I see you there - your website with that Product Management vacancy that's been listed for what feels like 6 full moons and no candidates.

I've seen various agencies advertising your role too, with easily identifiable adverts stripped from your job description that say nothing about why your ideal candidate should apply, and less still to demonstrate how they are working on your behalf.

I've seen too the new agencies popping their adverts up looking much the same - perhaps they'll be lucky and catch that perfect person just at the right time when they decide to apply for that advert over the anonymous others.

It makes me wonder whether you've met those suppliers, or whether you felt they'd just send 6 CVs by Friday, and maybe a few of those would be worth looking at, and maybe you'd hire someone good enough for a role where good enough won't do.

But that didn't happen then and it hasn't happened now.

I'm curious too what you think of those adverts. Would you apply if it was you? Can you say that they get what you need? Are their candidates as relevant as their adverts?

Good thing there isn't a candidate shortage.

If you're still here, you're probably wondering why I haven't contacted you persistently yet to ask if I can help, which I gather is "sales".

I'll always ask once, in case you are willing and able to take a different approach.

But if you don't reply or you come back with "can you match 15% and send us CVs" instead of starting a constructive conversation, there's no reason for me to do anything but wish you well.

In my experience, you aren't ready to make the changes needed to fill the vacancy, whether that's to be challenged at root and rebuild your vacancy better, recruiting through better means, or that you don't see your suppliers as strategic partners.

The things that I need to happen to help you best.

And since you aren't ready, I won't trouble you further.

That's fine - I look forward to the next time I see your advert.