Approached by Rec Agency on Linkedin for job that is openly advertised

quad_red

Hi Folks,

A quick piece of advice - I've been approached by a recruitment company re a job. Job is good and I have relevant experience. But when I did a bit of digging the job itself is advertised on the company's website.

Now - I don't want to offend the recruiter here and cut my nose off to spite my face. But how should I approach this? How do I know they have been formally tasked to get applicants for this job?

Quad

CatFromHue

It happens alot actually.

It's not uncommon to look on job websites and see an add from a company and then another 1, sometimes more, from agencies advertising the exact same position (it's a copy and paste job).

Some companies job adverts state explicitly that they don't need help from recruitment agencies and that any submission from them will not be entertained, or something along those lines anyway.

You could just ask the agency straight out do they have authorization from their client company to advertise. They work in a tough environment so won't hang up on you or anything.

There are some benefits to going through an agency as you'll get a bit more info on what the salary is. Sometimes when dealing directly with companies they won't negotiate or let you know what salary they have in mind. They can help you prep for the role too if there are any specific tests or anything.

The downside is that they could just spoof you but if you've good experience you'll know if you're a good fit for the job yourself no matter what the agency say.

cob1

has the agency told you the name of the company? does the agency have you CV? did you give them permission to submit your CV to this company?

if the agency has submitted your CV (they should have your permission specifically for this company) then you should go through the agency. when they submit your CV they will say to the company that they have the exclusive right to put you forward for this role.

if you then submit your CV to the company they will probably throw both copies in the bin as they don't want the hassle of an argument and legal case with the agency. if they really like your CV they will might continue hiring but through the agency.

thread carefully or you'll find yourself in the middle of a fight or losing a job that could have been yours

Mr. Loverman

We need more information. Has the recruiter already applied on your behalf?

my3cents

This is typical of the way recruiters work. They won't have had any contact with the company but once they have a decent CV in from someone they can then approach the company and tell then that they have suitable candidates. Even if the company say no thanks they still might have got a few decent CV's in.

quad_red

To answer your questions:

No, it's a cold approach from the recruiter. He doesn't have my CV so he can't have given it to the company offering the job.

The company has the job on their website - his info is identical but he does have a salary which the company add didn't.

So I suppose I could just apply to the company directly as well.

Frank Lee Midere

quad_red wrote: »

To answer your questions:

No, it's a cold approach from the recruiter. He doesn't have my CV so he can't have given it to the company offering the job.

The company has the job on their website - his info is identical but he does have a salary which the company add didn't.

So I suppose I could just apply to the company directly as well.

Why? No skin off your nose try the recruitor first.

cob1

what do you mean you could apply to the company "as well"? you mean you've applied via the recruiter? then you can't apply again unless you want both applications thrown away

if not

did the recruiter tell you the name of the company? they normally only do this only as the last step before submitting your CV. if he doesn't have your CV and has told you the company it doesn't seem smart on his part, but he could argue you owe him something for bringing the role for you. that's a morale question for you to decide.

are they a reputable well-known agency or just a one man band with a website and a mobile phone acting like one? it is skin off your your nose if the agent is a chancer who doesn't have a business relationship with the company and is submitting CVs for roles advertised freely on the web. they'll also come with letters saying he represents you exclusively for this role. if the company doesn't want to deal with 25% commission and conditions from him they'll just throw every CV he submits in the bin and ignore those candidates.

Mr. Loverman

I would apply direct.

Some companies don't want to pay the recruiter fee.

Good luck.

my3cents

There is no such thing as a reputable agency! Another tactic is to check with candidates and ask if they have already placed a CV with the company so the agents don't look stupid sending in CV's that have already been looked at.

Eoin

I'd go through the agency, provided they confirm that they're authorised by the company to recruit for this role.

They should be able to help you read between the lines of the job spec; give you a feel for what exactly the hiring manager might be looking for. They'll also be able to frame your application in a positive manner. Don't apply through both channels, whatever you decide.

my3cents wrote:

This is typical of the way recruiters work. They won't have had any contact with the company but once they have a decent CV in from someone they can then approach the company and tell then that they have suitable candidates.

It's also entirely possible that they have been contracted by the company, who have also listed the job themselves on their own website. It's very unlikely that the company's own website will get anywhere near as much traffic from candidates as a job site, and without forking out for something like a LinkedIn headhunter account, you're not going to get access to passive candidates like an agency usually can.

my3cents wrote: »

There is no such thing as a reputable agency!

That's a bit of a silly, sweeping comment. They're sales people - and that type of person will typically spend as little time as possible on someone who won't make them money. That doesn't mean they're not reputable and that they won't do a good job for their customer.

my3cents

Eoin wrote: »

I'd go through the agency, provided they confirm that they're authorised by the company to recruit for this role.

They should be able to help you read between the lines of the job spec; give you a feel for what exactly the hiring manager might be looking for. They'll also be able to frame your application in a positive manner. Don't apply through both channels, whatever you decide.



It's also entirely possible that they have been contracted by the company, who have also listed the job themselves on their own website. It's very unlikely that the company's own website will get anywhere near as much traffic from candidates as a job site, and without forking out for something like a LinkedIn headhunter account, you're not going to get access to passive candidates like an agency usually can.



That's a bit of a silly, sweeping comment. They're sales people - and that type of person will typically spend as little time as possible on someone who won't make them money. That doesn't mean they're not reputable and that they won't do a good job for their customer.

We don't even know for sure that they have a customer yet.

Even if they have never contacted the company in question any agency will tell you that they are authorised by the company.

If they have lots of candidates (traffic from their own website) then why are they cold calling the OP?

The companies own website will generate loads of traffic it will have the agencies checking it on a very regular bases to see if they can get any business from them.

I've worked with these guys and the good ones do have work with companies who come to them first because of past performance but that's only a small part of the work and leaves a lot of time to be creative finding new clients.

Eoin

my3cents wrote: »

The companies own website will generate loads of traffic it will have the agencies checking it on a very regular bases to see if they can get any business from them.

I think you missed my point. I was saying that a company listing a vacancy on their own site is not a strong indication that they've not also contracted an agency to do so as well. It's free for them to list a job on their own company website, but they're only likely to get applications from active job seekers who happen across it. An agency will get the passive candidates.

my3cents wrote: »

If they have lots of candidates (traffic from their own website) then why are they cold calling the OP?

Recruiters cold call candidates all the time - not everyone is an active job seeker, but good candidates might be open to a move if something interesting comes their way. I don't know how you could infer anything from this.

AnnyHallsal

A lot of companies (especially bigger ones) advertise themselves and also allow or invite agencies to submit. Agencies sometimes stretch the definition of client also.

There is no right answer. A recruiter who really sells you is an asset before an interview. If you apply direct there's always a risk you'll get lost in the slush pile. If you don't know anything at all about the agencies' reputation or relationship with the company, I'd apply direct.

Diziet

I applied for a job after an approach by a recruiter. It was a specialist role, the recruiter was incredibly professional and helpful. I did get an offer, which I turned down for unrelated reasons, but it certainly was a serious approach and well handled.

Whatever you do, laying attention to your LinkedIn profile is very worthwhile!

Batgurl

Call the company, ask for HR.

"Hi there. I noticed you have a job advertised in your website. Do you prefer direct applications or is there a preferred recruiter you would like me to go through?"

Job done.