SEARHC recruiters and Human Resource employees must be some of the most disrespectful people in my…read more37 years of working in the field of mental health and substance abuse treatment, I have had to meet. In December 2025, I received a call from a man named "Craig" who left a vague voicemail that did not explain the purpose of his call. Call the guy back, and he comes across as superficial, introducing himself with "Hello, how are you today?" He at once dives into telling me about how his leadership had mentioned their concerns about my past employment duration, which were some short, some longer than others, in various positions, and assumed he knew the reasons, and started to become confrontational. I immediately stopped him on the phone and asked whether this was about my qualifications or whether he was calling to criticize how long I had been in my earlier positions. He said, "Yes."
When the public seeks employment in Sitka, Juneau, or anywhere in Southeast Alaska, avoid SEARHC employment opportunities. Especially, if you get a call from a guy named "Craig," hang up the phone or remove his emails. Here is why: it is incredibly disrespectful for any organization to allow their recruiters to waste time when you know your field of work better than the recruiter, to criticize your resume and employment history.
Job applicants, especially in the healthcare field, may want to avoid recruiters like those at SEARHC who criticize their past work experiences, as it often signals a lack of professional boundaries, a toxic communication style, and a potentially exploitative relationship. SEARHC has a history of doing this in Southeast Alaska, and it is the hiring manager's responsibility to accept or decline interviews for applicants. Such behavior can show that the recruiter is:
* Unprofessional: A competent recruiter focuses on finding the right match for a job opening based on qualifications, not tearing down an applicant's history [1]. Their role is to advocate for candidates, not judge them personally.
* Creating a Toxic Dynamic: A relationship starting with criticism or negativity is likely to be challenging moving forward. A recruiter should be a supportive liaison between you and a potential employer.
* Using a Manipulation Tactic: Some may use criticism to undermine your confidence, making you more likely to accept a lower offer or an undesirable position.
* Poorly Vetting Candidates: If a recruiter is calling you, they presumably find your resume suitable for a first conversation. In criticizing the resume, they chose to question their own judgment and process.
Ultimately, a good recruiter respects your experience and focuses on your potential fit for a role, not on unsolicited, negative critiques of your professional history.
Encouragement to the public who read this posting, avoid SEARCH opportunities. You have invested hard-earned dollars to pursue your education and build a foundation for your future. You can risk it, later regret it, or you can walk away, but as an applicant who has worked in the field of mental health and substance abuse treatment for over 30 years, I learned and taught my patients that you are in control of your employment, not the recruiter. Your relationship with the manager whom you report to, not the recruiter. Again, if you get a call from a recruiter or someone by the name "Craig" at SEARHC, avoid and run as fast as you can away from this person and the organization. It would also be wise for the CEO to critically look at how people also respond to their application experienced with SEARHC - its not looking welcoming for healthcare providers.
