another job thread- how sincere are headhunters

[Sunnyday]

So, I've been working with a headhunter.

I don't really know if it'll lead to something; it's hard to get all excited when everything else has fallen through. It's slightly higher than what I'm being paid now, which is reasonable since they only asked for two years of experience. 

The headhunter kept saying how perfect I was and that I had the right combo of experience and background.

It almost sounded like I have it in the bag, but headhunters are always like that, right?

The company has a horrible reputation, but it is a Fortune 500. Salary is rather lousy for a Fortune 500, but this major company has been buying things up left and right, and they recently got into my business and they want to expand.

Can anyone offer any advice when working with a headhunter? I'm not that stupid; I do know that they are working to serve their clients' interests and not mine.

I would appreciate any stories or advice.

[resolution]

DH had a good experience working with a head hunter. He was set up with interviews for four jobs. One of them he decided wasn't what he wanted to do during the phone screening, but the other three he went to interviews and received job offers. He ended up not taking any of them and taking a job he found locally instead. 

The interviews through the head hunter helped him to figure out what he did and didn't want in a job. I think the head hunter would have worked better if DH had known from the beginning what he was looking for and explained it to the guy. The head hunter fed him the jobs one by one and waited until one was resolved before he gave him the next one, so if DH had been able to better define what he wanted from the start he may have gotten more appropriate leads.

[Deleted]

I've used headhunters a few times for job changes and most of them have been fine. I worked in a specialized field and the good ones knew the business (even showed up at our meetings) and the people and the companies, and wanted to keep their good reputations. One drawback is that some companies that run on low budgets (or are downright cheap) may offer less of a relo package if you came through a recruiter (I know a guy who got zero but was so grateful to have a job he took it anyway) or may not offer a signing bonus, to make up for the fact that they're paying a recruiter.

If you're comfortable with the recruiter, go ahead. Major recruiter sins in my book include sending your resume anywhere without your permission, sending you on interviews for jobs that are a poor fit (that the recruiter should have known were a poor fit) or pressuring you to take an offer for a job that doesn't interest you. You should also let them know if you plan to approach a company on your own (e.g., you have contacts there). Otherwise, if your resume gets there first through the recruiter, he/she could demand a fee if you're hired.

[buystoys]

My experiences with headhunters was also good.  Athena covered most of the suggestions I'd give. 

You can also take the perspective that the headhunter is also working for you.  If you are clear on what position you are looking for, your skills for that job, and salary requirements, then they can use their skills to place you in that "right" spot.  After all, if you aren't a good fit, then they won't GET a commission!  The good ones don't want to waste their time, either. 

[whoisjohngalt]

Liars liars liars.  may be a half step above car salesmen.

I met one honest one, he quit very shortly, couldn't handle all the BS

[Opti]

Rainyday, its going to come down to the personality and ethics of the one you deal with.

As long as you remember they aren't working for you and help you only if it helps them

fill a slot, you'll be fine.

[emma1420]

I think it's highly dependent upon your industry.   In my industry HH's are only used for C-suite employees.  As I am not one, I suspect that any HH who approached me wouldn't be on the up-and-up.  The only time I have worked with a HH is when they are contracted out by the potential employer to find a candidate (rather than working for me).

But, I know in other industries HH's are quite common.  So I think it just all depends.

[Bob Ross]

Jul 31, 2014 20:47:52 GMT -5 Sunnyday said:

Can anyone offer any advice when working with a headhunter? I'm not that stupid; I do know that they are working to serve their clients' interests and not mine.

Actually, headhunters are kinda working in your interest, in that they only get paid their commission if they place you somewhere, so the good ones will work their butt off to get their money. But they're not working in your interest when it comes to finding you the right job. Often they'll do their utmost to push you into one of the positions they currently have available, regardless of whether it's the right fit or not.

I can't tell you how many times I've had a headhunter try to push me into a lesser job, only to tell them "no" and clearly state my requirements, and then have them come back at me with yet another lesser job. You have to be a bit firm with these people.

[Sunnyday]

Aug 1, 2014 9:27:43 GMT -5 Bob Ross said:

Jul 31, 2014 20:47:52 GMT -5 Sunnyday said:

Can anyone offer any advice when working with a headhunter? I'm not that stupid; I do know that they are working to serve their clients' interests and not mine.

Actually, headhunters are kinda working in your interest, in that they only get paid their commission if they place you somewhere, so the good ones will work their butt off to get their money. But they're not working in your interest when it comes to finding you the right job. Often they'll do their utmost to push you into one of the positions they currently have available, regardless of whether it's the right fit or not.

I can't tell you how many times I've had a headhunter try to push me into a lesser job, only to tell them "no" and clearly state my requirements, and then have them come back at me with yet another lesser job. You have to be a bit firm with these people.

Dude, this was serious  advice. I got all excited that you quoted me and I was sure that you would make me laugh with some one-line zinger!

The recruiting company specializes in the field, but the headhunter was very clueless about the field. Yeah, I think that I'm pretty small fish to them, and the company that they are recruiting for is huge.  Like H-U-G-E! I feel like I know where I stand.

[Deleted]

Aug 1, 2014 10:30:24 GMT -5 Sunnyday said:

The recruiting company specializes in the field, but the headhunter was very clueless about the field. Yeah, I think that I'm pretty small fish to them, and the company that they are recruiting for is huge.  Like H-U-G-E! I feel like I know where I stand.

Ah, clueless recruiters. I had one ask me if I'd ever worked in reinsurance. My employer at the time was a reinsurance company and "Reinsurance" was part of the corporate name. Then there was the bright, chirpy young woman who rattled off a job description for an A&H actuary. I explained that that wasn't my area and gave her the name of a consulting firm that would have a bunch of them. She thanked me and said, "By the way, what does 'A&H' stand for?" (The answer: Accident and Health.)

[ZaireinHD]

I started off working in corporate by temping. which lasted for 10 to 12 years temping. trying to get hired at the companies I was working at. my female friends were being hire and some there contracts were being bought out!

if you're working at a company as their employee - permanent job - paid by that company. it's best NOT to leave that job for a temp job. even if your headhunter is only looking for permanent jobs. they tell you all the nice shit you want to hear. as Bob Ross has said - commission is their motivation. they will tell you yea it's temp to perm or yea it's temp for 3 or 4 months and you'll get hired by the company.

used car sales men / Headhunters
same difference