Only Bad Recruiters Say These Things

Working with a recruiter may be unavoidable if you want to interview with employers who exclusively use placement agencies. Unfortunately, bad recruiters outnumber great ones, and many lack the industry know-how and connections to land you a good job offer. Instead of putting faith in any headhunter who contacts you, beware of bad recruiters who don't have your best interests in mind.

1. Let's Discuss Your Background Before I Disclose the Job

Imagine being contacted by a stranger who demands information about your background but refuses to reveal anything about the position. Bad recruiters assume they're doing you a favor and expect candidates to jump at any vague opportunity. You have no reason to answer questions or send a resume for a job that may not even exist. Even worse, putting up with rude vetting makes you appear desperate and easy to intimidate.

2. My Client Needs to Know Your Current Salary

Many bad recruiters try to place candidates by offering the best bargain. They still make a chunk of cash, and the employer gets you at a competitive price. Good recruiters compare your skills and experience to industry standards because they realize your past salary isn't relevant to future positions. Make it clear you're targeting jobs in a specific salary range, and walk away if a headhunter pressures you to disclose a salary history.

3. There Are Plenty of Other Qualified Candidates Around

Rather than wooing strong candidates, bad recruiters try downplaying their value to gain the upper hand. Smart headhunters are selective about who they contact, and they don't waste time prepping people who have no chance of impressing the employer. A recruiter who repeatedly undervalues your skills isn't likely to get you the best offer, so you're better off cutting out the middleman and connecting with people who can provide referrals.

4. I'm Really Going to Bat for You

Just like a sleazy salesperson, bad recruiters play the martyr game. They want you to believe they're going above and beyond to make your life easier, so you should feel grateful. In reality, headhunters work for themselves and the employer, not you. Finding good hires for a client is how placement agencies make money. You're helping the recruiter when you sacrifice time and effort to interview with a client, especially if you're highly qualified and currently employed.

5. Assume the Client Isn't Interested If You Don't Hear From Me

Headhunters who want to develop an ongoing relationship with you should be willing to keep you updated, whether you get the job or not. A highly marketable candidate may be wrong for one position and perfect for another. Yet, many bad recruiters have a shortsighted, self-serving approach to headhunting. They cut off communication without explanation, expecting you to keep following up or waiting for any scraps they throw at you.

The recruitment industry has few barriers to entry, so bad recruiters aren't going away anytime soon. When you're a job seeker, it's important to have the strong self-esteem and clear goals to keep your job search on track. When you value the skills you can offer an employer, you get better at judging when a relationship with a recruiter is a waste of time.

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