Should I put all of my job search eggs into one recruiter's basket? Or fire him?

Posted in:Advice

My job search is entering it's 9th month so I am definitely frustrated and concerned. Almost 2 months ago, a recruiter reached out, we had a long introduction meeting, and he said he would get to work for me and that a lot of what he does is "in the shadows" connecting with employers or hiring managers who haven't posted specific jobs yet. So it's more like skills marketing as opposed to applying to specific listings.

Importantly, he asked me not to apply to any job postings or work with any other recruiters as it could damage my chances.

Since then I daily send him job postings that appeal to me. I've asked him several times for another meeting, but that has yet to happen. Our DM's on LinkedIn are hit and miss, but mostly a miss.

Do I fire the guy? I feel like I've lost 2 whole months of active job searching by following his instructions. And yet I also know that summer is tough, the hiring season starts in earnest in September, and that most applications through public job postings are a bit of a crap shoot. So I like "thinking" (I won't say knowing) that someone is out there working on my behalf.

What would you do?

Laurie1226·Aug 24

This recruiter is not working for you. He works for the hiring companies and if, by chance, they need someone with your background then he will reach out. That could be never.You absolutely should apply to jobs directly and work with other recruiters who may have access to many jobs he doesn’t. You should get out of the shadows and connect with hiring managers directly yourself. You are your own best advocate and recruiter. I owned my own recruiting firm for 25 years, and now do job search and career coaching, he and I understand where this guy is coming from. He doesn’t want you to work through other recruiters and he doesn’t want you to play directly because then he would not be able to present your profile to the company. This is a self-serving approach. A recruiter can definitely be your advocate and I would tell my clients if you have a job posting that you think you’re a good fit for send it to me and give me a couple days to see if the company is willing to work with the recruiter on this and if not, then you should apply directly, I had plenty of jobs that I was able to fill with candidates and sometimes I couldn’t represent certain people because another recruiter was or they had already applied on their own and that was OK. As long as you don’t apply after I’ve told you I’m representing you then all’s good. I never would want to get in the way of someone getting a job. Your instincts are talking to you loudly! Trust that voice. Get behind the steering wheel of your search. The recruiter, career coach, job boards are all supportive passengers but you’re in charge.

barbaracameron·Aug 24

Thank you @Laurie1226, this all makes sense to me now. I only worked with one recruiter in the past and it was a slam dunk on the first opportunity. So I’ve been in the dark about how to manage a relationship with recruiters over the long-term. Your insights are super helpful! 🙏

Dorie128·Aug 24

Red flag. He says not to work with other recruiters because that if they both submit you to a role, it would be hard for either of them to get credit and get paid. His only incentive working with you is that if you get hired, he gets commission. But there is no guarantee that he will find you a job. Like the other poster mentioned, you should also be doing your own job search. I don’t really like the sound of this guy and think casting a broader net with other recruiters would be wise.

barbaracameron·Aug 24

It certainly seems that the red flag is waving wildly at this point! I’m opening up as of now to a broader net. I appreciate you weighing in on this. 🙏

Anjelica217·Aug 24

You really don't need him. Just apply to the stuff you see already! I don't think you need to formalize any cut off with him - but don't put time or energy like he isn't with you - if he turns up with something great. Otherwise focusing on your CV is probably a higher priority given the time it's taking and if you're not getting interviews. And you can still job source for one's to apply for with a polished CV. Teal a job application tracking platform will help youAnd there's some new AI job application platforms out there too. Loopcv is one I've used with good results. And there's others. Definitely invest in an job application automation tool after some CV tweaking and checking you're beating ATS ❤️

barbaracameron·Aug 24

Thank you for weighing in @Anjelica217! I will check out a job application tracking platform (I've been tracking via Google sheets). So much great advice here, thanks to all!

Kris75·Aug 25

You can definitely just ghost him as he's doing to you. The only reason I'd cut ties with him formally is so, when you find *yourself* a job, he doesn't come around asking for a commission because he helped you "in the shadows". Nobody sane would do that, but this dude sounds shady AF.Also, almost every job offer I've had came through applying to public job postings with no internal contacts or anything. So it's not like it's more of a crapshoot than anything else.

barbaracameron·Aug 26

Hadn't thought of that angle, but you're right, he seems shady AF and I think I would also get a great deal of satisfaction by cutting ties formally. I'm annoyed (mostly at myself I guess) for trusting this guy and wasting 8 weeks of job searching!

Anjelica217·Aug 26

I'm curious how he would know she got a role. And how he could prove with evidence he helped as the hiring team would also know it's a false claim. No reason for bad blood id say.. and "silent" firing or quitting that's a growing trend.

krystinmorgan·Aug 25

I have a few thoughts here. First, recruiters don't work for candidates; they work for specific companies (or, in the case of someone like this who works for an agency or on their own, for specific clients who are hiring). Their job isn't to find jobs for individual people, even if they imply that's something they can help with. There is NO reason you shouldn't apply to job postings and I'm sort of aghast he would say that. He's just trying to maximize the chance he gets a commission, which is really not great. You are well within your rights to apply to any job you see fit *as long as it isn't one he has already submitted you for* and to work with any recruiter you want!

barbaracameron·Aug 26

Thank you for your insights! I am fired up today to re-start my job search without this guy holding me back.

lanettecream·Aug 26

Possibly this is a misunderstanding, because why would you work with him on jobs he isn't involved with? I would say no if someone asks for loyalty who gives me none. I would clarify the scope by saying Possibly this is a misunderstanding, because why would you work with him on jobs he isn't involved with? I would say no if someone asks for loyalty who gives me none. I would clarify the scope by saying, "For jobs you brought to me, I will work with you." But that applies to no other jobs. Only the ones you and this recruiter are working on.

madelineeggering·Sep 04

Hi Barbara,As someone who works with executive women in career search, one this I can tell you is NEVER to put all your eggs in one basket. You are limiting yourself from so many possibilities out there. As recruiters are great, you want to make sure you are working with recruiters that specialize in what you are looking for and working with more than one recruiter will give you more options as they don't all have access to the same roles. Also, more than recruiters, networking is going to be where majority of your role will come from. I would love to discuss further if you are interested. First check out www.bossmakeher.com and if it interests you at all, I would love to have a no commitment chat with you. Here is my calendar if you want to schedule. I hope to chat soon. https://calendly.com/madeline-bossmakeher/initial-consult-clone-1Madeline EggeringClient Enablement and Success Lead BossmakeHer

barbaracameron·Sep 05

thank you, and talk to you later today! :)