Is a recruiter applying without my knowledge?
Today, I got a rejection from a job that I 100% did not apply to. Normally, I would think I may have just forgotten, but this job was in my 'old' line of work (editorial) and I now work in tech. When I looked up the job posting, I saw that a third party recruiter had actually reached out for the role and I ignored them.
Did they just submit my resume from LinkedIn or something without my knowledge? Does that happen? Or am I just paranoid?
Browse recent posts
Rockin’ LinkedIn: How to Fully Maximize Your LinkedIn Connections
Rockin’ LinkedIn: How to Fully Maximize Your LinkedIn Connections
? Thursday, May 22nd | ⏰ 6:00 PM EST
Your connections are more than a number—they’re your career ecosystem. In this session, we’ll uncover:…
0 Likes • 0 Comments
Looking for advice about workplace safety:
I currently work in a dangerous industrial job. I really like the work, however, if I do not know how to do something safely, of course, I ask.
However, sometimes, when I ask a question, some bosses (but not all) take it…
1 Like • 1 Comment
I've been hired to work full time remotely as a Junior Graphic Designer for a well established pharmaceutical company.
BUT, I am more apprehensive than excited because the communication has sole been via chat and email, they're going to send me a check to pay for my own mini-office with a list of vendors I must purchase the their required items from.…
4 Likes • 18 Comments
Turning 30
i will be turning 30 in February 2026.
I did not realize I'm not set for life up until recently.
I am a South East Asian chartered accountant living at home and single.…
1 Like • 4 Comments
Starting before background check clears
Is it normal to start employment before the background check clears? Mine is taking a while but the new company is pushing me to start before the background check clears. I'm not expecting any red flags to come up but I also don't feel comfortable starting without the contingencies…
1 Like • 8 Comments
Should I move on after a week of not hearing from the recruiter ?
I recently got a verbal offer for a Senior Role and decided to counteroffer for 10k more. The recruiter said they would check with the hiring manager but I have not heard back from them for a week now. Is it too early to consider the offer has been withdrawn?…
4 Likes • 4 Comments
Share your insight
Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.
Krystin Morgan
That is so strange—it's NOT normal for a third-party recruiter to just apply to jobs on your behalf. It does seem possible that's what happened here, but it's very bizarre.
Anonymous
When you provide your resume to any 3rd party recruiter and do not cap whom they can send your resume to, this may happen. The good firms would never do this but if they are hunting for assignments they might use you as bait. This is clearly what happened. Send a cease and desist letter to the firm and specifically the CEO of that firm and call out the recruiter who did this. This is shady business and without your permission they used you for their own purposes. As an aside should in the future you use any 3rd party agencies know that they work on commission often don't have job orders and do this. If someone reaches out to you about a role and you know that agency has your data be sure to put in writing that they are not to submit you or that they have your permission to only submit you for that one role. I would also reach out to the company that rejected you and reach out through linkedin to the Head of Talent or HR and let them know that this agency did this. It will limit the agencies ability to further engage and you should also ask that company to purge your data (unless you don't want them to) but let them know this was done without your permission or knowledge. No, you are not paranoid. Ignoring the 3rd party companies is not the way to deal with this, sending them a firm no interest is.