Stop Dating Your Clients. You’re Not in School.

Why over-investing in bad clients kills your pipeline (and how to reclaim your dignity)

Ever had that one client who keeps you hanging?

• Never replies on time
• Cancels interviews last minute
• Says “we’re still thinking” for 3 weeks straight
• Needs “just one more CV”… again

And still, for some tragic reason, you’re loyal. Like a golden retriever.
Let it go, champ. You’re in a toxic relationship.

You’re Not Getting Paid in Exposure

If clients could pay in “maybes” and “circling back,” they would.
But guess what?

You don’t get paid for effort.
You don’t get paid for loyalty.
You get paid for placement.

Signs You’re Dating the Wrong Client:

• They expect top-tier service but pay bottom-barrel fees
• They brief you once, then ghost you like it’s Tinder
• They say “we really value you” but secretly spray the role to 6 other agencies
• They give feedback like it’s a state secret

🚩 If this was a real relationship, your friends would stage an intervention.

Why We Stick Around (Even When It Sucks)

Because deep down, you’re hoping to be the hero.
The one recruiter who finally gets it “across the line.”
It’s a lie we tell ourselves to avoid harder truths:

✔ You’re scared to walk away.
✔ You think busyness equals progress.
✔ You don’t have enough qualified clients lined up.

What Top Billers Do Differently

They qualify hard. And they let go fast.
They treat their clients like business partners—not crushes.

They ask:

“Is this worth my time?”
“Would I fight to keep this client if I had 5 others ready to go?”
“Are they giving me what I need to succeed—or just wasting my energy?”

Break Up With Dignity

You don’t need to be rude. Just real.

Try this:

“Appreciate the opportunity, but at this point I can’t prioritise the role without clear engagement. Happy to reconnect if things shift.”

Done. Dusted. Onto better business.

Final Thought:

The recruiter who fires bad clients builds a better desk.
You’re not desperate. You’re in demand.
Act like it.

TBC Action Prompt:
✅ Who are your top 3 time-wasting clients right now?
✅ What would your desk look like if you dropped them and chased better leads?
✅ What’s one breakup message you can send today?