The Recruiter And The Hiring Company

The key to understanding how to work with a professional recruiter is to understand the relationship between the recruiter and the hiring company. This relationship is important because it dictates most of the recruiter's activities and drives their focus based on who is paying the recruiter's fee.

Whom does the recruiter work for?

Always remember that a professional recruiter works for the hiring company, not for you. This fact can easily slip into the background when you are deeply involved with prepping for an interview or otherwise interacting with the recruiter. In the end, the recruiter's primary goal is to satisfy the hiring company by finding the best candidate(s) possible to fill open jobs.

There are two primary ways that a professional recruiter is paid for his or her services: on a contingency basis or on a retained basis.

Contingency - This type of payment structure means that the recruiter only is paid if a suitable candidate is found and is actually hired. It is a very common payment arrangement for mid to lower level positions, multiple vacancies of similar positions, and in marketplaces where there is a ready supply of qualified candidates.

Retained - This type of payment structure means that the recruiter is paid a retainer fee in advance for their search services. In most cases, they will keep the retainer fee even if no suitable candidate is found or hired. It is a very common payment arrangement for high- level executive positions, positions that are hard to fill or required very specialized candidates, or when the hiring company has a specific executive in mind and needs the recruiter to make contact because that executive is still employed at another organization.

What is the recruiter supposed to do?

The hiring company will specify how much or how little they want the recruiter to do. The recruiter may only be asked to supply a list of suitable and interested candidates for the hiring company to screen and interview, or the recruiter may take on more of the screening and interviewing responsibilities. It just depends on how "hands on" the hiring company wants to be and how involved they want to be in the hiring process.

In some specialized cases, the recruiter will be charged with pursuing a specific candidate on behalf of the hiring company. In these situations, the recruiter will generally be responsible for making contact with that candidate and convincing him or her to meet with the hiring company. It is also quite common for the recruiter to play an intermediary role of some sort during the discussion process.

What is in your best interest?

Keep in mind that you need to look out for your own best interest during any discussions with a professional recruiter and their client, the hiring company. This does not mean the recruiter is out to "get you" or otherwise take advantage of you, but it does mean that the recruiter's primary job is to satisfy the hiring company's needs.

It is always in your best interest, though, to develop and maintain a good rapport with the professional recruiter. Even if you are not ultimately selected for the position that is currently open, the recruiter will remember you favorably and is likely to approach you in the future when another suitable position comes along.

Click here to go to the next recruiter article - A Professional Recruiter - Pivotal To Your Success?