[jcjmcclean]

I'm in a similar position to you. Group of friends which has formed from working across multiple companies over the years.

I asked a few recruiters this question and was really disappointed that none of them were interested in placing a group (even just 2 developers) together.

The only way we had any success was by talking with early-ish stage startups who were looking to build engineering teams. A friend and I spoke with a couple of founders who wanted to hire us both. Unfortunately one didn't have enough cash and the other opportunity was less exciting to us, so it didn't go anywhere.

We've since ended up working on a project together for a very early stage startup, compensated with equity as well as salary. We still have our day jobs though, it's an evenings and weekends thing for now.

[_imba_]

Interesting. I haven't gone to recruiters but I would assume going as a group makes their jobs easier. We've done some moderately successful startups (small non-US market, though) in the past, but I don't think anyone has the appetite (or ideas) to realistically bootstrap again right now.

[Eumenes]

> I asked a few recruiters this question and was really disappointed that none of them were interested in placing a group (even just 2 developers) together.

Have you seen a recruitment agreement/contract? They're usually standardized to focus on hiring individuals, with specific roles, at a certain rate/method of payment. They want to send your resume to more than one client - how many companies want to hire a pair of people and would enter into a contract to conduct that search? Probably zero. Recruiters can lose their fee if the hires quit/fired before a certain date. What if only 1/2 or 1/3 worked out? Hiring a group would be complicated from the recruiters perspective, not worth the risk. They don't get paid unless they make the hire.

Imo, the group/pair should approach the CTO/CEO or engineering leadership and do negotiates that way instead. Recruiters take a hefty chunk of $$ and if you're trying to "market" yourself, going thru a recruiter is less professional as a small squad vs direct business development.