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Job/Recruiter Help
So, some of you know what I do for a living but without getting into too much detail, I work for the local government in the criminal justice field for the past almost 7 years. However, in the past two or so years, I have been extremely unhappy, underpaid, underappreciated, etc. but have failed to pull the plug because am scared to lose the flexibility which is pretty amazing at this point. I have applied for a PHD program in my field but have not heard a response and honestly believe it is a long-shot for me anyways.
I would like to stay with the government due to their benefits, pension and because I already have my foot in the door but don't know how to go about looking for a new job. I know in my area we do not post openings for certain positions and am unsure how to ascertain where jobs openings are listed and was wondering if it would be worth going through a recruiter. So my questions are where to locate these recruiters? Do recruiters work in specific fields/areas of expertise? Do they handle government related jobs? Are they even worth it? Are any of your jobs hiring 
Re: Job/Recruiter Help
I am pretty sure that most federal gov't FT jobs would not pay the expense of a recruiter, since they have the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), but visit https://www.usajobs.gov/
FYI re: pensions and finding a job with the Commonwealth; the governor is looking to completely overhaul the pension system and eliminate it for new hires and look to put them in a state-sponsored 401K. Most counties on the PA side (Bucks, Montco, Chesco, Delco) do their own internal hiring; however, they have a lean staff and it can sometimes take a significant amount of time to get back to you. I don't know the practice in Jerz.
Good luck!
Thank you. Honestly, I have no clue how a recruiter works or how they get paid but that makes sense about the feds and will check the website of the OPM.
Also, I know I wrote pension but that is not a deal breaker. I am already vested into my pension but was just throwing out some good things about working with them but appreciate the heads up about the state pensions.
I just feel so unsure of what to do. I feel this place as destroyed what ambitions I've had and can't wait to get out but I need to be smart about my plan and try to have something figured out. Thanks again!
In most cases (not all), a recruiter is hired by the company to screen/vet candidates. Both the recruiter and the company interview the candidates (usually separate interviews--recruiter goes first). If offered the job, the recruiter is paid 50% of the "finder's fee" upon the candidate's acceptance of the position. This is where it gets tricky--in the first 90 days, the candidate/employee is bound by a contract with the recruitment agency, but is working for the company. In other words, your paycheck comes from your new company, but you guarantee to the recruiter that you will not screw up royally/quit during that time/seek other opportunities, etc. I don't know if there are financial repercussions from the recruitment agency and the candidate if things turn sour. After those 90 days, if all goes well, the recruiter receives the other 50% of the "finder's fee."
The finder's fee is paid by the company to the recruiter. In essence, the recruiter is vouching for you as a candidate and has taken on the risk of losing money if the candidate does not deliver.