The reason why recruiters are needed is because companies are very bad in answering and maintaining their job posts and open positions. Recruiter will spend tim

The reason why recruiters are needed is because companies are very bad in answering and maintaining their job posts and open positions. Recruiter will spend time establishing contacts with all possible prospects. Lets take example of seatgeek.com - great way to get applicants. However, did they send at least thank you email to all people which break thru their system (even if person didn't submit resume)? No. On the other hand, good recruiter will definitely follow up - even if a message he/she received from you was not directly about hiring. Did you ever try to get a job in a big company by applying to job post on web site? Just try the following experiment: If a recruiter of some big company (Google, IBM, Symantec, etc.) calls you then just say that you will think about it and you will call him or her back. Then, in parallel, submit your resume to that company web site. You will probably get no answer at all. Then, after waiting, call recruiter back. And, if you are good, they will tell you that can arrange you an interview in a week or so.