Ed Hunter: 'You Fell Asleep Under a Tree'Some of you, may have heard me reference the time a contractor of mine was caught (three times) asleep under a tree when they should have been working. Naturally, they were sacked. And it fell into my capable hands to let the contractor know. Only, because this contractor knew what was coming, they didn't answer their phone. Ever.
Ed Hunter: The Best of LinkedIn Part OneWhen it comes to LinkedIn, I spend a lot of time on it. I know you see me posting articles, and generally clowning around on there with the articles I post, but I use it for work too. I don't call myself Ed Hunter in my actual job. I'm a real boy. And have a real boy's name.
Ed Hunter: POETS DayThere are times in life where luck taps you on the shoulder. You just feel lucky. You can't say why. It's just there. Lingering in the background. Today I'd like to tell you about one such time. It started on a Friday.
Ed Hunter: A Pointless Battle of WitSometimes I have to think about what to write on these blogs. Other times, things happen to me in my every day recruitment life that just make it an easy job. Things like receiving a fax, inviting me to tender for a PSL renewal. Any other time, that wouldn't be too unusual. But, when the request comes from a client that never paid their invoice and refused to discuss the situation to the point of being outright rude, I view it as open season.
Ed Hunter: Quotes From 'A Top Recruiter'"Some things stand the test of time with elegance and grace" it says in the opening credits of a new show about recruitment. Unfortunately, I fear the show itself won't be one of them.
Ed Hunter: How To Tell If You're Being Managed OutWhen you've been in this game for a while, you'll know when things aren't going your way. Sometimes, the writing's on the wall, and it's time to look elsewhere for employment and enjoyment in your career. If however, you're new to this fair sector, or the writing on your wall's obstructed by large vinyl laminates of words like Inspire, Ambition and Winning, (obviously) representing your business's unique core values, here are some tips you might be about to be 'managed out'.
Ed Hunter: Stop Recruiter! The New Reality TV ShowThere's a new TV show about recruitment. Actually, that's not technically true. It's not technically on TV. It's on YouTube. If you haven't seen it, just google something similar to the title of this article and you'll find it. I'm not including a link. I'm better than that. Plus I like you too much.
Ed Hunter: The Funniest Reasons For Candidates Being Let GoTypically this blog is a chance for me to point fun at the recruitment industry, and of course Recruitment Consultants. If there's one thing we're good at, as an industry, it's laughing at ourselves. You could never say a Recruiter takes themselves too seriously. Today, thanks to you and your amazing contribution over email, I'm switching up the focus.
Ed Hunter: Recruitment Between the SheetsSimilar to when I was watching a lot of films, I always notice parallels that could be drawn with the recruitment industry. Whether those parallels are with previous jobs I've held, the industry as a whole or the people within it. Unlike other blog posts you'll read where the analogical dexterity struggles to move away from The Wolf of Wall Street, these are perhaps a little more out of left field. Yet all the more apt.
Ed Hunter: Overheard In a Recruitment OfficeWhat I've learnt in these situations is, listening will create value in a different way. A lot of the time it's so I can just chuckle to myself on the walk home. Sometimes however, the things I hear are good enough to write down.
Ed Hunter: Six Reasons You Need a Degree For RecruitmentMany of you will have read my two most recent posts which told the enchanting story of my struggle with a graduate assessment day. There were seven lambs to this particular slaughter, and all of them were university graduates. Which I'll be honest, made me think. My first thought? "How did I end up here?!"
Ed Hunter: How to tell if a Candidate will take a JobBecause I'm at the top of my game and the height of my powers in recruitment, I get asked for my opinion quite a lot. Only recently, Samantha from my office asked existentially "Ed? Why don't you p*ss off?"
Ed Hunter: Assessment Day. Part TwoAs you'll remember, I'm leading an assessment day. This is my first time leading one, and I can't help thinking as I watch these young whippersnappers go at each other I really hope it's my last. I'm also wishing I'd bought a faster watch, as Steve hits the question of 'what makes a good recruitment consultant' from the most analytical angle I've ever seen.
