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Recruiter question... long, sorry!

I keep running into this problem and I don't know the answer. I was hoping someone here would know...

So, I found a job posting for "Company W" yesterday on Monster.com. I was planning to apply through the site but didn't have time last night. Today I got a call from a recruiter saying he knew of a position at Company W and thought it would be perfect for me. I said I already knew of it. He asked if I'd applied yet and I said not yet. He said he'd email me the job description and call me back later to discuss it.

Am I under any obligation at this point to apply for the job through him? On the one hand I don't want to be shady, and if I apply via Monster.com and it turns out he is the one who listed the position there, it might look that way. On the other hand, applying directly is vastly preferable to me.

This has happened to me at least three times. Does anyone have any advice?

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Re: Recruiter question... long, sorry!

  • My first question is, why is it vastly preferable for you to apply directly? Wouldn't you want to use an "in" of having a recruiter who has talked to you directly and can move things along?

    If you really want to directly apply, I'd just tell him you already applied directly via monster.com, and see what he comes back with.

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  • There are times that going through an avenue that has an in for a position can be the better way to go. I have never had success in applying through a staffing/recruitment firm but that is just me. I prefer to apply direct.

     Some points to consider is have you signed an agreement with the staffing/recruitment company? Does this agreement have a statement about going around the agency directly to the employer? If you have signed this document then you can be held in violation of this agreement. I can understand why they do have agreements in place because they are in the busy to make money.

    It almost seems like a catch 22.  

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  • I have no agreement of any kind with this recruiter, it's just a random guy who called me on the phone. The extent of our relationship is in my OP. He may have no relationship with Company W at all, a lot of recruiters work this way... they make it sound like the job is theirs to recruit for, and then they turn around and tell the company "we have this really great person who'd be perfect for the position"... i.e. third-party recruiters.

    I prefer to be hired directly because then I don't have to be on a contractor basis through the recruiting company for 3-6 months. I can start receiving benefits ASAP and have job security. Also, recruiters take a huge cut/fee for matching you up with a company, which can sometimes prevent you from getting the salary you'd like (it can work the other way as well, I've had both experiences). Unless you need help negotiating or want to do contracting, I can't think of any reason why someone would prefer going through a third-party recruiter.

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  • I'll preface my responses by saying I've had vastly different recruiter experiences.

    imageJennJenn613:

    I have no agreement of any kind with this recruiter, it's just a random guy who called me on the phone. The extent of our relationship is in my OP. He may have no relationship with Company W at all, a lot of recruiters work this way... they make it sound like the job is theirs to recruit for, and then they turn around and tell the company "we have this really great person who'd be perfect for the position"... i.e. third-party recruiters.

    Then I'd ask him who he works for, and if he's directly contracted with Company W. We have a recruiter on staff for our company, so there is no 3rd party stuff going on.

    I prefer to be hired directly because then I don't have to be on a contractor basis through the recruiting company for 3-6 months. I can start receiving benefits ASAP and have job security. Also, recruiters take a huge cut/fee for matching you up with a company, which can sometimes prevent you from getting the salary you'd like (it can work the other way as well, I've had both experiences). Unless you need help negotiating or want to do contracting, I can't think of any reason why someone would prefer going through a third-party recruiter.

    Maybe it's industry-specific, but I had a recruiter help me get my last job, and there was no contractor status through the recruiting company. I honestly don't even know what that means. And my recruiter (and the ones DH worked with) never impacted our salaries.

    It worked out well for me in my last job search because I was moving interstate and didn't have any connections in the new state. A recruiter contacted me, acted as liaison, and was very helpful in making everyone happy in the end. But if you feel this would be a huge detriment to you, I stand my my suggestion to just tell the guy you've already applied and moving on.

    GL

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    Our little Irish rose came to us on March 5, 2010
    Don't drink the water.
    Disclaimer: I am not an MD. Please don't PM me with pregnancy-related questions. Ask your doctor.
  • imageJennJenn613:

    I prefer to be hired directly because then I don't have to be on a contractor basis through the recruiting company for 3-6 months. I can start receiving benefits ASAP and have job security. Also, recruiters take a huge cut/fee for matching you up with a company, which can sometimes prevent you from getting the salary you'd like (it can work the other way as well, I've had both experiences). Unless you need help negotiating or want to do contracting, I can't think of any reason why someone would prefer going through a third-party recruiter.

    You don't always have to get hired as a contractor when using a 3rd party recruiter.  I would ask the recruiter if he has been hired by the company to fill that position.  Sometimes the recruiter will present candidates to the company without having an agreement with them.  In that case he won't be helping you at all.  I used to work in recruiting, so I would recommend you also apply direclty online through monster.

    Working with a recruiter can help you get an in with the company. A recruiter is also going to be paid a fee based on the starting salary, so he will try to get you the highest salary possible.  It might be worth your while working through him if you're already intersted in the job.  Good luck!

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  •  

     

    I work in recruitment and chances are it was the recruiter who posted  the ad on monster. If the company has hired an external recruiter to create their short list the hiring manager is not sourcing for this position personally.

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