Competent recruiters with good reputations and connections are like gold - especially in markets that aren't "Software Developer in Coastal USA". They know the

Competent recruiters with good reputations and connections are like gold - especially in markets that aren't "Software Developer in Coastal USA". They know the state of the market, the main players, who is looking, who is good to work for, what the pay is going to be and whether applying is worth your time. They understand the value of establishing relationships with good people and will work to ensure a good fit for all involved, because the only thing better than a $20k bonus for getting someone into a job is getting a $30k bonus a couple years later by doing barely any work because both sides of the deal came to you. This is almost exactly like the difference between good, high value sales, and telemarketing. One is a relationships game, one is a commodified numbers game. Don't be a commodity, and you won't be treated like one.