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Finding a Job - Recruiters

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What is a Recruiter?

Recruiters (also known as search firms, headhunters, or executive recruiters) match candidates with job openings. Companies pay recruiters to find suitable applicants for their open positions. Recruiters do not charge the candidates’ fees for their services. This is an important fact to keep in mind when searching for a recruiter because many organizations will call themselves recruiters when they are in fact employment agencies, which charge applicants fees for their services.

Types of Recruiters

  • Contingency-Based Recruiters: Contingency-based recruiters are hired by an organization to conduct a specific search, and are paid only if they present a candidate who is hired. They usually deal with job openings that are below $100k/year, and often focus on junior and midlevel positions. In addition, contingency-based recruiters often compete with other firms when presenting candidates for job openings; therefore, they are likely to submit as many candidates as possible. This may be a benefit because it increases your exposure to multiple positions. However, this exposure may also lead you to be presented for jobs that are not a good match for your skills. In order to avoid poor position matches it is recommended that you have an open flow of communication with the recruiter about the positions to which you are applying.
  • Retainer-Based Recruiters: Retainer-based firms are hired by a company to be the sole provider of recruiting services, and usually conduct multiple searches for their company clients. They are paid whether or not their candidate is hired. Unlike contingency-based firms, it is common for you to work with only one staff member at a retainer-based firm. This means that you will be “off-limits” to other members of the firm, which may limit the positions you are presented. Therefore, it is recommended that you send your materials to multiple retainer-based firms in order to increase your exposure.

Finding Recruiters

The most comprehensive source of information about recruiters is the Directory of Executive Recruiters. It lists both Retainer-Based and Contingency-Based firms by geographical location and business function. A copy of the Directory of Executive Recruiters is in the Center for Career Education and there are also copies available in most public libraries.

In addition, recruiting firms can be found online, in professional publications, and through networking connections. Please see “Additional Websites and Articles” for links to recruiters.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Working with Recruiters

Below is a list of tips for working with recruiters.
  • Draft a detailed cover letter. The content of this cover letter is different from one that you might send to a prospective employer, primarily because you are trying to help the recruiter consider you for multiple positions, rather than match your qualifications to only one specific job opening.
  • Make sure you have developed a clear and concise cover letter BEFORE sending it to a recruiter. It is not a recruiter’s job to help you develop and edit these documents.
  • When emailing recruiters paste your cover letter and resume into your email message and send them as attachments. This makes it easier for recruiters to look at your information and store it in the appropriate file.
  • If possible, address your email to a particular person, hopefully one who is listed as specializing in your career area.
  • When speaking with recruiters you need to be articulate, answer questions directly and intelligently and express a certain level of passion about your career and what you want to do. The call or meeting should be treated as an interview.
  • Err on being formal versus casual with recruiters because, during your interaction, a recruiter will judge how you will behave with clients.
  • Keep in contact with the headhunter. If he or she thinks you want to work with him or her, the recruiter is more likely to make an effort to place you. Email any recruiter who contacts you approximately once per week.
Remember to work with as many firms as possible, since any one of them could be conducting a search in your area, even if they are not located there.

Additional Websites and Articles