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Like most people who have a few years of experience in IT and a few certifications, I get contacted by IT recruiters often, usually about once a day.

I’m not trying to denigrate these people or the job they do. God knows if I was unemployed I’d love to be talking to any of them that contacted me. But it seems like so many of these recruiters are hired on with no real experience in IT recruiting (some were waiting tables or working at an auto parts store three months ago) and have received no training from their employers about what to look for.

One contacted me this week who was three weeks into her recruiting job (according to her LinkedIn profile) and had previously worked at a credit union. She pitched me a Senior Network Engineer/Architect position in Colorado (I’m in Tennessee). She sent me the job description and in bold letters at the bottom it said “Cisco CCIE certification required” (I am CCNA, a long way from CCIE).

And though I’ve never landed a job that came to me via a recruiter, I have talked to some that are very well trained and good at what they do. There are some that I really respect. But for the majority, it seems like the recruiting company is simply putting a warm body in a chair, almost like telemarketing.

I’m curious about others experiences, good or bad, with IT recruiters.

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LOL!

I had a guy call me and we spoke for almost 15 min before he realized I did IT! Wanted to recruit me for an Insurance Job!

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lol Greg…I think I talked to the same guy.

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I get those type of calls\emails all the time. Wish they would get the clue that I live in Columbus, OH and not going to move {insert far off city\state here} on a whim. Or that Cleveland and Cincinnati are a bit too far away to commute to.

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A lot of them are useless. But honestly I think its the companies that set them up for failure. They don’t care who they place where, they just want placements.

You need to find a good recruiter to work with. Get to know some local ones. They are great for finding positions.

For example. In the Indy area I like to work with Melissa. She is fantastic.

@melissacoss2

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I set expectations with the ones who call me. I’m happy in my current position. That means that I’m not going to make a lateral move for the same pay. There are also some industries I won’t work in. I let the ones that cold call me know up front what type of work I am willing to consider, salary expectations, industries I won’t work in, and the fact that I don’t disclose current salary or history. I am willing to look at opportunities they bring me that fit my criteria.

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They can be annoying, especially the ones who are just grasping at straws. But there are a few who know better than to call you with a DBA job when your resume/CV screams Server Admin.

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I got a cold call from a recruiter when I was employed as a programmer. Long story short, he got me a new job at a substantial raise as a developer for a more prestigious organization.

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When i was unemployed, i had one from an “IT recruiting” company. They didn’t seem to know much, and i ended up landing 2-3 interviews before they had even submitted me to a helpdesk position.

Wasn’t worth the hassles of meeting, tailoring my resume, and sitting through questions and answering of what i wanted in a job. I found it myself >_>.

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Rivitir is spot on. If you can find a reputable local one, you can make out okay. The global, I call you from West India about a job in Chicago while you live in North Hollywood? They’re exhausting. Especially when they try to talk you up. “I read your resume and you seem like a great fit!” Oh yea? For what? “Java Scripter!” I sorta just look at my phone, dumb founded. “Umm… I don’t do Java. Hell, I barely do Python and thats for exploits. You sure you have the right person?” …and then they excuse themselves and hang up.

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IT Recruit are mostly bad. They don’t understand anything.

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Put me down for the nuisance vote.

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You can get a lot of information from them. I like asking about what my area is looking for or what Area is looking for my certifications. Just to get a feel for the other techs in the area, and how i stack up.

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I have never had a good experience with an IT recruiter. Maybe one day if I am the only candidate I will use one, but as long as i am in a massive pool of candidates i will never use one. Back in the early days before I knew any better a recruiter had me so convinced that the job was mine I stopped looking for other jobs while unemployed. 45 days later he tells me the company has moved in a different direction and I was no longer a candidate of interest. I have used one more since but that blew up in my face too. For me recruiters are a last resort option.

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I got my current job from a recruiter through Modis. Called me out of the blue after I had already accepted another job and was finishing out my 2 weeks at my current job. they knew i had already accepted an offer so (my current company) made me a better offer and in 4 days i was working! i love my job now. before that though, it felt like recruiters were a waste of time. I guess it depends on who you’ve got and their background.

Modis was hired by company to find someone for my position. maybe that makes a difference as opposed to a freelance recruiter trying to get a commission

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most of my experience is pretty good w/ Locally based recruiter, most of the ones that are contacting me from out of state are not looking to place me anywhere near my home. which irks me quite a bit.

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This just happened to a friend of mine recently. I think all things considered, if a firm has two similarly qualified candidates and one is sourced from a recruiter and the other is not, why would the firm hire the candidate from the recruiter and have to pay the recruiter an additional 30% of the candidate’s first year salary?

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Hrrm dont know about the previous comments, but i love them.

I can put a CV out and start getting calls. Sure, most of them are for databases… and i never really hear back… but to me they are a good safety net, even if they dont know anything or the jobs aren’t perfect for me.

If my CV is up and currently looking, I have lots of time for them. If it’s been down and off the market for a while, then I just appreciate the call and leave it at that.

Even if they aren’t perfect, id rather have too much job opportunity or hope than too little…

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one word

linkedin

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I am hoping to get help from some of them in about 7 months so, you won’t get me to say anything negative about them.

I need them!

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