Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
(OP)
I got an email from a head hunter earlier today. He didn't give a lot of details, but it's a small world and I recognized the opening he's trying to fill. It's been listed on the company's website for a while and I've been thinking about applying for it.
This might be a naive quesion, but is there any advantage to working through a head hunter? Do they help in the negotiation process or do they just try to make a quick buck and move on?
Thanks,
John
This might be a naive quesion, but is there any advantage to working through a head hunter? Do they help in the negotiation process or do they just try to make a quick buck and move on?
Thanks,
John





RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
IMO, they are for the quick buck. They also have a thousand resumes for each position. They also don't know anything about the positions.
Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
A good recruiter will only present you for a job for which you're well matched, may coach you a little on things like what to not brag about, and may do a little selling on your behalf.
A bad recruiter will try to hammer you into any open hole, regardless of the actual fit.
There's no way to tell the difference until the process begins. Some big outfits are staffed entirely by 'bad recruiters'. Some big outfits have some local offices staffed by 'good recruiters', and some not so good. You have to feel your way around, and keep your own list.
Listings on company websites often lead you into third party "resume generators" that mostly manage to present you in the worst possible way, and probably to the worst possible decision maker, that overworked HR minion.
IMHO, even if you can identify the company, you're probably better off with a good recruiter.
Don't do both, i.e. talk to a recruiter _and_ apply directly for the same position. Recruiters talk to each other, and it may not make a good impression on the hiring manager either.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering
www.bluetechnik.com
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services
www.infotechpr.net
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
-Kirby
Kirby Wilkerson
Remember, first define the problem, then solve it.
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
Another time, I've had a job shop calling me at work yelling and threatening me because I had been inadvertently submitted by two shops for the same position. While they wouldn't have been much good at helping me out for awhile, I would have no qualms using them again if I was looking for contract work.
I first saw my current position advertised in one of those free weekly employment papers, and figured it must be a come-on (the company was much smaller at that time). When I saw it again advertised in the local newspaper six months later, I submitted my resume and was hired.
The main thing to get out of this is to keep an open mind and do your best to properly read the situation. If this position is local and for a small to mid-sized company, I would be strongly tempted to apply on my own. Depends on the company itself. If it is a large company, it may be best to use the head hunter, as he will probably be more familiar with their "culture".
"Good to know you got shoes to wear when you find the floor." - Robert Hunter
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
For one thing, the candidate's qualification in his resume had been stretched beyond what he was really capable of. I also found out during negotiations the salary requirements the recruiter had given me were much lower than the candidate was willing to accept, and the salary range he had given the candidate was much higher than I was willing to pay. The recruiter had references he said he checked, but the guys performance after I hired him didn't match what the references supposedly said.
I'm sure there are good recruiters and bad recruiters and everything in between. However, I have heard a lot more bad stories about recruiters than good stories.
Phil
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
(1) the recruiter;
(2) the company asking the recruiter to forward candidates;
(3) then, and only then, the candidate.
I have never had a positive experience with any recruiter or recruitment agency from any angle. To them, it's all about making the sale and getting the commission, and nothing whatsoever to do with ensuring the quality or suitability of the product being marketed.
Regards,
SNORGY.
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
1) My recruiter in particular was an excellent coach in preparing me for the interview at the company I now work. I know of another recruiter in the same firm who was absolutley terrible at this, your results will vary wildly.
2) His advice regarding salary discussion was to ask for thier "best competitive offer". I didn't know why right at the time but this became clear soon enough.
3) After passing the two rounds of interviews the recruiter worked with me on salary. By this I mean he asked me what my minimum was. This was at the depths of the stock market collapse in may 2009. I added up all my costs, tacked on $500 a month plus taxes and an extra $5000 for the year and told the recruiter that was the absolute lowest I go and still support myself and my Wife. When the offer came in it was exactly for my minumum for my salary (no surprise there).
4) Up till this point things were great, but heres where he made a mistake. The offer had a two day expiration for acceptance, since I was still working this gave me one evning to read through and mull over thier 48 page employment contract. The recruiter called up and put a huge amount of pressure on, to which I responded "I sign nothing without reading it first". This was apperently not enough because he claimed there was another candidate who was cheaper (not as much experience), and I would lose the spot if I didn't hurry. This was a bold faced lie. I confirmed this after about six months of working here.
Be warned, and always look out for yourself.
A question properly stated is a problem half solved.
Always remember, free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it!
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
No, they have an interest in negotiating a deal. A bit here or there is not an issue as much as getting a deal. To do that, they need the buy in of the company. They have a better shot a repeat business from them, not you.
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
By the latter I mean a cold call asking to you to apply for a particular job.
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
Went through the whole process with the headhunter, nailed the interview, and the headhunter told me they would get back to us. He and I had talked salary ranges, but nothing specific. A week later he brought me "their offer". It was fantastic, so I accepted. I only found out later that he had played hardball with them, using me as the stiff.
Well the co-owner on the finance side never let me live it down
"For what I'm paying you you can't get this done in XX hours",
"We lost a bid becuase we were too high, no wonder with your salary" and on and on.
He had other issue too, but 4 years of this was no fun.
IC
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
If you're going for a direct hire position, then TheTick is absolutely correct. They get their cut based on your starting salary, i.e. it's in their best interest to get you the most money possible.
V
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
drawn to design, designed to draw
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
I would suggest the head hunter found the job opening on the company website and is looking for people he can submit for the position.
I had a job interview once through a recruiter and the hiring manager mentioned that he was encouraged not to interview applicants submitted by recruiters because the company didn't want to pay recruiter fees (he made an exception for me based on my resume). He said many recruiters submit candidates unsolicited.
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
Thanks,
John
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
Good luck,
Latexman
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
Everything really depends on the recruiter. I think MikeHalloran's advice above is good. If you find a good recruiter (either the one that contacted you or one you seek out yourself) and let him know you're interested in that job it could better help you get in the door.
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services
www.infotechpr.net
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
Try it...what do you have to lose?
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
I had a similar thing in my existing job. I interviewed for a position through a recruiter, but I didn't like the job and told the recruiter that. I never heard from him again until...
A few months later I interviewed for a position in another department that two former colleagues (now current) set up for me. I got that job. Before starting the job I went to lunch with my future boss and I brought up the recruiter for some reason. My boss felt he needed to let HR know so they could keep a good relationship with this recruiter. The recruiter called me the next day to congratulate me and ask if he could help in any way (I had already worked out everything so he couldn't offer anything really). I understand why my company decided to pay him, but I was pissed because the recruiter dumped me for not liking a job he sent me to (he should've known it wasn't what I was looking for) and he still got his pay day.
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
Some headhunters look thru the help wanted ads and then contact the company when they have a match for the job - I have no respect for them.
But like previous posters have mentioned they do have their place, and I have gotten jobs thru them, but I am careful at who I give my resume' to.
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
One benefit for companies using headhunters, they can terminate your easily if it doesnt work out and they dont have to go through the trouble canceling your benefits.
This is what someone told me so I am not 100% sure. I hate a middle man. A headhunter is pretty much a middleman. They take out a chunk of your salary.
Never, but never question engineer's judgment
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
They operate in two disctinct ways and the names overlap.
1. Essentially a job shop - which is what you're talking about.
2. Recruiter - they 'help' the company fill direct positions.
My current job was a temp to perm position via a jobshop/recruiter. First few months I was employed by the job shop with any benefits etc. through them, essentially I was a contractor (though the meaning of this varies) after just over six months I went direct.
What I consider real head hunters specialize in higher pay/profile/nich positions rather than run of the mill job shopping.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
RE: Head Hunter vs. Direct Hire
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