Recruiters - Do we need them?

[bongi]

My experience with job agents is terrible. They don't return phone calls; they are not competent, sometimes rude.... I really don't understand why the employers rely on their "professionalism". I am sure that the HR section in every company will do better job than every recruiter. They are like parasites.

[Tsveta]

Bongi, I can understand your frustration. It’s true that they don’t return phone calls and in some particular situations they are not competent enough, for example - IT positions, but this is how the system works and you have to adapt. Sadly, very rarely you will find position posted directly from the employer… Some recruiters are not so bad, you will find somebody, believe me. But before that you’ll have your bad experience.

I wish you good luck

[futurepop]

It’s not only you, Bongi. I know so many people who are complaining from the attitude and level of competence from the job agents… It’s sad!

[trappercase]

I find this sad too. But I guess they see you as a product. Their real customers are the companies looking for employees. An little common courtesy would be nice though. I would give them a certain amount of time to return your call and then I would call back. "Squeaky wheel gets the grease."

[lookingforjob]

Don’t get discouraged by the fact that most recruiters do not return your calls. The ones that call you back are worth working with. If you have extensive experience in your line of work and if you publish your resume on workopolis and monster, the recruiters will find you.

Lurking in job forums like this one, will help you too.

[trappercase]

Has anyone ever been contacted from putting their resume online? I always wondered if that works. I never knew anyone that actually did it.

[Toni]

Has anyone ever been contacted from putting their resume online? I always wondered if that works. I never knew anyone that actually did it.


Yes, I got my first job like that. The recruiter found my resume online and called me. I met with him and then he got me an interview. I have friends who found their jobs like that too, so it is working. Don’t get discouraged if they don’t call you. It won't hurt to send resumes and call them every day.

[lookingforjob]

Has anyone ever been contacted from putting their resume online? I always wondered if that works. I never knew anyone that actually did it.

Yes. That's how I find most of my IT contracts. The thing is that you need some Canadian experience and 1 or more reputable companies you have worked for in your resume, before recruiters start contacting you.

[Julie]

These days they are the middle man between us the the employers.
I dont mind them as they do actually try and help you and give you tips about the interview and what to expect - this is something you dont get if you go direct to the employer.

They help the employer by "weeding out" the good prospects so that it doesnt waste the employers time.