Do not mess with your reputation

Do you want a tip on your recruitment career?

The most critical one I can think of.

Its importance has been amplified by fake news, AI-generated content-dross, and the pervasive lack of authenticity.

Don’t mess with your reputation.

It’s the only thing you will take with you when you leave. (Leave? Yes, leave your current employer, the recruiting profession, and this life.)

And if you want a more immediate reason, it is clear that in a world full of AI slop, auto-generated ‘expert insights’, designed primarily to boost engagement metrics, and the increasing possibility that your favourite ‘influencer’ is a bot, I do not doubt that all of us will seek authenticity and credibility more than anything else when we look for advice, insights or even anecdotes.

In 2026, buyers trust people, not logos.

Real authenticity is a rare (and valued) commodity now. Recruitment clients will look for evidence of insights, market proximity, and insider knowledge.

Content is easy – real, accurate insights are rare. Think about it. You jump on the LinkedIn spam wagon and craft a pithy, borderline offensive post that gets a lot of engagement. Big win? I think not. Getting noticed does not win you trust, credibility, or customers.
Credibility now precedes buying conversations.

Generic advice gets buried. Specific expertise attracts attention and customers.

Seriously, be delighted with less engagement on a post that offers insights on market shifts, salaries, hiring mistakes and lessons – rather than a viral post that pigeonholes you as an amusing clown.

In 2026, credibility isn’t claimed — it’s observed.

So, you will need to earn your real reputation- not automate it.

And its not just online that I am talking about. Its IRL!

Every contact with a candidate, client or colleague is a ‘moment of truth’.

Ask yourself after every interaction.

‘Did what I just did or said enhance or damage my reputation?’

Watch the video snippet from the Savage Recruitment Academy training library and read the full story below.

Remember, it’s not only the candidates you help — it’s the ones you don’t find a job.

It’s the colleagues who are less senior than you.

The client who is small and irregular and may not be ‘worthy of your time’.

Suppliers, who, after all, should be grateful to you, right?

And remember, too, it’s not only the ‘big things’ that determine how you are thought of and spoken about. It is the call not returned, the commitment unmet, the snarky, unkind remark.

You can be competitive—a tough negotiator. Aim for the very top. Relentless in your pursuit of success.

But…

Treat people with respect, even if you believe you do not ‘need to’.

Do what you say you’re going to do. (Oh boy, do not get me started on this.)

Never screw anyone over.

Your actual reputation is what people say about you when you are not in the room.

It has nothing to do with what you say about yourself online.

In the long run, your reputation will get you there.

Referrals, recommendations, repeat business, references.

But better than all that. You never have to hide behind a pillar when you see someone you have let down coming the other way in the street.

Which would you rather hear about yourself?

‘Fun guy. Good for a laugh. But a bit of a flake. Never follows through on anything.’
Or
‘Demanding woman sometimes – but knows her stuff inside out, but always follows through and you can definitely trust her.’

Your reputation is your elixir of eternal recruitment career life.

Protect it and burnish it.

Through your actions.

*****************************
The video above is a short snippet from the 200 + hours of recruitment training available on the Savage Recruitment Academy

Sign up for the SRA here 

*****************************************************************************************************************************************

Thursday 20th August

Free

12 noon AEST

Sign up here!

Full details here

******************************************************************************************************************