Why are recruiters so secretive with job details?
I have been contacted by various recruiters and almost all of them gatekeep clarifying details about the job's product, or even details about what the actual tasks might be. Is it because they're required to book a certain # of hours or 1:1 calls with candidates? Or is it because they don't want you to figure out the company and apply directly on their website (if the job is up)?
It feels like many are purposefully cryptic in order to get you to call them vs clarifying my questions about daily duties via email. Some even won't tell you the salary range in states it's legally required to disclose.
Am I unfairly misunderstanding their process or are many trying to create their own relevance by gatekeeping info that would allow us both not to waste each others time?
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Anonymous
They may not have a contract with the employer, and are hoping to sweet-talk the employer into hiring "them" to recruit for the company.
They snag and grab the actual job posting online, then repost with not quite ALL the details.
They farm out and take resumes from job-seekers, and often have job-seekers sign a RTR right to represent, when they (recruiters) don't have the contract yet.....
They present "here are our sample/ top candidates - names and emails removed" to the client, and hope to land the role.
As a hiring manager, I used to receive these ALL DAY LONG from slimy recruiters hoping to score our business and fill open jobs, by presenting candidates who likely did not authorize RTR for the client company or job.
Guard your information wisely, and only sign/ authorize RTR or send your resume to authentic, verified, known recruiters who you approve ONE JOB AT A TIME to represent you.
Anonymous
Let's not call external contingency recruiters who work on commission like any other sales person slimy. If you get pitched by one and this is how they make their living then just say no. Everyone gets hit up by marketers, sales people, and recruiters. When you do need one just like what you do Ms Hiring Manager please be kind and if you don't need their help or services professionally tell them to take you off their solicitations list. I run an internal talent team for one of the biggest companies out there and they solicit us too but I am firm as are my very professional recruiters when we don't need their help. Let's respect the profession, the job is hard enough without your name calling.
Anonymous
I think the issue is, most people don't know the difference between external recruiters who might be stealing job posts in order to wedge themselves in as a potential middle man, and recruiters that are legitimately employed by the company they're finding good candidates for.
It wastes candidates time and takes an emotional toll especially during a tough job market when these third party recruiters take up candidates time that could be spent applying directly (and avoid the position being filled faster than non contracted recruiters would be aware of).
Anonymous
Correct but I still stand behind not using name calling here. It's simply not appropriate. We need to educate folks on the vast types of recruiters out there. In-house, contingency, container, retained, executive. Some or all are also on commission like sales people. Some work both sides of the relationship selling the client and finding the candidate and others work only on one. That is how they get paid or they could work for nothing if they don't fill a work order/lead. I tell anyone who is looking for work and is approached by someone who calls themselves a recruiter or talent person to ask how they get paid. If they work on commission then you are bait on the end of their hook. And generally they spend their day fishing for the right fish. If they do bring a role to you that you have not personally identified yourself they might just help you get that job if they have a strong or exclusive listing with that company. Ask the questions people, find out what kind of recruiter you are dealing with and be respectful in all interactions. They are only doing their job which is to help you find employment or to fill a role for a client.
Anonymous
This doesn't seem legal! Stealing job posts from the company and inserting themselves as a middle man takes talented applicants time and energy away from potentially getting a job that they could have applied for directly. I've seen it happen so many times that after applying and talking on the phone, the recruiter is like "Oops sorry the company just closed the role!" after promising a follow up interview.
Maybe they don't even have a contract with said company... I'd encourage everyone to try and find out if the job is posted through the actual company first.
Anonymous
You should check out the conversation (recently) about hiring processes being a joke! Your comment is so (sadly!!) accurate!!!
Stephanie Branch Lekowski
I think it's to keep potential candidates for trying to make an end run around them to speed up the process.