[tmaly]

I have used recruiters on almost every job I have worked. I find it is easier if they have an existing relationship with the company and management. They can provide you with a better idea of what the people are like at the company in some cases.

[world32]

Sorry but I think you are very naive for thinking that.

Recruiters will be able to tell you very basic information about the working place (i.e. office hours, dress code, number of holidays, size of the team etc.) - all the things that you can easily find out for yourself. And keep in mind they are NEVER going to say something bad about the company. They are trying to sell the job to your so they can get their commission.

On top of that, the recruiter needs to be paid one way or another (in the UK they usually get paid a percentage of your salary over 1-2 years). Although recruiters are usually paid by the employer and not the candidate, it still means that to an employerer a candidate costs less to them if they come directly rather than through a recruiter. Hence you will have a harder time getting a higher salary if you go through a recruiter.

They are nothing more than middlemen and you are doing yourself a disfavour by using them if you do.

[tmaly]

I agree there are a lot of boiler room type recruiters out there that fit your description. However, there are some that truly build relationships with the management of the firm. Some firms like the one I am at now, establish relationships with only a limited number of recruiters.

[pavel_lishin]

It's very hard to find a good recruiter, though. Some of the ones I've used just started shotgunning a list of job titles and companies at me.

[chasedehan]

I couldn’t disagree more. In my experience I have found recruiters to be a complete waste of time (whether internal or external).

[RhodesianHunter]

Recruiters are like Realtors.

The vast majority are crap. The really good ones are worth their weight in gold.

[borplk]

At some point "the good ones" are rare enough that it makes no difference if there are any "good ones" somewhere or not when your chances of finding one is ridiculously low.

[world32]

I'm wondering, what can a recruiter do that would ever make them be worth their weight in gold?

[cimmanom]

The question then becomes: how do you find a non-awful recruiter remotely?