Dear Danielle:
I received the following email on LinkedIn and am so confused as how to respond or even treat this:
“Hello. My name is [BLANK]. I am a Healthcare Recruiter with [BLANK] Staffing. I am doing a search for a client of mine, a hospital in Los Angeles, that is looking for a Transcription Support person. The person doesn’t have to be a transcriptionist. They should have anatomy and physiology knowledge, medical terminology. But they really need to be technologically savvy. Someone comfortable with computer systems. Someone that can also communicate clearly and effectively with doctors and their office staff. The shift is 1-9:30 pm, Monday – Thursday and 7:30 am – 3:30 pm on Saturday. I wanted to reach out to you to se if you or someone in your network may be interested in this opportunity. This is a long term contract. I can be reached at…”
Would this be considered contract work? Your advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated. —MP
No, this is not contract work. This is a job an employer is trying to fill.
You’re a business owner right? You don’t work “shifts.”
Just because they’ve used the word “contract” doesn’t make it business.
What defines employment is control. If they are dictating the days and hours you must work, where you work, what equipment and systems to use, and if you are subject to supervision and time reporting, by law that is an employer, not a client.
I mean, if you want a job, that’s perfectly okay. But it’s important you understand the difference either way so you are not cheated out of the Social Security, Medicare, Unemployment, Workers Comp and other benefits that employers are required BY LAW to pay into your accounts on your behalf.
Anyone who tries to pay you as an independent contractor when you are really working with them like an employee, not only is a lawbreaker, they are cheating you out of your rightful benefits and treating you like a schmuck.
They also want someone in medical transcription, not administrative support. Big difference.
This is the problem with LinkedIn. It was originally created for employers and those seeking employment. Even though B2B business owners have since jumped on that platform to connect with colleagues and clients, it’s still really not ideally suited for business.
So you’re going to get contacted by a lot of recruiters. Just ignore them.
It’s neither business nor an opportunity. They’re looking for an employee, and it’s not your job to waste your time finding one for them.
Trust me, they have messaged this to a thousand other people besides you, basically indiscriminately spamming anyone and everyone, so you weren’t specially singled out. If they were really interested in you personally, they would have read your profile and seen that you are in business, not seeking employment.
Then again, it’s important that everyone in business make sure that their LinkedIn profile clearly portrays them as business owners seeking CLIENTS, not employment.
Your profile should include a link to your business website and a clear call to action instructing potential clients to visit your website where they can learn more about how you can help them in BUSINESS and what the next step is to working together (typically a consultation and process that YOU dictate, not them).
If not, then your profile could be the thing giving out the wrong signals.
In business you’re going to have to get good at discerning what is real business.
Anyone coming to you who doesn’t read your profile, doesn’t go to your website, and approaches you inappropriately (e.g., sending you recruitment messages) is not a business prospect.