My entire working life I have been in this industry, and I have taken my fair share of criticism for just uttering the phrase “I am a recruiter”. But now it seems ‘the great search engine in the sky’ is predefining us as liars, scumbags, idiots and worthless.
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Recruiters are liars and scumbags. Google says so.

Need to fire a deadbeat client? Here’s how…
Last week I argued that service providers need to fire clients who are uncooperative or unprofitable. Plenty of ‘The Savage Truth’ readers agreed, but many asked, “How do I actually do it?”. And the truth is that it is not easy. But there are two guiding principals I have found are fundamental for this to work out well.

What YOU say when your client says “send me the résumé”
The fact is you make a placement only if your candidate gets an interview. So your job as a recruiter is so much more than sourcing the talent and making the match. As important as they are, it’s all a waste of time if you don’t get your candidate sitting opposite your client. And so [...]

Tell your clients the way it really is!
Over the past 6 months I have spoken with many CEOs about their business growth strategies. And I have been overwhelmed by the range and scale of the online, digital and social media marketing plans they are developing. And that’s exciting, but at the risk of being a party-pooper, all this strategy prompts me to [...]

“Does my butt look big in this?”
What do you say to a friend who wants your ‘real’ opinion on a matter of some sensitivity? You know, “Do you think I should marry him?” or showing off a new pair of jeans, “Does my butt look big in this?” It’s a tricky dilemma. You don’t want to rock the boat. You certainly [...]

Will clients pay 60% permanent placement fees? Well, yes actually.
Regular readers of my blog will know that I have predicted for some time that clients will expect more from recruiters as the market recovers. I have said that we can expect pressure on our fees, particularly as employers invest in other ways to access talent. But it’s also true that market forces will prevail. [...]
Greg Savage & The Savage Truth
Greg is the founder of leading recruitment companies Firebrand Talent Search, People2People and Recruitment Solutions. He is an established global leader of the recruitment industry and a regular keynote speaker worldwide. Greg provides specialised advice for Recruitment, Professional Services & Social Media companies.
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No, you are not ‘running late’, you are rude and selfish
June 7, 2010
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“God, I hate recruiters!”
March 2, 2011
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Sorry guys… women are better recruiters than men
December 6, 2011
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Being a recruiter rocks!
April 20, 2011
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Are you a LinkedIn liar?
March 27, 2012
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Suck it up princess. This is as good as it gets
May 14, 2013
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Into Africa. A recruiting safari.
May 6, 2013
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Recruiters! Stand Proud!
April 30, 2013
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Recruiters are liars and scumbags. Google says so.
April 16, 2013
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The Savage Truth gets even more Savage!
April 5, 2013
- Diana: Very true article indeed! I'm in the same situati...
- Mark S: I believe "leadership" is a misnomer in this cas...
- Ryan Harding: Greg- Thank you for sharing this! I have never be...
- Angela Roberts: Greg, great points – thank you for having the co...
- Phillip Kay: Hi John, I find it strange that for someone wh...
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Greg Savage – Feedback
The training conducted by Greg Savage was energising, informative and highly relevant to our team. Greg's substantial knowledge and industry experience was evident in all of the content discussed. Greg is a hugely personable and accessible facilitator who easily engaged and inspired our team. In addition to his wisdom and insightful market intelligence we took away many meaningful tools and techniques that are easily applied in our organisation.Philippa Flynn HR Manager - Stellar Recruitment, Brisbane, Australia.
Greg is a passionate, forthright, risk-taking commentator who is single handedly educating the recruitment industry to perform & be accountable. He would get the starring role as the “pistol whipper” should any cowboys mosey into his town. Greg Savage should be knighted for his work in this industry; he is demanding delivery of excellence, holding us accountable; elevating our standards and scaring off the pretenders. He’s teaching us to work diligently and intelligently to earn the respect of our clients; not just expect a fee for services.RCSA Conference Delegate 2010
The speaker I was most looking forward to was Rachel Botsman, and she certainly didn’t disappoint, but I have to admit it was Greg’s presentation I’ve been speaking about most to others this week. Perhaps the best use of social media I’ve seen anywhere – and I say that as a business coach who specialises in social media!Barry Thomas - Business Technology Coach, Altus
Following your seminar, I am writing to you to let you know that the month of implementing your Backwards Plan and points system (May) we broke a company record in billings. I just wanted to let you know that in June we broke that record again! We had a monster of a month! I am absolutely delighted with the difference this simple system has already made to my business and just wanted to thank you once again. I’m focusing on managing the growth we are experiencing now – it’s great to have even happier staff who are all reaping the benefits of the points system!Joanna Wilson - Director, The Ultimate Recruitment Company
You have the ability to encourage people to explore new ways of doing business and how to engage effectively with people and staff at all levels. Your ideas and training sessions have been received extremely positively with our staff over the years. Through your training we have achieved the desired outcomes and built stronger relationships with our clients. Your executive coaching style is both engaging and empowering. When I have left your seminars I know I will have a better understanding of the challenges business face and how to understand and implement ways to improve and overcome future challenges.Paula Watts - Director, Law Staff (NZ) Limited
I really enjoyed your workshop yesterday and most of all, I got a few great tips that I can implement into our business. I do wish however I had all my managers from QLD there as well. Next time! Greg, on behalf of the 6 of us that attended from WorkPac in Brisbane – Thanks again.Brian Goldfinch - Queensland Regional Manager, The WorkPac Group
Greg presented to my senior leadership team of business bankers at our half-yearly conference on the topic of “Driving Business Growth Through Exceptional Leadership”. He delivered an outstanding presentation that was rated by the attendees as the best of the conference. He was able to bring to life some simple yet effective insights on people leadership and exceptional customer practices from his 30 years in business and triggered much discussion for the remainder of the conference. A very valuable experience for all who attended.David Tonuri - State General Manager, National Australia Bank
I have great respect for your outstanding knowledge of the recruitment industry not only within Australia but globally. Your direct presentation style is insightful, entertaining and relevant; always adding value through addressing the fundamentals of what is essentially a simple business model which is often over complicated through a misunderstanding of how to adjust in times change.Peter Gleeson - Executive General Manager, Executive Recruitment, Chandler Macleod Group
It amazes me that time and time again whenever we have Greg present, our delegates cannot ever get enough of him! They always want a repeat. No matter at what business level within our industry Greg presents to and no matter the theme, he consistently delivers a very powerful message that addresses the fundamentals of what we as individuals are about in business and how to succeed. To be able to capture that ‘spirit’ in people and channel it towards a common goal in the work place is done with genuine passion and a true belief that all things are possible. Greg’s own story and success is testament to that, with the added bonus of never being shy of sharing his own business highs and lows. His knowledge knows no bounds. From a conference organiser’s point of view, Greg listens to the brief, is keen to know his target audience and is very thorough with his research, submits his synopsis in a timely manner and is extremely professional and accommodating on the day in regard to AV, sound checks and scheduling. (as one would expect!)Claudia Gray - RCSA Learning Centre & Major Events Manager
Greg was the consummate professional who delivered exceptional content, customised to our local conditions, despite being on the road the length & breadth of SA for two sessions per day, three days out of four. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him in the lead up to the event and greatly appreciated his assistance in generating interest and support for the seminars via his extensive social media network. The feedback from our delegates was amazing and I’m confident that they will take Greg’s savage truths onboard in realising the need to step up their games and become talent magnets within the new reality of global talent management. Judging by the positive reaction, and the success of these events, I think APSO and Greg will be working together in the future!Natalie Singer - APSO Chief Operating Officer, Johannesburg, South Africa.

