Take This Job and Sell It!: The Recruiter's Handbook

Rating:
Summary: Basic knowledge a recruiter needs
Review: At jobEQ.com, we recommend this book as a basic introduction to the field. Indeed, for a book written in 1994, this book remains surprisingly up to date, except (of course) when it comes to technology. Recruiting is a people business and even in 2001 one still needs to do what the author recommends. (Of course, it would be nice to see it updated: that's why it only gets 4 stars.) Even if the book was written as an introduction to setting yourself up as an independent recruiter, most of it is valid as well for whatever job you want to have in recruiting, whether it is a an employee inside a company or as a consultant working for a large recruiting firm or for a temp agency.

Nobody claims that this is the "definite book" on recruiting. Next to this, I recommend to familiarize yourself with competence based recruiting techniques (including behavior based recruiting) and get knowledge on the use of some type of "personality test". Also, for getting a better grasp of the job you are recruiting for, it pays to "pick the brain" of some of the best persons already doing the same kind of position in the company.

Patrick E.C.Merlevede, MSc. -- co-author of "7 Steps to Emotional Intelligence"

Rating:
Summary: Unimpressed
Review: I enjoyed reading this book. It points out many good techniques and processes for a professional recruiter to use. It shows how a recruiter can work from home successfully. A good addition to a recruiter's library.

Wayne D. Ford, PhD, author of "Breakthrough Technical Recruiting" [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive Introduction to Independent Recruiting
Review: I found this handbook to be extremely useful, particularly in identifying the pitfalls of recruiting like an employment agency (peddling resumes). Richard Mackie's approach toward recruiting offers a distinct advantage for clients and candidates working with the recruiter who operates using his methods. A surgical focus on a particular marketplace and a lot of hard work are at the core of Mackie's method. This is an easy to read book. I highly recommend it to anyone going into recruiting or who has been recruiting for years.

Rating:
Summary: This book is a bit outdated
Review: I want to get into the independent recruiting business so I thought this book would be a good start. The book is ok. But I was disappointed to find out it was published in 1994! That's like 150 years in technology years. Mackie's list of expenses includes $300 for a TYPEWRITER! There is no info on online recruiting and it's mostly the authors war stories of his recruiting experiences 20 years ago.

Rating:
Summary: Very well written book and down to the point!
Review: Mr. Mackie did a nice job writing this book! The book is well organized and concise. I recommend it to every recruiter. The book could use an update to include some of the latest resources available for recruiters, such as, web sites and business directories. However, this does not deminish the value of the book. I found good ideas for building databases, holding interviews, and managing assignments.

Rating:
Summary: Unimpressed
Review: Take this book and send it back! It is not worth your time or your money. It does do what it says it will, it's as simple as that.