Page 84 - John Kador - 201 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview-McGraw-Hill (2002)

CHAPTER 6

QUESTIONS FOR

HEADHUNTERS,

RECRUITERS, AND

STAFFING AGENCIES

IMPORTANT INTERMEDIARIES

IN YOUR JOB SEARCH

Headhunters and recruiters can be your best friends during your job
search. They can present you to dozens of employers. They can coach
you on your résumé and interview skills. And frequently they can get the
kind of feedback that employers rarely entrust to individual candidates.
But remember that recruiters can’t hire you. They are intermediaries
who add value to their clients by screening and presenting qualified job
candidates. Occasionally their endorsement carries significant weight.
If they recommend you highly, it increases your chances of getting a job.
But recruiters can’t make you an offer. Only their clients (called “prin-
cipals”) can do that.

CONTINGENCY AND RETAINER AGENCIES

There are two types of recruiting agencies: contingency and retainer.
Some agencies do both. But in general, contingency agencies are paid

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