As recruiters we hate stereotypes. Let’s face it, past recruiters have given the industry a pretty shocking reputation. We’re all snakes apparently. The truth is, we can’t help but laugh at some of the old Contract vs Permanent recruiter stereotypes. We’re pretty sure they’re a dying breed. If you’re a contract or perm recruiter, let us know what you think of your stereotypes.

The Contract Consultant Overview

They’ll sell their mother for the right price. With a gift of the gab and a slick hairstyle to match, the only thing flashier than their gold watch is their freshly whitened teeth.

The Permanent Consultant Overview

Hailing from the best private schools in the country, this consultant is accustomed to getting their own way. They’ve had more scrums than Waitrose hot dinners.

You may also like: The Best Holidays for Recruiters

The Office Attire

The Permanent Consultant: Find them at a Savile Row tailors or in the designer stores on Chelsea’s Kings Road. When it comes to office attire, quality is of the utmost importance for these consultants.

The Contract Consultant: It must be pinstriped, nothing else matters. Don’t be surprised if they haggle over the price, nothing in this world is non-negotiable.

The Accessories

The Permanent Consultant: Check their inside pocket, they’re definitely packing a hipflask filled with the finest 20 year old whiskey.

The Contract Consultant: From Ted Baker wallet with protruding wads of cash to the pricey Rolex that’s flashed at every opportunity. The Contract Consultant just loves to show off their wealth.

You may also like: How Many Placements Will It Take? Part 2

The Night Out

The Permanent Consultant: Look towards the corner of your local country pub. If you see a Barbour jacket, Wellington boot wearing country boy/girl sipping an ale, you’ve found the perm recruiter.

The Contract Consultant: A night spent in the VIP area of Sugar Hut getting messy with magnums of champagne.

The Chat-Up

The Permanent Consultant: A relationship management approach. They’ll listen to everything you say and play the long game. Don’t be fooled though, they’ve got their eyes on four other potential candidates.

The Contract Consultant: Always be closing. They’re cheeky and far too confident. Don’t be surprised to hear the words ‘your place or mine’ at some point.

You may also like: The Recruiter’s Guide to Dating

Sports

The Permanent Consultant: They’ve dabbled in everything from horse riding to rowing and even lacrosse. A good ol’ fashioned game of rugger with the chaps is where they’re most comfortable.

The Contract Consultant: A gym addict fuelled by pure narcissism.

The Holiday

The Permanent Consultant: From lounging on the beaches of Miami to a busy New York City break. This recruiter has travelled extensively and they’re always looking for the next luxury adventure.

The Contract Consultant: Marbs, Kavos, Magaluf or Ibiza. Basically anywhere they can party hard and abuse their body.

You may also like: International Recruitment: A Guide to Moving, Living & Working Abroad

Pets

The Permanent Consultant: From the pheasants roaming the grounds of their estate to the prize winning horses in their stables, the perm recruiter has more pets than you could ever imagine.

The Contract Consultant: Every recruiter needs a best friend, for the contract consultant it’s a pug named Dave.

So what’s your verdict? Are these recruiter stereotypes accurate? Today recruitment is a more diverse and presentable industry. You can even recruit in your shorts and sandals in some agencies. If you’re looking to take a step up with your recruitment career, we want to hear from you. Browse our job board to get a feel for what vacancies we have on offer.