According to a new report by IT jobs board Dice.com, nearly one in four IT professionals thinks recruiters are a waste of their time.
Have you had a good experience with a recruiter?
28% — Yes, I got a job through a recruiter.
23% — I’ve gone on interviews set up by recruiters — but no job.
10% — I’ve gotten some good contract jobs.
39% — No, they’re not a good use of my time.
On the bright side, this poll reveals that 61% see at least some of the value recruiters bring to a job search.
The Dice report says recruiters “should be a part of any job search” because of the insights we provide, including details of a company’s culture, the hiring manager’s background, or the needs that resulted in the open job requisition.
The report summary also mentions that “retained recruiters especially have close relationships with employers, which allows them to provide insights that candidates can use to their advantage.”
For anyone who hasn’t yet skimmed the ongoing Dice.com message board entitled “Anyone else get sick of recruiters?” it’s worth reviewing if for nothing more than a voyeuristic “fly on the wall” chance to read what IT professionals think. It includes a gem of a comment equating technology recruiters to “a flock of mosquitoes, trying to pinch a little bit of your blood and soul while you are simply trying to manage the day to day of your job.”
The take-away message for the frustrated, job-seeking IT worker: Recruiters are only one aspect of a job search strategy, so remind your candidates to take some of the responsibility by investing in personal branding, professional social networks, and old-fashioned networking.