Press Release
Should I Sign an Exclusive Contract with a Recruiting Firm?
Friday, August 29, 2008
I am beginning a new job search and am wondering if it makes sense to register with several recruiting firms or should I just sign an exclusive contract with one search firm?
First, I would never sign an exclusive contract with a search firm unless they will either guarantee finding you a job or pay you a fee for limiting your options. No search firm in their right mind would agree to such an arraignment so neither should you. Secondly, you probably don’t want to register with too many search firms for the simple fact that it will be tough to build relationships with all of the recruiters. A candidate that is able to build a relationship with a recruiter has a better chance of being represented more adequately. The recruiter will feel invested in a particular candidate and will want to help that person. Since recruiters aren’t paid by candidates, this is the leverage a candidate can have with a recruiter – the relationship. So I would limit the number to two or three at the most. However, make sure that the recruiting firms you sign up with specialize in your area of expertise. If not, the chance of building any relationship is slim.