Recruiter or not?

[A-Head]

I know people have talked about the good, the bad, and the ugly about using recruiters but I'd like some more input...

Do recruiters really get you a better deal in the end? I know they set everything up and do the negotiating which is appreciated. But when it comes down to it, would you use them for a job that's publicly advertised (company website, monster, hotjobs, etc)? Can they negotiate a better salary for you so, even after their cut, you're better off in the end?

Also, if you see a job posting online and then your recruiter sends it to you, would you apply for it yourself since you originally found it or let the recruiter take care of that?

Thanks!

[Not Mike]

Originally Posted by A-Head

I know people have talked about the good, the bad, and the ugly about using recruiters but I'd like some more input...

Do recruiters really get you a better deal in the end? I know they set everything up and do the negotiating which is appreciated. But when it comes down to it, would you use them for a job that's publicly advertised (company website, monster, hotjobs, etc)? Can they negotiate a better salary for you so, even after their cut, you're better off in the end?

Also, if you see a job posting online and then your recruiter sends it to you, would you apply for it yourself since you originally found it or let the recruiter take care of that?

Thanks!

With respect to the negotiating, I've had a mixed bag of results (and know of others that have run into the same thing). Sometimes, when you get to the endgame, and you're getting an offer, the recruiter stops representing you and starts seeing dollar signs, because they are about to get paid. At that point, sealing the deal is more important to that recruiter than getting you the best deal. Because if you don't seal the deal, then the past 3 months that they've spent working with you leave them without any compensation.

To say the least, I'm a bit skeptical when it comes to how much negotiating some recruiters are really doing. In some cases, I think you're better off applying on your own. Personally, I think the real value of the recruiter is GETTING you an interview, not necessarily any of the stuff that happens after that.

[actexp]

Unless recruiter knows of a job that you don't (for example, on a retained search), or has a special "in" with a particular company, I personally don't think they help all that much. The recruiter fee is a hefty amount, so from employer standpoint I much prefer candidate coming to me directly.

[SamAdams]

I applied to an actuarial job posted on the company website and monster.com. Actually I even emailed some employees that I found off of the soa directory. I heard nothing back until my recruiter talked to them and I got a home office interview without even speaking to anyone from the company.

[Westley]

It depends on how good the recruiter is and how good you are at the things that the recruiter can do for you. I think the critical areas are:

1 Finding a job that makes sense for a person (or finding the person, depending on whether you are hiring or looking to be hired)
2 Selling the person and getting them in the door for an interview (includes interview prep)
3 Negotiating

For 1, depends on how specific your criteria are. Even if you have good connections, a good recruiter can cover more ground than you.
For 2, it varies wildly based on lots of circumstances.
For 3, it depends on how good you and the employer are at handling this.

Point 1: My first and last jobs that I got through a recruiter, I would never have found without a recruiter.
Point 2 and 3: my recruiters have spent a lot of time telling me how much they are helping me, but they have rarely actually helped on these. On the other hand, I think most actuaries are very clumsy when it comes to negotiating, and recruiters can probably help in a large majority of situations.

[dec0y]

You can always use a recruiter and continue the job search on your own as well.

[LifeAct]

Originally Posted by dec0y

You can always use a recruiter and continue the job search on your own as well.

If you do this, then you need to be careful that you are the recruiter don't both contact the same company.

[JMO]

Originally Posted by LifeAct

If you do this, then you need to be careful that you are the recruiter don't both contact the same company.

Professional recruiters always check with you first to be sure it's not a company you already contacted.

[Westley]

Originally Posted by JMO

Professional recruiters always check with you first to be sure it's not a company you already contacted.

Both of them do that?

[Westley]

Just kidding... sort of. JMO is correct, but don't be too quick to assume you are dealing with somebody who is protecting your interests/acting ethically/professional/whatever.

I always advocate getting to know a recruiter a lot better than the average candidate does before being willing to work with them.