Ed Hunter: Assessment DayIt seems the time I spend in my current company is sometimes better spent not doing my job (recruiting). I absolutely love doing any meaningless task that senior Management throw my way. So imagine my unbridled passion when word came through that as Leanne, the Ops Director was ill, it fell onto my large capable paws to take our Graduate Assessment day.
Ed Hunter: What I LOVE About the New LinkedInOne of the most popular updates or comments on LinkedIn through the ages of the platform is someone stating that the professional networking site is "NOT FACEBOOK". Well, after the recent sale to Microsoft, it seems they were listening and dutifully set about making it so.
Ed Hunter: "Fake News"There's been a rise of this term recently, so it's only fair I give it some attention. Whatever English you think you know, strike it from the record. "Fake News" is now only the thing worth mentioning. Either the eradication of it, the propagation of it or the "fact-checking" retorts.
Ed Hunter: It's Like a Zoo in HereFor as long as I've been able to read, I've seen articles online about how much Recruiters can learn from other things in the world.
Ed Hunter: Appraisal DayI've always found it important appraisals are swiftly arranged after the year is finished. As a sign of how much my management and I are on the same page, ours were arranged for February.
Ed Hunter: The Discretionary Bonus Exposé
Ed Hunter: The Art of Recruitment EscapismIn recruitment you rarely get time to think. There's a real lack of 'me time'. So I decided to go against the curve and give you an anti-productivity article. All of these hacks will help you to feel more human and get more personal space.
Ed Hunter: 11 Jobs that Need CVs in 2017This article is with you, the reader, in mind. Never let it be said that I'm self-serving. Below I've highlighted some opportunities for YOU to take advantage of. Spec a CV in to these jobs and you'll start the year just swimmingly.
Ed Hunter: Recruiter STRIKETalks boiled over yesterday at the general meeting of the Recruiters Union chaired by industry kingpins. Unfortunately several key issues remained unchallenged and the motion for a global recruitment strike has now been carried.
Ed Hunter: True LiesWhether you've noticed it or not, people lie to you. They do it all the time. Some lies are kind lies. Like "Hey I really like that tie Ed."
Ed Hunter: Recruitment Christmas Party RulesI'm going to start this article by mentioning that this isn't just a Recruitment thing. No matter what industry you're in... No matter what your job... You will find all manner of sins are carried out in dark corners the glitter ball doesn't illuminate. It's Christmas party time. Which means a free bar, scantily clad colleagues (weather irrelevant) and AWARDS. Here's my guide to survival...
Ed Hunter: Recruitment StatisticsEvery Recruiter in the world is aware how much statistics drive what we do. You'll get helpful 'key performance indicators' as soon as you enter the industry in order to indicate how much of a poor job you're initially doing.
Ed Hunter: The 13 Recruitment Gods Ruling Your CareerHermes: God of the interview journey. Will affect cab drivers, breakdowns, tube strikes, traffic and google maps. If you've said your prayers; everything goes to plan. If not, get your keys. You're driving them there yourself.
Ed Hunter: Seven Signs Recruitment is NOT for YouI’m awfully sorry to be the bearer of bad news but recruitment is a sales role, and you are always selling. I am yet to meet a good salesperson who is not motivated by money! If you're not, my advice would be to join the WWF (the pandas… not the wrestling)
Ed Hunter’s Recruitment Film Titles: The SequelBecause the first article in this film series proved to be a blockbuster, I decided to release a sequel. Only this time... It's personal!
Ed Hunter: The Chuck Norris of the Recruitment worldOne comparison I get more than most, is... obviously Chuck Norris. I mean, the likeness is almost too much. Don't know what I mean..? Let me explain. Here are the rumours I've so far heard whispered about myself on the grapevine. I'll let you decide which ones are true.
Ed Hunter: If Recruiters' LinkedIn Job Titles Came TrueAnyone who's a Recruitment Consultant who displays a job title that doesn't say "Recruitment Consultant" needs to have a serious look in the mirror. Are you ACTUALLY what you're pretending to be? Given how much time I spend changing candidate's job titles to suit their position you think recruiters would know better. Alas, they don't.
Ed Hunter's Recruitment Film Titles: Five of the BestSo as I suspected, you guys really came up with the goods in our search for the best recruitment themed movie titles. To hold up my end of the bargain, I have picked a few of my favourites and written up a summary of the potential storylines.
