Let's begin with an amusing story.
One day, while walking down the street, a successful human-resources manager is tragically hit by a tram and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and meets Saint Peter himself at the gate.
"Welcome to heaven," says Saint Peter. "Before you settle in, however, there seems to be a problem. You see, strangely enough, no manager has ever arrived here, and we are not quite sure what to do with you."
"No problem, let me in," says the manager. "Well, I would like to, but I have orders from above. What we will do is let you spend one day in hell and one in heaven, and then you can choose where to spend eternity."
"Actually, I have already decided. I would rather stay in heaven," he promptly replies.
"I am sorry, we have rules." With that, Saint Peter escorts the manager to the lift, which goes down, down, down to hell.
The doors open, and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a country club, and standing before him are all his friends and fellow managers who worked with him, all wearing evening dress and looking very happy.
People rush to greet him and, amid smiles and hugs, reminisce about the good times. They enjoy an excellent round of golf and then dine together at the country club on lobster and caviar.
He also meets the Devil, who is actually a very pleasant fellow and has a great time telling jokes and dancing.
He is having so much fun that, before he knows it, it is time to leave. Everyone shakes his hand and says goodbye as he gets into the lift.
The lift goes up, up, up and opens again at heaven's gate, where Saint Peter is waiting.
"Now it is time to spend a day in heaven." So the manager spends the next 24 hours drifting among the clouds, playing the harp and singing. He has a wonderful time and, before he knows it, the 24 hours are over and Saint Peter comes to collect him.
"Well, you have spent a day in hell and a day in heaven. Now you must choose your eternity." The manager thinks for a moment and then answers: "Well, I would never have thought it. I mean, heaven was wonderful, but I think I had a better time in hell."
So Saint Peter escorts him to the lift, and once again it goes down, down, down to hell.
When the lift doors open, he finds himself in a vast wasteland covered in dirt and rubbish. He sees his friends, dressed in rags, collecting rubbish and putting it into black bags. The Devil approaches and puts an arm around his neck.
"I do not understand," stammers the manager. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a country club, and we ate lobster and danced and had a wonderful time. Now there is only a wasteland full of rubbish, and all my friends look miserable."
The Devil looks at him, smiles and says:
"Yesterday we were recruiting you. Today you are on the staff."
I hope my recruiter friends will not take offence; in fact, in my own experience, I have never had this kind of problem with recruiters.
However, it can happen that the manager interviewing candidates paints a better picture than reality of the work environment and/or the vacancy.
Often this is done in good faith: the desire to bring in a valuable person can lead to a few extra promises slipping out.
For example, promising that a new department x will be created with the candidate in charge, or that an interesting new project will be launched.
Candidates should assess all the elements carefully and speak to as many people who know the company as possible.
There are two ways to handle promises: bet on them while recognising the uncertainty, or have them put in writing as part of the financial offer.
Company dynamics are so numerous and varied that changes of plan are commonplace!
I will leave you by wishing everyone a place in heaven 😇... recruiters included 🤗