Recruiters - whose job is it?

[jerrytuttle]

I sometimes hear of recruiters placing people into companies which are undergoing rumors of problems such as potential layoffs or potential sale of the company. An experienced actuary should read the press, network with other actuaries to learn about these things, and make an informed decision about employment. A less experienced actuary may assume the recruiter is doing this sort of research, and the actuary may be very surprised to have just joined a company that has well-known rumors of layoffs.

Does anyone think is it is the recruiter's job to do this sort of research, especially when the rumors are at least reported about in the press? Obviously we don't want recruiters slandering the companies.

[Fletch]

Buyer beware! The recruiter gets paid regardless of the company situation. Always remember that no matter how interested they seem in your well being, the bottom line is that a recruiter is working to get their cut from placing you somewhere. That company may not always be in your best interest.

[WWSituation]

A recruiter doesn't get paid if you don't stay 3-6 months. Besides, if they are conerned about any future relations, or at the minimum are ethical, they would communicate information that any reasonable person would deem important to make an educated choice.

[Alya]

On 2002-03-26 13:17, WWSituation wrote:
A recruiter doesn't get paid if you don't stay 3-6 months.

What happens if you are laid off in, say, 2 months? Is it the same as if you left on your own?

[minnie SNOW dah]

What publications do actuaries read? What publications have good info about companies? Which are the best industry publications?

[Ms. Re]

minnie: everything that you need is available on the internet

to answer the original question, if you are smart you'll do your own research on companies...a good recruiter should at least have a sense of how a company is doing, but I'd never assume that is the case...caveat emptor!

[Double High C]

On 2002-03-26 13:20, Alya wrote:

What happens if you are laid off in, say, 2 months? Is it the same as if you left on your own?

I would assyume that the recruiter would get paid in this situation, since it is the employer who is making the decision, and there is no bad faith on the part of the recruiter toward the employer.

[minnie SNOW dah]

Ms. Re,
Yes, I'm sure everything is available on the internet. What sites do you recommend?

[WWSituation]

Everything on the internet is true, also. Try the message boards on vault.com.