[lmg643]

I think the logic behind this response is valid, but in my experience with recruiters 9 / 10 of them would not go for this. (Would love to hear how it works for you!) Recruiters are not the same as dealing with a company directly, they are paid agents with certain rules of decorum.

The real point here is that companies that rely on recruiters generally have something broken about their culture. For a small firm, their management is probably not plugged into the industry, or they have become bureaucratic, lazy and/or process oriented (eg big firms) and probably not a great place to work. But you probably already know this, hence the letter.

[Soarez]

Exactly. That is the point.

I am curious too, but I think this one will not reply. If he does, i'll make sure to come back with an update. ;)

[mapster]

Are recruiters so loathed in the industry?

[lmg643]

For a job seeker, there are a decent number of superstars out there who do great work, know all the job openings at all the companies you care about, are in contact with decision makers and help fill big jobs. (If you want a big corporate job, that can be a great way in.) There just happen to be many more recruiters who are few or none of these things.

Not that different than the world of real estate brokers, barriers to entry are relatively low so anyone can try it, but only a proportionately small group of people are truly effective at it.

On the hiring end, a really good recruiter can definitely help a company fill specific positions, particularly in a new competency, and I've met some great people that way (but personally no hires).