3 ms·

I think the problem is that the incentives generally aren't aligned and it's in your interest to be informed anyway about the opportunities near you. If you're

I think the problem is that the incentives generally aren't aligned and it's in your interest to be informed anyway about the opportunities near you. If you're employable spend a few hours or so and do your own research. Make a list of interesting companies that meet your criteria and contact 'em directly. You get to know you are making the more informed choice and from the money they save on not using a recruiter you can try to leverage a starting bonus or additional compensation. I'd maybe pay for a recruiter that would be willing to do this for me but that isn't how they work. They get reqs and fill them which works for them and their clients but really isn't in your best interests.

scarface74 10y ago
I think the problem is that the incentives generally aren't aligned and it's in your interest to be informed anyway about the opportunities near you. How are their incentives not aligned with yours? They want to find you a job that is a good fit for both you and the company so you stick around for at least a year so they can get their commission. Your incentive is that you want a job that meets your requirements. They give you the initial lead. It is still your responsibility to close the deal.
- siliconc0w 10y ago
  There is a difference between filling the reqs they've been given and finding you the best job in your area (or even outside for remote/relocate). They could have a SWE job for, say, Disney and suggest hey that is the best fit but there are at least hundreds of places near me who need software engineers they aren't going to consider because they didn't hire them. If you do your research, interview at several places you find interesting, and negotiate you're are almost certainly going to a find a place you like better and be better compensated because you're working within the entire possibility space and they're working within their client list.
  - scarface74 10y ago
    Looking at my spreadsheet that I used to track jobs I was applying to last year, I started the process (phone screen -> in person interview -> offer) with 16 companies using 7 recruiters. I had six phone screens in one day. The next week after coming back into town, I had three in person interviews in two days. I had the offer combination I wanted within two weeks with the right combination of salary/technology/commute/title. Those 16 only represent the companies I actively engaged with, there were others I didn't pursue because they didn't meet my requirements. Similar with recruiters. The 6-7 recruiters only represent the subset of 20 that had anything interesting at the time I was looking. As far as negotiating, if you have studied the market, and interviewed at a lot of places - by talking to lots of recruiters and former coworkers you kept in touch with - you basically know your salary range within 3%. If going in, you were realistic with your salary requirements, and you set a minimum with your recruiter. Negotiation isn't necessary. You should be able to get your market value.

scarface74 10y ago

I think the problem is that the incentives generally aren't aligned and it's in your interest to be informed anyway about the opportunities near you. How are their incentives not aligned with yours? They want to find you a job that is a good fit for both you and the company so you stick around for at least a year so they can get their commission. Your incentive is that you want a job that meets your requirements. They give you the initial lead. It is still your responsibility to close the deal.

siliconc0w 10y ago
There is a difference between filling the reqs they've been given and finding you the best job in your area (or even outside for remote/relocate). They could have a SWE job for, say, Disney and suggest hey that is the best fit but there are at least hundreds of places near me who need software engineers they aren't going to consider because they didn't hire them. If you do your research, interview at several places you find interesting, and negotiate you're are almost certainly going to a find a place you like better and be better compensated because you're working within the entire possibility space and they're working within their client list.
- scarface74 10y ago
  Looking at my spreadsheet that I used to track jobs I was applying to last year, I started the process (phone screen -> in person interview -> offer) with 16 companies using 7 recruiters. I had six phone screens in one day. The next week after coming back into town, I had three in person interviews in two days. I had the offer combination I wanted within two weeks with the right combination of salary/technology/commute/title. Those 16 only represent the companies I actively engaged with, there were others I didn't pursue because they didn't meet my requirements. Similar with recruiters. The 6-7 recruiters only represent the subset of 20 that had anything interesting at the time I was looking. As far as negotiating, if you have studied the market, and interviewed at a lot of places - by talking to lots of recruiters and former coworkers you kept in touch with - you basically know your salary range within 3%. If going in, you were realistic with your salary requirements, and you set a minimum with your recruiter. Negotiation isn't necessary. You should be able to get your market value.