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Awful Recruiters

awfulrecruiters.com

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Re: Awful Recruiters

#31
post #29

I first started writing software on contract in the mid-90's. It was a good time, full of C++ jobs and my skills and my market seemed to be in harmony. I put my resume out there on the still-so-new-it-shined internet and immediately got over a dozen calls, the vast majority being from 3rd-party recruiters. I complained to my wife after the third call in a row and she explained to me that I should never be upset when…

If you're a consultant, you'll interface with recruiters a lot. I did. Of course your wife is ~right, it's a sound argument... BUT no job, however many opportunities are on your doorstep are any measure of security. eg - life preserver.

Re: Awful Recruiters

#32
A couple of friends and I got this idea a few years ago. We've accumulated over 340 companies their recruiters who are less than desirable. Inflated salaries lead the pack of the tactics used. Posting misleading information about the job description and benefits follow closely.

Wouldn't mind some VC-$ to launch.

From experience - most of the job boards are junk, including the ones on that site.

Re: Awful Recruiters

#33
post #12

There's a disclaimer to this effect, but just to reiterate: there are real companies on this list. Good and Lumos Labs are two that I recognize off the bat.

Turner.com is for Turner Broadcasting. I think some people have gotten some interesting jobs there, working on stuff like Adult Swim.

Re: Awful Recruiters

#34
ugh, yeah the jobspringpartners one I saw in there.. I actually met with them at their office once as I was in town from out of state for another interview so figured why not (I didn't know much about them and figured I should squeeze an extra interview in even if it was going to be a dud)... it was definitely a weird experience, they had me meet with this one girl first, then they send me out in the waiting room to have five different people each come out to meet with me individually and they each asked basically the same stupid questions... and these were really basic questions that were all answered on my resume. Its just odd that companies like this can stay in business. There was no succession of meeting with different levels of managers, etc, they were all just basic recruiters (salespeople), its as if they were either so inept at communicating that they couldn't share information among one another (or take the time to actually read my resume) or that they were so ultra competitive that they couldn't trust one employee to meet with me, they had to add go directly to the source.

Re: Awful Recruiters

#35
I'm going to take issue with one of the companies on his list, Riviera Partners. I worked with this company for several months last summer (Hey Matt!) and, in my dealings with them, they were utterly professional. I hate recruiters in general, but the guys at Riviera were the definite exception.

First, their list of clients were very top-notch. I did a number of phone screens and on-site interviews with companies I was introduced to via them. Never found exactly what I was looking for, but met lots of cool people and companies.

Matt was my main contact after I asked to only deal with one of their people. Was always professional and helpful. I've had good interactions with some of their other employees too.

Re: Awful Recruiters

#37
post #29

I first started writing software on contract in the mid-90's. It was a good time, full of C++ jobs and my skills and my market seemed to be in harmony. I put my resume out there on the still-so-new-it-shined internet and immediately got over a dozen calls, the vast majority being from 3rd-party recruiters. I complained to my wife after the third call in a row and she explained to me that I should never be upset when…

> ... when someone called because they wanted to get me a job

She overestimates the bad recruiters. Recruiters have been known to advertise non-existent positions so they can build up their folios. They have been known to alter resumes to make it look like the candidate is a fit when they aren't. They have been known to lie about candidates. They have been known to try to make the candidates do all the work. They have been known to take jobs posted by companies that do want recruiters involved and then repost them (it makes them look better having these jobs on their books).

My biggest grievance is them having put in zero effort to check if I am a match for the company or the company for me, despite the means to do so being readily available. ie they are wasting the time of everyone involved.

More personal context http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3661261

Re: Awful Recruiters

#38

We recruit directly. Our ads are clearly marked at top and bottom with 'We do not use, and never have used, a recruitment agency. Please do not contact us if you are a recruitment agent' Despite this, we receive multiple calls a day from agencies. Exasperating!

I've seen that as well. There are two things going on. One is that agencies will add the jobs to their books. It makes them look better - "hey look at all these cool jobs we are recruiting for".

The second is that they can claim to have introduced a candidate to you and can try to sue. Often a company will just roll over especially if it turns out to be a good candidate.

Remember that the good recruiters will be successful meeting the needs of their clients (employers & candidates). Bad ones won't so they will spread themselves far and wide until they get a bite.

Re: Awful Recruiters

#39
Don't know if the author is reading, but would be nice if the main domain list was sorted.

Have dealt with a few of those mentioned and agree, and was going to forward the site to our internal recruiter to make sure don't use them. :)

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