Frequently Asked Questions

• A recruiter usually has access to decision makers within an organization and will improve the chances of your resume getting to the top of the stack.

• Being presented to a company by a well-connected recruiter can increase your creditability by outlining your strengths to the hiring managers.

• A recruiter will help you get compensated fairly based on current market conditions.

• A Recruiter will get you exposure to positions many of which are not advertised.

• Recruiters will work with you as a "coach" throughout your search process. 

A:   Recruiters, sometimes referred to as head-hunters, are independent consultants who work with client companies to locate qualified candidates for professional positions within that company. They do not charge a fee to the job seeker. Fees are paid by the client company.

Recruiting or search firms are not the same as employment agencies, career counselors or outplacement agencies. Recruiters differ from these types of employment-related groups in that they are engaged by an employer to search for qualified candidates and represent the interests of the employer in filling an open position.

A:   There are three types of recruiters: retained, contingent and corporate. Retained recruiters have an exclusive arrangement with the employer and they receive fees for their search at the beginning of a search assignment. Contingent recruiters work on assignments without a retainer fee. They receive payment from the employer only if a candidate they present to the employer is hired. Corporate recruiters are employees of the corporation.

• Ask recruiters who contact you about the process of presenting qualified candidates to employers and the method of presenting or distributing your resume.

• Most of the time, recruiter cannot disclose the name of the employer to you until the employer have interest in you and wishes to set up an interview. Depending on the relationship with the company, the recruiter may present your resume with only your name on it.

• It is unethical to go directly to the employer after hearing about a position through a recruiter. Recruiters and companies usually have an agreement stipulating that a fee will be incurred if the company hires a presented candidate within a period of time. If you attempt to go around the agreement, the recruiter will invoice the client company. Reputable companies will avoid such disputes, and will not want to hire you under those circumstances.

• Recruiters may modify resumes they submit to their client companies which may only mean that they want to either emphasize your experience or provide a consistent format to the client company. You may ask the recruiter send you a copy of the resume they are submitting to their client, so that you are not taken by surprise in the interview. However, do not use this copy to circulate to other recruiters.