[vuyani]

most "good" points you mentioned there about recruiters code can replicate.

They do a lot of leg work for you

- simple stats and analysis

They have access to many openings that aren't public.

- This is just companies choosing their preferred recruiters in a fragmented industry. A solid platform would solve this

And they can convince good companies to create an opening for you if you would fit really well with the company

- I dont see code doing this. But how often does this happen though?

I get to send my resume to a few recruiters and they call me with all the openings that fit my skill set and i would be interested in.

- Not sure why you think this is exclusive to recruiters. Isnt this just another way of describing filters on a recruitment website?

.They make looking for a new position so much easier. Often they work in teams so you get multiple people doing this for you at the same time. Plus you build a relationship with them, their team, and the company so you with them better next time too.

- Its not hard to code something that can achieve this. Even saw a post here on HN about a site that can mass apply for jobs for you. Could make it a little more intelligent so it learns which jobs you prefer.

[jnordwick]

Companies in certain industries often don't publicly list because they don't want it widely known what they are looking for, what they are doing, or even that they exist sometimes. Or they don't want to weed through all the crap resumes and recruiters are their front line against that. That's not solvable with just a better platform.

And no algorithm, stats, and analysis is going to be a good as a recruiter who works regularly with a firm and knows what they are looking for, what the culture is like, and their internals.

Also recruiters help negotiate salary for you too, and that always helps.

They also take you out to lunch too :)

[michaelt]

  Also recruiters help negotiate salary for you too,
  and that always helps.

The recruiter's paid by the employer, and wants to maintain a good relationship with them. Surely their incentive is to place two candidates at $0.9x for a total of $1.8x, rather than placing a single candidate at $1.1x by driving a hard bargain?

I guess I'm confused as to why anyone would expect a better result by having someone else do your negotiation?

[jnordwick]

That's an interesting point but realistically I've never had that happen (that i know of at least). I've a always had them come back with better numbers than the initial offer.

[mianos]

Not down here in Australia. They get so much commission their interest is mainly in making a placement and will actively negotiate downwards if they think there is some risk in making the placement at a higher salary.