One of the reasons why headhunters get a bad rap is because they rudely blow off job seekers without ... [+]
Both active and passive job seekers feel like they have a precarious relationship with headhunters. Despite your protests of being happy at work, some recruiters will not leave you alone and will pressure you into going on an interview. When you desperately need their help, the headhunter ignores your calls, emails and texts and ghosts you.
Now’s The Time To Use The Help Of A Recruiter
The boom times are over. The United States is now in a new, more restrictive economy, characterized by runaway inflation, corporate cost-cutting, layoffs, hiring freezes and job offer rescissions.
The sudden shift in the job market may have prompted you to start thinking about getting in touch with a recruiter. Your job feels relatively safe, but you may want to find a few good recruiters to keep a watchful eye open for good opportunities—just in case you’re next on the chopping block.
It’s A Dog-Eat-Dog, Cutthroat Business
Headhunters technically work on behalf of the company, as they are the ones who pay the bills. However, since it’s a two-way street, the recruiter must also make the job seeker happy.
If you are a white-collar worker at the mid to senior level, just below the C-suite, most of the search professionals you’ll come in contact with are “contingent” recruiters. The hiring company executes a placement agreement with the search firm to seek applicants for specific roles.
Contingent recruiters don’t have exclusivity. The company can reach out to other search firms, their internal talent acquisition professionals also conduct searches, and the firm may place ads on external job boards.
It’s an “eat what you kill” environment. A headhunter can spend weeks or months sourcing, interviewing, selling, cajoling and nurturing candidates throughout the interview process, but if the firm picks someone else, all that time is for naught.
There is no second prize. All it takes is an internal candidate to get the job or a competing search firm to make the placement. The other recruiters and search firms don't earn anything for all their time and efforts.
Now, It All Makes Sense
Now that you know how the process works, it makes perfect sense. An experienced recruiter knows when you are highly likely to get an offer and they’ll earn a hefty fee of around 20 to 25% of the base annual salary for making the placement. The financial reward is a huge incentive to get you in the door before anyone else does.
If you possess all the right skills, experiences, education, credentials, strong interpersonal and communications skills and are within the salary bands, the recruiter will relentlessly pursue you.
This is why you feel the pressure and arm-twisting of a headhunter. The recruiter feels confident that you will get the job and a sizable increase in pay and corporate title, and they’ll earn a handsome fee for making it happen.
Why Recruiters Get A Bad Rap
One of the reasons why headhunters get a bad rap is because they rudely blow off job seekers without explaining why they are being so abrupt. It would be better if they just told you the truth.
If you do not possess the right skills and background, it is not in the best financial interests of the recruiter to spend too much time on you. They know that you are not suitable for the job and the more time spent with you takes away from seeking out more on-target prospects.
Good recruiters will politely explain why they are giving you short shrift, by stating, “I’m sorry. Unfortunately, you do not meet the company's criteria for this position. However, this doesn’t mean you are not a great candidate for other roles. I’ll gladly keep you in mind for opportunities that are a better fit. Thank you for understanding.”
