[jrogers65]

Being a web developer in London who has dealt with many agencies, I call bullshit on this. Not one recruiter who I have dealt with has been a problem for me, quite the opposite, in fact. There is something wrong with your friend's perception of reality; that is to say, she is delusional and paranoid.

[gallinaponedora]

Dunno, I believe her. As I said it might be the fact that she was foreigner, just arrived and not assertive. (if I may add, I'm even surprised someone has a positive or even neutral opinion of recruiters! I'm pretty pretty sure that that view is not the common consensus, whether her case is extreme or not)

[jrogers65]

Seriously? They're a blessing - I'm rarely unemployed for more than a week thanks to them.

[pcowans]

This may be the difference between being a contractor and being after a permanent position. For the latter, with the exception of very senior roles, you don't often hear people talk about them as anything better than a necessary evil.

[jrogers65]

Ah, that explains it. I didn't use agencies when I was a junior and aim for lead dev/senior positions these days.