| With the cutbacks in Human Resources and the | | | | company to which they are submitting your resume. |
| fewer jobs to work with out there, contingency | | | | However, you may have already submitted your |
| recruiters are working even harder to fill those jobs. | | | | resume to the company, in which case the recruiter |
| You may be asking what is a contingency recruiter | | | | wouldn't get paid. As early in the process as you can, |
| and how do I work with them? | | | | find out the name of the company - it may not be |
| A contingency recruiter is a third party recruiter, | | | | until the recruiter submits your resume. This is their |
| often referred to as a headhunter. They are an | | | | way of covering their bases so that you don't back |
| outside recruiter, or third party, which has partnered | | | | door them. |
| to work with a Human Resources department to | | | | Don't back door them - This means that once you |
| help them fill their positions. They usually work with | | | | find out the name of the client, you submit your |
| multiple companies at one time and often times they | | | | resume via their website either before or at the |
| specialize in a particular industry. As with any industry, | | | | same time as the headhunter does. What happens in |
| there are honest headhunters and those that are | | | | this case, is if the client wants to play hard ball and |
| unethical or dishonest. | | | | cut out the recruiter, they can say that you have |
| Contingent recruiters will find you either from a | | | | submitted your resume independently of their service. |
| variety of places, such as the job boards, LinkedIn, a | | | | That means the recruiter doesn't get paid for their |
| referral or from an internet search if you have your | | | | hard work in finding you and pre-qualifying you. Be |
| resume posted on your personal website. When you | | | | fair to the recruiter and let them represent you once |
| agree to work with a recruiter, they will be | | | | you know the name of the company. After all, you |
| submitting your resume to their client company for a | | | | may not have known about the lead until the |
| position they've been asked to fill. From that point | | | | recruiter told you, so they deserve the credit. |
| forward, most of your communication will be through | | | | Be honest with them - once you determine that this |
| the headhunter, including interview arrangements and | | | | is a recruiter with whom you'd like to work, consider |
| salary negotiations. The client company will not be | | | | professional work ethics. Be honest with them every |
| given your contact information unless you give it to | | | | step of the way. They could be your best advocate, |
| them during the interview. The headhunter is paid by | | | | because they are motivated to get a placement. |
| the client company, usually a percentage of the first | | | | However, they may also have other candidates in |
| years salary. | | | | the loop, so don't assume they are loyal to just you. |
| Here are some things to consider when working with | | | | Tell them if you have been contacted by another |
| a headhunter: | | | | recruiter. Tell them if you have another offer. Tell |
| Know with whom you are dealing - Get as much | | | | them if you have a friend at the company who has |
| information from the recruiter as you can to find out | | | | already submitted your resume. Tell them the truth |
| if they are someone that you want to represent | | | | throughout the process to keep your karmic slate |
| you. Make sure they are a legitimate recruiter with a | | | | clean. |
| solid reputation. Ask around to people in your | | | | Don't put all your eggs in one basket - Last, once |
| network to see if anyone has had a good or bad | | | | you've been contacted by a headhunter, don't |
| experience working with the recruiter. Ask them for | | | | assume they are out there combing the job boards |
| references before you commit to allowing them to | | | | for you. You still need to proceed with your search |
| represent you. | | | | as you normally would. Tell the recruiter that you |
| Ask questions - What is the relationship with the | | | | want to be notified if they are going to submit your |
| client? Have they placed anyone with that client | | | | resume to a new company. Partner with the |
| before? Who is on their client list? How long have | | | | recruiter, but don't limit yourself. |
| they been a recruiter? What is the best way for you | | | | Working with a headhunter can be a great way to |
| to work together? Ask enough questions to feel you | | | | find a new position. If you follow these guidelines, |
| are comfortable working with this person. | | | | you should be able to nurture a positive working |
| Find out where they are submitting your resume - | | | | relationship with a headhunter and have a mutually |
| many recruiters will not tell you the name of the | | | | rewarding outcome. |