Don't you hate it when you must admit you were wrong?
For twenty years as a technical recruiter I have shared with many candidates that my number one goal in working with them is to "First, do no harm", citing the basis of my philosophy on the Hippocratic Oath often taken by graduating physicians. I explain the importance I place on working to ensure that my interactions with passive candidates and active job seekers are professional and taking a long term view of things. After all, I have the privilege of walking alongside some outstanding EDI professionals who are making important decisions that will affect both their livelihood and career trajectory. It is a privilege I do not take lightly.
So imagine my shock when I learn that I was wrong! The verbiage "First, do no harm" never appears in the Hippocratic oath named after the famous teacher Hippocrates.
What I discovered, after exploring the original oath and some of it's more recent versions, provides a far better philosophical approach that recruiters everywhere would do well to consider.
Just before I share that hidden gem, if you would like a good method for avoiding bad recruiters, then check out my January 2011 blog article entitled Interviewing your Recruiter.
Here it is. Near the end of the modern ethical oath for new physicians is a line that reads: "...If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling...".
What a novel idea. Do the right thing for the right reasons with a long term view in mind. Kind of sounds like our cultural aspirations here at Remedi. Now that is good medicine!
