@David No worries and no offense taken. I really appreciate your thoughts. I agree with much of what you're saying. The main problem with job hunting/recruiting is that we're not "digging our well before we're thirsty." Instead, we're reactive and it becomes a sales pitch (on both sides) instead of a dialogue that result in a mutually beneficial relationship.

You make some fair points, David. Thanks for the comments. Let me share my initial thoughts: 1) Vendors know a lot of people, but not everybody. About 50% of the people we interview seem to come from referrals from vendors or others in the industry. But we always want to be sure we cast a wide enough net to meet those who don't. 2) Your distinction being candidates and applicants is interesting...I'm going to think on it...but it feels like semantics to me. Applicants should have an opportunity to become candidates, no? 3) Not sure anyone wants to be treated like an applicant. I worry more about treating folks like human beings. 4) One of my major goals of this post is to provide more info of us as an employer. Everyone has the right to agree or disagree with what I'm saying. I'm jut trying to be honest and open about my feelings on the matter.