Today I was told that I missed out on an interview with a company I was really interested in working at, and it basically happened because the recruiters shafted me.

An hour later, I contacted the company directly and asked them if they have another position. I’ve sent emails to 3 people who I think are in the most relevant positions to offer me a job, I’m bypassing the HR middle men. I’ve taken matters into my own hands, not somebody else’s with another agenda.

I always at least get the interview. I can accept if a company passes, but I still get the interview. You see, the way the recruiters handled it, there was something about the excessive amount of time it took to set up an interview — almost 1 week. That’s a long time for a tech company in Toronto.

What doesn’t make sense is how a company can make a decision without knowing of the best alternatives. I know that already from my experience of thinking in an entrepreneurial way and having my own product, that you rarely act on a decision unless you know for sure that you’re aware of the best alternatives. You’re always thinking in terms of a plan A, B, C, D, and X.

So I have a hard time accepting that they didn’t have time for an interview, not even a 15 minute phone call. I’m not being arrogant, I’m just really in tune with the mobile development market here, and where my experience sits in with that. I think I was propped up as the recruiter’s #2 candidate, they had me as a back up. Not good when someone else is in control of your destiny like that.

This is my own fault for being lazy. I prefer somebody else to “find” me the companies, and this is the only value that I see recruiters have to offer me. It’s not that I can’t do this myself, it’s just that I’vechosen not to. Not anymore.

When you’re finding work you HAVE to be ruthless! Not ruthless to other humans, not ruthless in a horrible heartless way. But ruthless in a way that you have to cut out negative influences.

You have to be ruthless in contacting people, and put a lot of your shame aside.

You have to be ruthless in saying no to an unsuitable job, so you can get the job you really want.

You have to be ruthless in making these decisions quickly, while somehow simultaneously try to make smart decisions. This is hard, sometimes fast and smart are polar opposite forces!

You have to be ruthless in your work ethic, even print up flyers and literally go knocking on office doors.

In fact, I think I’ll do that right now!

Now that I’m legal to work in Canada again, I’ve recently been thinking that it’s time to mature my approach to work. Instead of going down the usual path from the last 4 years of approaching recruiters, or companies to be an employee, it’s time to explore this freelance option instead. I’ve been sticking to the employee formula for too long because it’s safer and easier, but freelance will be more rewarding.

I’ve worked as a contractor before, that’s kind of freelance but it’s been managed through recruiters. It’s time to go real freelance and manage it myself! I have some flyers to design and print…