I submitted my CV to a recruiter 3 weeks ago for a sales job.

Anonymous

June 28,2022 at 7:09AM UTC

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I submitted my CV to a recruiter 3 weeks ago for a sales job. No reply. I called the recruiter today to chat. She’s not heard from the job’s HR, which apparently is normal behaviour from the company who's hiring. She mentioned the company HR’s first name. I then found the HR on LinkedIn. Should I just contact her directly?

For context, I work at a senior director level and have been with my current company for nearly 10 years. I've wanted out for a few years now and have never gotten to an interview stage through recruiters. I work in an art gallery with several locations worldwide, and through the earnest conversation I had with the recruiter today, she tells me it does take time to place people of my level since we are engaged in high-net global sales positions, as opposed to (for example) administration and executive assistant roles.

I want to be seriously considered for the role that I've been contacted about and I feel to really get things moving, I need to take matters into my own hands. I honestly don't know how well the recruiter is representing me, advocating for me, even though they've put me forth for the role. Should I reach out to the company HR directly? If yes, should I mention that the recruiter has already apparently contacted them with my profile?

Thank you for reading and for your advice.

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AnonymousJune 28,2022 at 9:53AM UTC
No reply in 3 weeks?
I'd give up on this particular organization.
You mentioned you never get to the interview stage. It might be time to revisit the resume and start from scratch
AnonymousJune 28,2022 at 2:19PM UTC
I think reaching out to the company's HR department directly will show them how interested you are in the role.
AnonymousJune 28,2022 at 3:04PM UTC
Thanks, I think so too. I'm just not sure if I should mention the recruiter in my message to company's HR. If they have an exclusive contract and my message gets forwarded to the recruiter, it could look like I'm trying to bypass. I just really want to get an interview with this great company and not cause any territorial disputes.
Megan RussellJuly 1,2022 at 3:29PM UTC
I honestly do not think it could hurt to reach out to the company directly, especially after 3 weeks. I would reiterate how you heard about the job initially (recruiter). You could phrase it something along the lines of "I was contacted by xx, but I also wanted to introduce myself personally to you". I think it shows initiative.
AnonymousJuly 2,2022 at 9:26AM UTC
I really appreciate your reply, thank you. I was thinking along those same lines, mentioning the recruiter, so then I've covered all bases.
Krystin MorganJuly 1,2022 at 6:41PM UTC
Is this an external recruiter, like at a staffing agency? If so, you won't likely be able to do much by reaching out to the company yourself. If the recruiter submitted you, the company can't hire you without paying the recruiting company their fee. It might not look great to appear to be going around the recruiter. So if you feel better reaching out on your own, you should definitely mention the recruiter who is representing you - otherwise it may look like you're trying to go around the system.
AnonymousJuly 2,2022 at 9:27AM UTC
Thank you for your reply, I appreciate it.