Recruiter posting fake location and salary?

So I had 2 phone interviews this morning scheduled for infosec analyst positions. One with the manager at X company, I know the contract pay, location and was able to research the company background. The 2nd one was an hour later with a recruiter who wouldn't tell me the company, but the location was about 15 minutes closer than company X and the pay listed was up to 50% higher. The recruiter said he'd tell me the company name on the phone but wouldn't disclose it before that.

The first call goes great, I was really happy I've spent so much time studying security, nailed all the technical questions to the point that the manager kept complimenting me saying the guys looking for more senior roles haven't been able to answer them. I finish that call on a total high and think... boy I hope the next one goes well too it would be even closer and pay even more!

I get on the 2nd call, the recruiter immediately is rude saying how its annoying that I'm so busy during work hours that I can't take calls. I told him that I have no privacy at work and I can't take random calls, but I can schedule time for interviews if I have notice, etc. He then starts with... OK, the position is at company X...

So I ask the guy why did he post it in a totally different town, he says he does that so his competition doesn't go steal his clients and that it's really common. About the salary he said, "well, the hiring salary is higher, but they are paying less for the contract work, so I just put the higher salary on there then when people go to put in their resume I tell them to expect less for the first 6-12 months"

Is this actually common or is this guy just a terrible recruiter?

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Comments

aftereffector

That guy sounds like a terrible recruiter. I don't get the impression that he is working to find you the right job... more like he just wants to fill some of his targets for the month.

Danielm7

It wasn't even that he was working to find me anything really, he had the position posted on indeed, I emailed him. Just a total misrepresentation of the location and salary and told me it was pretty standard.

DoubleNNs

Terrible recruiter.

iBrokeIT

Perfect example of a recruiter only it for the commissions and not interested in building and maintaining positive business relationships with his clients. Personally I would cut call contact immediately.

Danielm7

iBrokeIT wrote: »

Personally I would cut call contact immediately.

Thankfully that one was easy because I already had an interview with the real company from the first recruiter. I wouldn't have even put in my resume had I known it was for the same position. He asked me to call him if it didn't work out and he'l help me find another one.... no thanks buddy.

cyberguypr

Agree on cutting him off and voicing your displeasure. I am convinced some recruiters and ambulance chaser lawyers go through the same training.

colemic

Terrible recruiter. Run as fast as you can.

J_86

Terrible recruiter! When he started complaining how to can't take calls while you are at WORK, that should be your first sign all he cares about it getting someone to fill the position no matter what.

Drethyl

What questions did they ask you on your first interview?

srabiee

I'd drop him like a bad habit.

bertieb

An example of a really bad recruiter. It's all too common unfortunately. As the others have said, avoid and move on