and you thought realtors were bad...

Headhunters. There's a reason why the word means these two things:

headhunter n 1: (informal) a recruiter of personnel (especially for corporations) 2: a savage who cuts off and preserves the heads of enemies as trophies [syn: head-shrinker]

I'm a Mechanical Design Engineer. That means I'm part Mechanical Engineer, part Designer. The title is fairly self-explanatory. And yet, for some reason, I'm asked at least once a month by a Headhunter if I would be interested in a job writing code.

The discussion usually goes something like this:

HH: I am a Professional Recruiter from an Agency representing some Fortune 500 clients, some really spectacular companies, and I'm wondering if you'd be interested in pursuing a fantastic opportunity with a medical device company that's really at the forefront of the field. They're doing some fascinating stuff and they're looking for someone to head up an Engineering project. Would you be interested in such a position?

Kate: Sounds interesting. What's the job?

HH: Well, this company's looking for a Development Engineer with a background like yours. Someone really motivated with strong technical expertise. Would you be interested in such a position?

Kate: Hmm. What would I be doing, specifically?

HH: Kate, this position involves heading up the Systems Programming group, coordinating their efforts and managing the content they're producing.

Kate: Umm, do you know that I'm not a Programmer?

HH: OK, well, that's something to think about.

Kate: Yeah, it's really not something I'm interested in. Or qualified for, for that matter.

HH: Well, why don't you fax me your resumé and I'll get the ball rolling on this? I think they may be interested in hearing about your work, anyway.

Kate: No, I would rather not. I have no interest in programming or bossing programmers around.

HH: OK, Kate, well, I appreciate your time. Why don't you fax me your resumé and I'll add you to my database of available Engineers?

Kate: Do you ever look for Mechanical Engineers or Product Designers?

HH: Well, we don't really get much in here along those lines, but I could add you to my database, just in case?

Are these people paid by the resumé? I know they get something if they manage to place me, but they always seem so persistent anyway, even when the job is completely out of my field and unrelated to anything I'd ever consider.

Posted at 12:24 PM in category Old (this category is huge!)