| Topic Name: |
Headhunters |
| Message Name: |
Not necessarily fake |
| Date Posted: |
03/08/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
I responded to an ad and e-mailed my resume to one of the headhunting firms, only to find that they have "similar" jobs but not quite the one they advertised. I'm beginning to think that they are just a waste of time. Any thoughts? |
| Message: |
I have heard rumours of some recruiters who post filled positions or positions that don't exist, but can't confirm this to be true.
However, with on-line positions, sometimes the position has been filled, but the ad gets recycled either by because they have not updated the status of the position yet, or they have paid to have the ad for several weeks, and it keeps getting reposted on the job search site.
Keep in mind too that even if the posting is new, the recruiter has likely already sent two or three qualified resumes, so you will only have a chance if they don't pan out.
So why would they post positions that are in the process of being filled? I can only guess that it is their only real opportunity to advertise positions, and attract resumes for their inventory. After all, they can't advertise positions until the client has signed on the dotted line, and as I said, they usually have people already lined up for the job.
Having said that, I don't think they are a waste of time. Just don't expect to get the advertised position. Somewhere down the road, there will likely be another position available that will suit your needs, and you will then be one of the first to be considered.
Also, don't let your name get stale with the recruiters. Give them a phone call one every week or two for updates on any new positions that might be coming open.
One last thought, IMHO you should do some research on the recruiting firm(s) you wish to deal with. Find out which recruiter on staff has the most "position flow", or who tends to specialize in your particular job area. The reason is that if you are dealing with recruiter A, and recruiter B (within the same firm) is the one with the client, if you are placed for the position, then recruiter A & B will have to split the commission, whereas if you had dealt with recruiter B from the outset, then he would get the entire commission. Yeah, I know, they say that they only want to send the best candidate since they don't want to lose out to another firm, but I can't help but feel that if Recruiter B already has an equally qualified candidate or two, he may be very hesitant to present you as well and risk having to split the commission.
Just my opinion though.
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