Demystifying the Myths About Employee Recruiting

Like them or not, recruitment consultants (otherwise known as “headhunters”) are here to stay. But they are an often misunderstood breed. Before you snub your nose--and scare off a potentially valuable ally--it’s important to clear up some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding these individuals.

Myth #1: If I Don’t Earn A Six-Figure Salary, They Won’t Be Interested in Me.

Visit any of the recruitment websites and you are sure to find a number of mid- to senior- level executive positions ripe for the picking. However, according to the Directory of Executive Recruiters (also known as “The Red Book”), recruitment consultants come in all shapes and sizes. Some firms do indeed focus on upper management positions (the bigger the salary, the bigger their fee). However, there are also a number of recruiting agencies that search for temporary job candidates and even freelancers. And when it comes to employee recruiting, many of these agencies form enduring relationships with their clients over the years. As a result, they are sure to come across a number of junior to mid-level positions as well.

Myth #2: If I Contact the Recruiter, They Are Obligated to Find Me a Job.

In most cases, with regard to job recruitment, the search firm usually is doing most of the digging to find you. However, just because you contact them first doesn’t mean they are your “agent” per se. You can send your information to any one of a number of online recruiters and you still may not receive a single response. Why don’t they spend the time tracking you down? Because the company that ultimately hires them to find job candidates is the one paying the bills. If you happen to fit the criteria, then everybody wins. But if you don’t have the credentials for the positions they are currently searching to fill, your resume will be filed away for future reference and you won’t be filling up your calendar with interviews. At least not until something comes along that you are right for.

Myth #3 Online recruiters have it easy.

Make no bones about it, recruiting not a job for slackers. While it might seem that all an online recruiter has to do is fetch your resume from a job bank and make a few phone calls, they actually juggle a staggering number of responsibilities.

* In addition to cultivating relationships with new and existing clients to find positions to fill, recruitment consultants also have to meet and interview potential job candidates before they can send them off to meet the client. Why? Because if you are not right for the job, or you have terrible interviewing skills, you make the recruiter look bad. And if the recruiter doesn’t make the client feel confident that he or she can deliver the goods, that recruiter may ultimately lose that client.
* Recruiters are also responsible for preparing candidates for their interviews and then getting together (in person or via telephone) to debrief after the interview.
* The recruiter follows up with clients after all of your interviews in order to get feedback that he or she can then pass along to you.
* A recruiter can also help you negotiate salary issues.

Myth #4 If you use a recruiter, the company gives them part of your salary

Make no mistake. You do not pay for the services of a recruiter. When you are hired, you will receive the salary you negotiated for. The recruiter will not receive a “cut.” Recruitment consultants are paid a fee by the company that hires them to find job candidates. They may work on retainer (up-front fee) or on a contingent basis (paid only when the candidates they supply are hired). In either case, you, the job candidate, is never the one footing the bill.