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I'm in the recruitment process right now, the signal-to-noise ratio with recruiters is so low that I've basically stopped paying attention unless they are an in

I'm in the recruitment process right now, the signal-to-noise ratio with recruiters is so low that I've basically stopped paying attention unless they are an internal recruiter. Is it just me, or is it far more productive to simply make it known to your network that you're looking, and let companies come to you? That's what I'm doing this time and it seems to be working quite well. For one thing, my friends won't refer me to bullshit positions, and more often than not I'd already know someone working there, or formerly worked there, who can give me some inside scoop about the work environment and any gotchas. I honestly can't imagine trying to find my way through the meat market that is Dice and Monster.

sanswork 15y ago
If you have a local networked base definitely use it first. If you don't then recruiters are usually the best way. Research them though and pick a few to apply directly to and work with a recruiter there to specify exactly what you want. If you can't stand the recruiter walk away, you're going to want this like this person and maintain a relationship with them. I've been on both sides(posting jobs on big general job sites and posting my resume) and its never been a very good experience.
beamso 15y ago
I'm currently unemployed. I would say that some recruiters are great, just like some internal recruiters are poor. The worst experience I've had this round of interviewing has been with an internal recruiter, where there was both no personality fit between me and the managers/recruiters and the job was not what they had advertised. I alerted my network that I was looking for work before I resigned. I didn't get an attractive offer through my network so I have to look through ads on various job boards. By replying to those ads with applications I eventually got interviews or recruiters calling me back about positions that they had not advertised yet. You are correct in that your friends won't recommend you to a place where they aren't enjoying working or where they don't think you'll enjoy working.
salemh 15y ago
Of course it would be if that network is available / viable and helpful. Most recruiters suck (I'm a recruiter). Most internal recruiters don't know how to head-hunt or source candidates (or, many are generalists, which is why third-party vendors exist (for one variable)). A decent technical recruiter won't send you mechanical engineering positions because your resume listed "engineer" in relation to software, and "machine" in relation to Machine Learning. But, most of us suck. You are in the luck of the draw with Dice / Monster. And it is indeed mess mostly because the war for talent IS very high (at $90-$140,000 levels of base, 5-15 years of experience), so, even if your stated "no relocation" is noted, most of us will still call you to see if we can talk you into relocation. I would suggest leaving off your contact info except a throw-away email address. Leave instructions in your summary (such as Dice, "About candidate: I am only seeking _technology_ in _area_ at _rates_ and am not open for relocation. Thank you.") Do not put it in your resume, as it is unprofessional for anyone who isn't a "cruddy" recruiter. I do think it is silly to discount all positions if they are not from internal recruiters, since, many companies do not employ FT recruiters, or, they have generalists who sift through submitted resumes and third-party vendor submittals. Many Technical Recruiters will actually know just a tad more about tech then a HR Generalist. I used to source for the top 2/3 finance firms, 4/5 top eCommerce which was spread throughout the country. If you were a good talent, I could get you 4-5 interviews with great companies. But, its very recruiter / company dependent. Ergo: Use a network if you have one. A lot of people do not have a network at every "target" company they are trying to reach. Remove most of your contact information and filter through an email (throw-away). If you find a "good" recruiter, keep in touch. Recruiters move around a lot in companies, which can mean exposure to different industries / companies. Don't be a dick. A "good" recruiter many times has the "ear" of a employer when giving more feedback between two candidates they represent at the offer stage. This is a more general advice tip on life, with "don't be a dick." If you find a "good" recruiter, get feedback on your resume. The majority of people are awful about their resume, or, a company may want specifics removed on the resume. EG: top finance firm, would not even look at any resume with a first-page "skills" section that took up an ENTIRE page. 1) you have not the ability to be an expert in a pages worth of tools and technologies, 2) it is not representative of your most recent experience. Small example. Edit: grammar.
j_baker 15y ago
Good recruiters are worth their weight in gold. Seriously. Of course, the problem is always finding the good ones.

sanswork 15y ago

If you have a local networked base definitely use it first. If you don't then recruiters are usually the best way. Research them though and pick a few to apply directly to and work with a recruiter there to specify exactly what you want. If you can't stand the recruiter walk away, you're going to want this like this person and maintain a relationship with them. I've been on both sides(posting jobs on big general job sites and posting my resume) and its never been a very good experience.

beamso 15y ago

I'm currently unemployed. I would say that some recruiters are great, just like some internal recruiters are poor. The worst experience I've had this round of interviewing has been with an internal recruiter, where there was both no personality fit between me and the managers/recruiters and the job was not what they had advertised. I alerted my network that I was looking for work before I resigned. I didn't get an attractive offer through my network so I have to look through ads on various job boards. By replying to those ads with applications I eventually got interviews or recruiters calling me back about positions that they had not advertised yet. You are correct in that your friends won't recommend you to a place where they aren't enjoying working or where they don't think you'll enjoy working.

salemh 15y ago

Of course it would be if that network is available / viable and helpful. Most recruiters suck (I'm a recruiter). Most internal recruiters don't know how to head-hunt or source candidates (or, many are generalists, which is why third-party vendors exist (for one variable)). A decent technical recruiter won't send you mechanical engineering positions because your resume listed "engineer" in relation to software, and "machine" in relation to Machine Learning. But, most of us suck. You are in the luck of the draw with Dice / Monster. And it is indeed mess mostly because the war for talent IS very high (at $90-$140,000 levels of base, 5-15 years of experience), so, even if your stated "no relocation" is noted, most of us will still call you to see if we can talk you into relocation. I would suggest leaving off your contact info except a throw-away email address. Leave instructions in your summary (such as Dice, "About candidate: I am only seeking _technology_ in _area_ at _rates_ and am not open for relocation. Thank you.") Do not put it in your resume, as it is unprofessional for anyone who isn't a "cruddy" recruiter. I do think it is silly to discount all positions if they are not from internal recruiters, since, many companies do not employ FT recruiters, or, they have generalists who sift through submitted resumes and third-party vendor submittals. Many Technical Recruiters will actually know just a tad more about tech then a HR Generalist. I used to source for the top 2/3 finance firms, 4/5 top eCommerce which was spread throughout the country. If you were a good talent, I could get you 4-5 interviews with great companies. But, its very recruiter / company dependent. Ergo: Use a network if you have one. A lot of people do not have a network at every "target" company they are trying to reach. Remove most of your contact information and filter through an email (throw-away). If you find a "good" recruiter, keep in touch. Recruiters move around a lot in companies, which can mean exposure to different industries / companies. Don't be a dick. A "good" recruiter many times has the "ear" of a employer when giving more feedback between two candidates they represent at the offer stage. This is a more general advice tip on life, with "don't be a dick." If you find a "good" recruiter, get feedback on your resume. The majority of people are awful about their resume, or, a company may want specifics removed on the resume. EG: top finance firm, would not even look at any resume with a first-page "skills" section that took up an ENTIRE page. 1) you have not the ability to be an expert in a pages worth of tools and technologies, 2) it is not representative of your most recent experience. Small example. Edit: grammar.

j_baker 15y ago

Good recruiters are worth their weight in gold. Seriously. Of course, the problem is always finding the good ones.