Ed Hunter: God's GIF to RecruitmentEd Hunter. God's GIF to the Recruitment Industry.
Ed Hunter: The Unwritten Rules of LinkedInLinkedIn has rules… We all know this – obviously we all read the T’s&C’s when we signed up! They’re quite straight forward and include things like “Don’t create too much fun” and “don’t post GIF’s” – A lot of you won’t remember this but not so long ago I myself, fell afoul of these rules.
Ed Hunter: Clients and Candidates - What they say and what they REALLY mean
Ed Hunter's Guide to Life After Recruitment: Alternative Career Paths
Ed Hunter: The 37 Things You Only Know if You're a Senior RecruiterYou've been in recruitment for a while now. You know the game. You've seen people come and go in your company like the changing of the wind. You probably have a smart answer prepared for Friday night beers when that 9/10 asks you what you do for a living. When it comes to recruitment, you've earned your stripes!
Ed Hunter: Five Things I wish I knew before I started my Recruitment CareerI remember the day that I accepted my first recruitment job. I completed the "stringent" interview process with arguably one of the biggest agencies in the UK and I was so excited. Little did I know the land of placements, milk and honey was not as accessible as the trap door on a trainee recruitment desk.
Ed Hunter: If Recruitment Were a Sport, Then I've Already Lost. (Apparently)
Ed Hunter: 5 Male TV Characters who would make Great (or Awful!) Recruiters
Ed Hunter: Nine Recruitment Gifs I can't post on LinkedIn
Ed Hunter: The Seven Funniest Recruitment Stories in my Inbox
Ed Hunter: The Story of the Best Pound for Pound Recruiter... EVER
31 Things only a Graduate Recruiter will Understand
Ed Hunter: The 11 different ways to reject a candidate
Ed Hunter: New Job Advice for the Career RecruiterMuch like the first day of school, it's important to remember certain things that will help you settle. Like not wetting yourself in assembly. The first few days are vitally important to establishing yourself in that new business.
Ed Hunter: I'm not a sell out!A lot of speculation has recently been voiced regarding my status in the recruitment world! So I'd like to clear up a few things... I am still very much a recruiter (a very good recruiter) and spend my days recruiting candidates, just like you. Now, a while back when I was just starting out, I was evicted from my original home on LinkedIn. Cast into the street, I was left in a state of hopeless despair.
Ed Hunter: "Motivational Quotes"Motivational quotes on LinkedIn. Sometimes they motivate me. Most of the time they motivate me to delete the contact who shared them. If I knew where they lived they may motivate me in to casual violence. Before you state the obvious, yes I know that I am one to talk… considering I am a Wolf recruiter that posts stories and memes (I hasten to add with actual relevance to working recruitment life mostly).
Ed Hunter: The Deal Vinci Code (Part One)There's a hidden code in recruitment, a code that transcends every conversation. It's evident at all stages and between all people involved in the recruitment process. If you're new to recruitment, or simply haven't managed to crack it yet, read on...
The Ten Pokémon Go Characters in RecruitmentI've been inundated with questions from fans asking about my involvement in this game... "Ed, do you play Pokémon Go?" My director recently sniggered as he swept past my desk, irked by my lack of phone activity. "I'd love to see an article about recruitment and Pokémon Go!" Urged one adoring fan to a friend, in a private text I read over their shoulder on the train. Well... Anonymous Ed Hunter fan, you can stop dreaming. Here it is.
Ed Hunter: 10 Recruitment Gifs
Ed hunter: The Deal Vinci Code (Part Two)It was pointed out to me after the deal Vinci code part one that it's not just in our offices that we have to decipher code. And you know what... you’re right it's everywhere! In emails, online, in faxes... Ok maybe not through fax anymore. So here is The Deal Vinci code Part Two.
Ed Hunter: The Recruitment OlympicsHave you ever been on a company holiday abroad with your recruitment company? It’s a little like the Olympic village. 450,000 condoms are needed. Different teams clash while vying for the world’s attention. There’s a pool. It’s normally somewhere exotic. It costs a shit load to organise. And by and large the place is completely trashed by the time it’s all over.