Ethics in Recruiting – Making the Right Match
Carol Metzner • April 23, 2021
Being ethical simply means “doing the right thing.” Recruiters are hired to be internal or external hiring and talent experts. As an executive search consultant, internal corporate or agency recruiter, the goal should always be to make the right match for the open opportunity and the company. In the current marketplace, there has been an increase of recruiters who find themselves desperate to make a placement. Corporate recruiters are working to keep their jobs safe from layoffs and third-party recruiters and executive search firms are concerned with potential decreased financials. Add to this, job seekers who are worried about the pandemic, unhappy in their current roles, or laid off and need a job. This makes the recruiting business ripe for unethical recruiting practices and pushing through a bad opportunity/job match.
Many civil engineering consulting firms have furloughed or let go of staff. Conversely, many civil engineering consulting firms have taken the opportunity to make “investment” or strategic hires to their leadership teams. As an architecture and civil engineering executive recruiter with more than 30 years supporting ENR top 500 consulting firms, I continue to be astounded by stories of everyone looking out for themselves at the expense of their employers, clients and/or job seekers. These recruiters are so desperate to say “I filled that open requirement” that they will gloss over the candidate characteristics that make for a less than good “fit” for the position or company. They recommend candidates and encourage their hiring authorities to move forward, overcoming any concerns that may be present.
A candidate-job mismatch damages a consulting firm’s ability to further their goals, effecting the bottom line that then effects more staff. The mismatch may be uncovered in a year, but it will be uncovered. While being able to support their family for a year, the mismatched candidate will find themselves back looking for a job while having to explain another job change. Employers find themselves explaining to clients and staff why they are recruiting again to fill a vacancy. And, the recruiters are off onto something else.
Recruiters must take time to evaluate the candidate-job match. Our job is to advise our hiring leaders to make the BEST match – not the quickest hire. Recruiters need to stop thinking of themselves and take a step back. The right fit is out there for your open opportunities. Do the right thing for your client, employer or job seeker. If you were worried about your job before trying to force a square peg into a round hole, consider the likely consequences after making such a desperate move. More importantly, you will have a positive effect providing good value to others!
The Metzner Group Blog
As a recruiter, I move fast—searches, decisions, conversations that shape careers. But Thanksgiving reminds me to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the bigger picture. Gratitude isn’t just seasonal; it’s the foundation of meaningful relationships and clearer perspective. Each person I meet reminds me of resilience, ambition, and possibility—and that’s what keeps me inspired. Wishing you time to decompress, reconnect, and carry that spirit into the season ahead.
We’ve all seen it: a colleague facing a career crossroads reaches out to every connection they’ve built — asking for introductions, advice, or simply a listening ear. Many of us respond, because we understand the stakes. The fear of unemployment or being in a role that no longer fits is real. But then they land. The pressure lifts. And when others reach out to them for support, the response is… silence. In today’s climate, where so many talented A/E/C executives are exploring new opportunities, navigating leadership transitions, or rethinking their next chapter, let’s remember that networking is a two-way street. ✅ If someone helped you during your search, be the person who helps them now. ✅ If you’re in a stable role, take a moment to respond to those reaching out. ✅ If you’re navigating change, lean on your network — but also nurture it. The consulting engineering sector thrives on collaboration, trust, and long-term partnerships. Let’s extend that same spirit to how we support one another professionally. We rise by lifting each other — not just when we need help, but when others do.
