Working With Recruiters

Many people ask for advice on how to work with recruiters and get the most from them. We thought we would share some of our ideas on the topic. The easiest place to start is to clarify the different types of searches.

Contingency assignments, simply stated, mean that a recruiting firm is only paid when they place an individual with the client company. Contingency placement has several other common characteristics:

The recruiter can refer a candidate to more than one assignment concurrently.

It is usually at the Product Manager/District Manager and lower levels within the organization.

There is usually no requirement to meet candidates prior to referring their background.

There is often more than one supplier (recruiting firm) servicing each client; although "exclusive" relationships also occur.

Retained assignments are those where the search firm is partially paid up front to undertake the search. Other characteristics of a retained search include:

The search firm is obligated to represent any given candidate to only one firm at a time.

Usually at the Group Product Manager/Region Manager or higher level.

There is an obligation on the search firm to meet and evaluate each candidate in person.

The search firm prepares search "write-ups," furnished to the client in lieu of resumes.

There is only one supplier for each assignment.

Because we specialize in marketing and marketing research and make placements at all levels, we do both contingency and retained searches.

Please help us help you better. Share with us your long-term goals, and your preferences for career moves. Geography you're interested in. Types of companies or industries. That's how we know to bring these opportunities to your attention when we have them.

Use us as a sounding board. We'll always be glad to talk about the career implications of any move you consider, even internal moves at your current company.

If your circumstances change, causing you to decide the time is appropriate to consider options, grab the phone and call. We'll be very pleased to tell you what we're working on that may be appropriate for you. Please don't feel you need to wait to be called by us. You serve yourself much better by being pro-active and maintaining control over your search, than by letting the vicissitudes of random chance limit the options you explore.

Also bear in mind the interviewing process usually takes longer than the short period of time offers are valid for. If you are tempted to look at an intriguing option you hear about, call us at that time to consider the opportunities we can provide, so you can develop those options simultaneously. It is often too late to develop an alternative offer when you are already holding an offer with an expiration date. You don't want to find yourself settling for one offer when you could select the best from a range of offers.

At O'Connell Group, LLC we each share financially in every placement the firm makes. So it makes sense for us to present all of our assignments to you, and to help you make the right choice for your career. And, because we all work as a team, no one is pressured to make a placement to pay the bills. So we can truly focus on your interests.

At most other recruiting firms, individuals are compensated only when they effect a placement. And, very similar to a real estate agent, the individual is more highly compensated when they place someone at a client company they are managing, than if they split their commission with a co-worker by placing you at that recruiter's client company. Be aware this can sometimes affect how someone may advise you.

We at O'Connell Group, LLC maintain the highest ethical standards. We believe you should protect yourself in your dealings with all recruiters. Simply stated, your credentials are yours, no one else's. Before you reveal it to them, even verbally over the phone, insist that no one divulge your background without your permission.

No one at O'Connell Group, LLC will ever send your resume to a client without your prior agreement.

Authorize only one recruiter to send your background to a company you are interested in. Sending your background via more than one recruiter actually decreases the chances of being invited in. Unauthorized referrals also jeopardize your candidacy. Clients don't like to sort out the disagreements as to who gets paid, and often solve it by refusing to even interview you for the job. Also, it sends a signal to the client: if this person cannot control their own resume, how can I expect them to control my multimillion dollar business?

Unethical recruiters will occasionally attempt to "register" you as "their" referral by sending or describing your background to a company. They do this because they mistakenly believe if they are first to present you to a company, with or without your knowledge or permission, and you join that company, they will get paid. They are trying to serve themselves, but disserving you.

If you learn someone has sent your background somewhere without your permission, insist that they withdraw their unauthorized submission. If necessary, pick up the phone and call the company directly. Tell them the recruiter concerned sent your background without your permission, and you do not want them representing you. Client companies respect you for being direct and decisive.

We look forward to the opportunity of serving you throughout your career, and to being able to assist you in making those moves which are in your best interest, and on the timetable most appropriate for you.