Why You Should Avoid Reverse Recruiters During Your Job Search

Anyone who has ever looked for a new job knows that the job search itself can feel like a full-time job. The hiring process takes a long time, you need to be organized and vigilant, go through several rounds of interviews , test projects, cover letters and thank you letters. This is why the idea of ​​letting someone do all the heavy lifting on your behalf is so appealing, leading to what is known as “ reverse recruiting .”

If you’re exhausted by the process of searching for a new job or don’t have the brainpower to spare, the idea of ​​outsourcing your next job search may seem tempting. But there are some serious downsides to this approach that you should consider before taking the plunge.

What is reverse recruiting?

The basic concept of reverse recruiting is pretty sound: you’re essentially paying someone to find you a job. Unlike traditional headhunters or staffing agencies, who are paid by the hiring company to find the right people for open positions, reverse recruiters find open positions for people and are paid by the job seeker, which is you. Companies such as Find My Profession , Ladders and My Personal Recruiter offer reverse recruiting services.

A reverse recruiter will typically do the following on your behalf:

• Find the right job based on your skills, experience, and career goals.

• Customize your resume for each position

• Fill out applications and send your resume

• Reply to role correspondence on your behalf

• Schedule interviews

In other words, once you tune in to the reverse recruiter, you can sit back and relax while they search for jobs, fill out applications, and ultimately invite you for interviews. Some charge a flat upfront fee for the service, others take a one-time percentage of your salary if you get a new job, which can pay for itself completely if they find you the perfect job.

Why Reverse Recruiting Probably Isn’t Worth It

Reverse recruiting can seem pretty tempting: you get to live your life, avoid stress, and continue to focus on the work that actually pays your bills while someone else schedules job interviews. What’s not to like? But there are some good reasons why reverse recruiting might not be a good idea for you.

• Money. First of all, there is the cost, which can range from $2,500 to $5,000 . This could be a flat fee, a percentage of your new salary, or a retainer system where you pay a monthly fee.

  The thing to consider here is motivation: if you pay your reverse recruiter a flat upfront fee, they won’t have much motivation to worry about results – they’ve already made their money. On the other hand, if the recruiter is working for a percentage of your new salary, this is good motivation to find you a position, and also motivation to chase the highest paying job, no matter how good it is for you. Of course, if salary is your number one goal when looking for a job, this might be right for you.

• No special sauce. Reverse recruiters often work from the same job listings that you can find on your own with a little Googling and spending time on job boards. While this may save you the time and effort of sifting through all job listings, it won’t necessarily identify unique opportunities.

• Reputational damage. Some recruiters essentially send out your resume to every open position, casting a wide net to increase your chances of interviews or offers. This indiscriminate strategy can lead to some unpleasant situations, such as applying for a job at your current company, an old employer you left due to poor conditions, or applying for a position for which you are not particularly suited.

This last point raises some questions about results and metrics that you should ask any recruiter you’re considering working with:

• Is there any money back guarantee? How long will they take to find a job for you, and if they don’t give you any interviews or offers within a certain period (say six months), will you get your money back?

• What happens if you get an interview for a job you don’t want? Or what if you receive an offer and decide to turn it down (especially if their fee is tied to your new salary)?

• What happens if you accept an offer but immediately realize it was a mistake and leave your new position after a month or two? What if you get fired or fail your probation? Do you still owe them that percentage of your salary? Do they keep looking for you or will you have to pay them a second time?

Of course, the opposite situation with recruiting can work to your advantage. If you simply don’t have time to search for a job, it can automate the most tedious aspects of your job search. But in general, recruiters collect the same job listings that you can access, publishing your resume and details (often indiscriminately) and offering few (if any) guarantees of success. It’s almost always better to just take the time to look for a job yourself.

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