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Is a professional recruiter working for you, or just screening you for their client?

Category: Other

rocdoc2004rocdoc2004


I am a professional engineer and have been working with a slick recruiter who seems to be on my side. But is he really using all my information to help me get the best job, or is he just a slick salesman who will use my details "against me" by secretly filtering jobs (e.g. he recently asked my age)? Has any other professionals discover the truth, or are there any headhunters willing to speak candidly?

jobbend
jobbend

You need to have a clear understanding of the relationships that the recruiter has with you and their client.

Their client is who pays them to find the best possible fit for their open job. Agencies work first on behalf of their client - not you. If the client says "jump!" - the recruiter says "how high"? And a good recruiter will say "and why?". And a great recruiter will be perfectly honest with you about why they feel you are a good fit - or not. Why? Because they don't get paid until they place you. And they typically don't want to waste their time on backgrounds/skill sets that they don't focus on, and are not high quality.

So the old adage "Buyer Beware" applies here.

Recruiting, like all of life, is full of excellent people and companies, as well as those who deceive - and everything in between. So you need to be able to find the right match for you that will represent you the way you want, and has the right opportunities. Ask for a reference of someone who they have placed and that has been on the job longer than their guarantee period.

Do your own research and find out who uses the agency that you now (or in the future) work with. Ask them if they are happy with them.

A BIG red flag is a recruiter who asks your age. First, if you are in the US, it's an illegal question (see www.eeoc.gov). Second, it means that their client has probably said something to them that implied they were targeting a specific age group to fit their company culture. Also illegal - but it happens.

Danko
Danko

I don't know how the whole system works, but it seems that they try to make a match, and sell you (like a commodity) to a potential employer. If you get the job they get a cut. Either way, it can't hurt you. At least your getting your name to potential employers, albeit, not the best fit.


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