Was recently contacted by a recruiter via Linked-in.

Anonymous

February 2,2023 at 5:49PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

Was recently contacted by a recruiter via Linked-in.

He reached out regarding a high-paying position that fit my profile. I met with him a few days later to discuss this opportunity. He mentioned that he had signed an NDA with his client so he could only tell me limited information about the position and very little about the company. He mentioned what the next steps would look like and that it would take a couple of weeks. Yesterday, I got a call from a VP of the recruiter's company. Explaining to me that the individual I had met with is no longer with the company and that he was trying to get an understanding of where the former recruiter had left things with the client and prospective candidates. He claims he didn't want to leave things hanging for anyone while he straightens this out. I thought this was thoughtful given the fact that so often candidates are ghosted these days.

And then... he starts asking me about my company's needs. He proceeded to name-drop on some of the larger clients he has worked with and successfully placed candidates and urged me to set up a time next week to discuss my company's current needs.

I was particularly off-put by this and as soon as I hung up the phone, I was asking myself if this was their MO to get their feet in the door at some institutions.

I am thinking about calling them back and telling them to remove me from their contact list and withdrawing my candidacy for the position - if there even is one.

It all seemed fishy to me...

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

13 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.

13 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousFebruary 2,2023 at 8:04PM UTC
Very sketch
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 3,2023 at 5:45AM UTC
So you have a couple of different issues here. You don't say what you do or what level you're at but you did say you were reached out to for a "high-paying position that fit my profile". I'm going to assume you're in a senior leadership position then.
It is not that unusual for searches for positions at that level to be carried out in a confidential manner. Either the company wants to keep it secret from competitors, the press, shareholders, employees or the news could have an effect on the price of the stock, could be being backfilled because of a scandal, etc - there's lots of reasons. So that part doesn't necessarily raise any red flags.
The other issue, however, leaves a bad taste in my mouth. First I would look up the first recruiter on LinkedIn and see if he's still with the company (a change or no change doesn't necessarily indicate anything but I'd be curious). Second, I wouldn't bother calling them to tell them to remove you from their contact list - you never know what someone who runs their business in such a shady manner could do. I would just ghost them and not deal with them again.
AnonymousFebruary 3,2023 at 1:51PM UTC
Thanks! I appreciate the perspective.
Your assumption is spot-on, I am in a leadership position in IT.
During and after the first call, I did not question the validity of the job. He has a plausible explanation. It was only after the second call, from the VP, that I started wondering.
I did look up the first recruiter and his profile does still state he is with the firm. But as you mentioned, that doesn't mean much. (shrug)
AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 2:30PM UTC
It sounds like an MLM--someone from one of those Primerica or other multilevel marketing where they want you to sell financial products but actually recruit more people to line their pockets. Otherwise, I think the explanation above from Candace sounds spot-on.
Amy Dalton-SheavesFebruary 6,2023 at 1:22PM UTC
Your intuition is spot on. Assuming they are not unethical and the intent is to both recruit you and seek a new client because your company will need to backfill your position... it's a really poor business approach! I agree that you should remove yourself from their call list and move on.
AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 1:22PM UTC
If you don't like it just remove yourself from a call list. I don't believe he did anything wrong. Recruiters jobs are to find job openings and candidates. I routinely call on references and use that opportunity to find out if I can help with job openings.
Candace VelezFebruary 6,2023 at 1:57PM UTC
Hi there! I'm a recruiter and my experience is agency, in-house, RPO, and corporate. That was a bait and switch. In Agency particularly they are quick to fire people who don't hit a weekly call or submission metrics but if the person runs a full desk that requires business development, then it's not uncommon for them to bait on your employers hiring needs. I know this cause I've done this. Not in the matter this person has gone about by misleading you but it's not uncommon to reach out to random individuals to ask about hiring needs. I hated doing it tbh. It sounds like they were just trying to Segway into finding a contact to build a book of business. Also, the whole NDA we can't share info blah blah blah sometimes they say that because if you know the company 1) you'll just apply directly if it's for a FTE position 2) you'll make more money that way if you go directly to the source 3) they can commission upwards of 30% of your negotiated base × bonuses, do they will so anything to keep you from skirting around them. Hope this helps anyone reading this.
AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 2:02PM UTC
If their primary reason for contacting you is to fulfill their contract by placing you in the new role, I would tell the VP (assuming this is true) that your role in your current position is such that you don’t have any insight into the company’s hiring needs, but you’re still interested in pursuing the position that their recruiter contacted you about. If they are a reputable company, the VP should respect your wishes and drop his solicitation. Also, I’d ask the VP if YOU could sign an NDA that would allow them to share additional info about the role. When I was contacted by a recruiter many moons ago about a confidential search (for the executive level position I currently hold) she allowed me to do just that. It allowed me to determine if I were actually interested in working for the company they were recruiting for and, ultimately, ensured that neither of us were wasting our time in pursuit of the open position.
AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 2:33PM UTC
I have had recruiters ask for references - manager level before they have submitted me for a role. I decline. If they don't want to submit me based on that...Ok
AnonymousFebruary 6,2023 at 3:09PM UTC
I so agree with that - I do the same.
Diane McDevittFebruary 6,2023 at 3:29PM UTC
yeah, sounds way fishy.
AnonymousFebruary 9,2023 at 5:45PM UTC
Contingency search firms generally work in 2 directions. Using you as bait for open roles where they can make a commission for the 3rd party company hiring you. Also unearthing open roles they can help fill in other companies. Not knowing what role you hold and what level I assume you hold a position where you can internally influence your current employers hiring practices. Usually they will probe those folks. Now, what to do...2 options I would suggest. One- go to the top of their leadership chain and express concern that your confidential job search will be outed by their behavior and that you find it unacceptable and then write them a cease and desist note addressed to them post conversation telling them to NOT share your profile or contact information with anyone else. Ask them to redact any and all communications you have had as you only had interest per the first reach out in that one company. Then walk away. Alternatively, push for a continued conversation with the company they presented to you and if you get nowhere, go around them directly to that company - usually going to google and sharing some info from the job description will find the company out- and apply directly. If you are truly right for the company you can go direct.
Maria Paula CalvoFebruary 10,2023 at 3:52PM UTC
It sounds like a fraud to me... It is a practice that is growing fast on Linkedin. I myself have experimented it more than once. Be cautious!