Recruiters - Do we need them?
 

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.

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

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!

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."

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.