Recruiters should I trust them?

Anonymouse

So lately I've been getting calls about my resume on dice.com from recruiters. I was wondering if any of you have had any positive experiences with recruiters getting you work?

HeroPsycho

Should you "trust" them? No more than you should blindly trust a potential employer.

Can they help you get good jobs? Yes.

Kasor

No... you should not trust anyone... Always take precaution...

gojericho0

They can be very helpful in finding jobs, just make sure you do your homework on the position and the recruitment company. Also don't let them rush you into making a decision if you do not feel comfortable with an opportunity.

slinuxuzer

I dealt with a recruiter recently. I was interested in this job with a company that deals with gaming software, I spend alot of time in casinos, I was interested in this because there would be alot of travel to vegas, Atlantic city and other cool places.

Well what turned me off was the job was just installing server side software on sql servers, very simple work. I was under the impression there would be more Admin, design, etc. Higher end stuff, I didnt want to go from doing thinks like Ad design, migrations, server administration to doing a VERY trivial job.

I turned it down

Later on they did create a new position for a network engineer that I would have been perfect for I contacted the recruiter again. Now they didn't want me because I had reservations before.

I felt pressured the entire time to take the installer job, because the company was hurting so badly for installers, and when the engineer job came up, I am pretty sure I didn't get it because the recruiter was holding a grudge. This was a female and Im not bashing women, but I feel that this was a case of a woman holding a grudge and being on a power trip.

So no you can't just trust them. They are people. People have motives. The more people they place, the more money they make, and here is the big one; You will be reaping the rewards or suffering the consequences of this kinda of decision long after the recruiter has taken the money and run.

KGhaleon

Some you can't trust and they mostly just waste your time, but if they are willing to find you a job...then by all means, do what they say. I got a pretty nice job recently as a contractor through Tek-systems.

undomiel

Just remember, to a recruiter you're the product and the employer is the client. They always try to please the client. So no matter what they say no they aren't really putting your best interests first.

1MeanAdmin

slinuxuzer wrote:

I dealt with a recruiter recently. I was interested in this job with a company that deals with gaming software, I spend alot of time in casinos, I was interested in this because there would be alot of travel to vegas, Atlantic city and other cool places.

Well what turned me off was the job was just installing server side software on sql servers, very simple work. I was under the impression there would be more Admin, design, etc. Higher end stuff, I didnt want to go from doing thinks like Ad design, migrations, server administration to doing a VERY trivial job.

I turned it down

Later on they did create a new position for a network engineer that I would have been perfect for I contacted the recruiter again. Now they didn't want me because I had reservations before.

I felt pressured the entire time to take the installer job, because the company was hurting so badly for installers, and when the engineer job came up, I am pretty sure I didn't get it because the recruiter was holding a grudge. This was a female and Im not bashing women, but I feel that this was a case of a woman holding a grudge and being on a power trip.

So no you can't just trust them. They are people. People have motives. The more people they place, the more money they make, and here is the big one; You will be reaping the rewards or suffering the consequences of this kinda of decision long after the recruiter has taken the money and run.

I had a similar situation, only I cannot explain recruiter's reaction.

A recruiter sent me to a Top 3 financial securities company for a Cisco Engineer position. After hearing "Congratulations, you've got the job!" an executive did not approve the position. Even though in the eyes of the recruiter I was a valuable merchandise that is EASY to sell, I NEVER heard from him again. Why?

pwjohnston

undomiel wrote:

Just remember, to a recruiter you're the product and the employer is the client. They always try to please the client. So no matter what they say no they aren't really putting your best interests first.

I second that. They are NOT interested in your career, your personal development, or a position that is best for you. All they are concerned with is filling their open positions with bodies and getting their cut (generally 5 to 10%) of whatever salary is offered. Which is actually the only thing they are good for, pumping up your salary. The more you get hired for the more they make.

blargoe

They are salespeople. They are selling a service to companies. That is not to say don't deal with them, but keep in mind the reality of the situation. I have my current job because of a relationship with a recruiter. Just don't let them pressure you and push you around.

snadam

if you trust them like you would trust a used car salesman, then you will be fine. They are in it for the money; nothing more. Id use them, but VERY cautiously.

danclarke

As with any walk of life, there are the good and the bad.

Some recruitment agents are definitely trustworthy. They see their job as "closing a deal" between you and a potential employer, and as such they do not misuse you.

Others perhaps might see you as a commodity to clinch a deal with the client as quickly as possible.

Always remember, though, that the employer is the client - not you.

nel

Nope, i wouldnt because they are not in it to help you there in it for the price they get for you...my gf recently gt a job (which she wanted) and she found out later that the agency got £1k for her appointment.

blargoe

You make it sound like it's evil they got paid for making a successful placement... why shouldn't they get paid for their work?

nel

blargoe wrote:

You make it sound like it's evil they got paid for making a successful placement... why shouldn't they get paid for their work?

i just think thats an bloated price tag considering you could probably advertise it cheaper elsewhere too...imo. Also the fact that my girlfriend gets paid peanuts for a pretty demanding job, mentally and physically, then i would rather her have got the 1k!

pooker

um ok I have a question?

Whats up with these recruiters turning people down cause they dont like you?

can they really do that, I mean seriously , are they at the top of the food chain or something for the company and get paid more than everyone else? Why else could they refuse someone who has amazing skill set over someone else they just like, in fact what are the requirements to get a job as a recruiter?

Grynder

Whats up with these recruiters turning people down cause they dont like you?

That is part of the job of a recruiter. Recruiters exist because companies don't want to use their time to evaluate a bunch of potential employees. They hire recruiters to narrow down the search.
If you don't make a good impression on the recruiter, how can he/she assume you will make a good impression on your potential employer?

Matt2000

A recruiter is a lazy-ass who sits in their office and orders logo'd merchandise for their company to give out at Job Fairs and such.

They search the internet job boards all day for candidates and attempt to "sell" these people for positions.

Personally, recruiters are rather worthless...they are nothing in the hiring chain other than an interface between you and management...and are usually held to a number of hires within a certain time frame.

Most can be relatively pushy, and once they consult with you - and send an initial job offer, are reluctant to speak with you again in an attempt to avoid the salary bargaining and chipping away at offering other benefits and such.

They are a necessary evil, but don't trust what they say to an extent. Search for the company on the internet, obtain EXACT job descriptions - ask for referal names to speak with about the company, ask to speak to your potential "boss"...these should all be things that a recruiter is willing to do for you to get you into the company.

As someone posted before, you are just a product. The can of beans on the shelf of the store...