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Ask HN: Is there anything you like about recruiters?

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Re: Ask HN: Is there anything you like about recruiters?

#51

Post by siliconc0w »

scarface74 wrote: post #49
siliconc0w wrote: post #42

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 yo…

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. The…

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.

Re: Ask HN: Is there anything you like about recruiters?

#52

Post by scarface74 »

siliconc0w wrote: post #51
scarface74 wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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. The…

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 y…

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.

Re: Ask HN: Is there anything you like about recruiters?

#53

Post by unavida »

There is nothing I like about recruiters after understanding that they are in the business of finding and selling people for their own profit or their company's profit.

I find them to be pushy, inconsiderate, unthoughtful, and lacking real, hard skills that are useful to society. I find it interesting to think that in colleges / universities there is not a career path to be a "professional recruiter" like there is for "doctors, lawyers, engineers". Most people do not go to college to be a "recruiter".

In fact, after many terrible experiences with them, it is my goal to develop software which can completely replace human recruiters and automate their jobs.

It must be a hard day at work to do the following:

Task: Find candidates for a list of positions Steps To Complete: #1) Search LinkedIn, Other professional databases, Google, and other sources #2) From #1, write a list of prospective candidates #3) Email or call prospective candidates to discuss the position and optionally set up an interview #4) Connect the prospective candidates with the client company.

Re: Ask HN: Is there anything you like about recruiters?

#54

Post by firebird84 »

ericb wrote: post #14

- You can ask hard salary questions beforehand without offending a recruiter. Nothing worse than going through a long process to find out the company expects to pay below-market. - You can set salary expectations with the recruiter directly without causing offense. - Companies that can afford to pay a recruiter have passed a filter to show they are motivated and have budgetary flexibility. - Often, companies that are…

> You can ask hard salary questions beforehand without offending a recruiter. Nothing worse than going through a long process to find out the company expects to pay below-market.

This right here is invaluable. When I talk to company recruiters (inside a company) I try to get an idea early on whether it's a waste of time due to below-market pay. I've had my share of people who were honest and open about it and those who give me the "we pay market rate" nonsense. I take that as dog whistling for below-market.

When talking to independent recruiters they're usually quite happy to give up this information, and/or find me positions more suitable. It tends to be more amicable.

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