Prepare for Job Recruiter's Call
—Kate Traynor
BETHESDA, MD, 20 September 2001 — What do
you do when a job recruiter calls?
The Association of
Executive Search Consultants represents agencies that recruit executive-level
employees for corporate clients. Although the organization’s
advice is targeted toward executives, the information
is useful for anyone who might be approached by a
job recruiter.
Confidentiality. You may not want your current employer
to know that you have been approached by a search
agency—and the recruiter should respect this.
The recruiter should obtain your permission to contact
you at work or speak with people you list as employment
references.
Disclosure. Find out who is paying the recruiter,
and under what conditions the recruiting agency will
receive its fee. Retained search consultants, who
work under contract for different employers, are
paid by the employer to look for job candidates who
fulfill the specific needs of the company. Other
recruiters work for employers on a contingency basis,
meaning that they get paid only when they find a
candidate to fill the position.
Employment agencies work for the job applicant instead
of the employer, and are not really recruiters. A
reputable agency will charge a fee to an employer
when a job fit is made. Less savory agencies may
charge job-seekers high fees for helping them find
work, whether the search is successful or not.
Details. A good recruiter lets job applicants know
what to expect, and when to expect it. The recruiter
should tell you when to expect a job interview, what
happens if you make it to the next round of interviews,
and when the position is likely to be filled.
Consistency. Information provided by the recruiter
should not conflict with information provided by
the company doing the hiring. Ask for clarification
if you are receiving inconsistent signals from the
recruiter and the employer.
No Pressure. The decision to accept or reject a
job offer is yours, and a recruiter should not pressure
you to decide in a hurry. But you should find out
if the employer has imposed any deadlines for filling
the position, because missing an important date could
cost you the job.
Even though that job recruiter's call can be exciting,
you still need to maintain a realistic view of the
process. You are likely to be one of several candidates
for the job, and it is up to the employer to decide
which candidate is the best fit for the organization.
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