Working With More Than One Recruiter

A question I commonly get asked is whether or not it's okay to work with more than one recruiter?

The answer should be pretty simple. It's yes. In fact, a good recruiter will probably even advise you to do so. You can draw your own conclusions about what it means if someone tries to scare you into an exclusive arrangement.

Let's peel back the curtain a bit and talk about why it's a good thing to work with more than one recruiter. The fact of the matter is that there's a lot of crossover in the jobs recruiters work. We share a lot of clients. In the case when two recruiting firms are working the same job, you'll have to decide which one can represent your interests the best. Any good recruiter will tell you that while we share a lot of clients, we also have many that we maintain exclusive relationships with or work with as a preferred vendor. Your advantage in working with more than one has nothing to do with the clients we share. It's all about exposure to the ones we don't.

That's why it's important to pick the recruiters you work with wisely. It's an easy thing to take on a negative view of recruiters in general by working with the wrong firms. Take the time to look over your recruiter's LinkedIn profile. Research the company they work for and find out what kind of reputation they have in your industry. Work with a company that has a strong client base in your field--which likely means more of those exlusive opportunities.

Pro Tips:

1. You are the manager of your job search, not your recruiter(s). That means you have to stay organized. We do share a lot of clients and it makes you look bad if you are presented to the same job by more than one recruiter. The hiring company expects to recognize the job description the second time you see it and know that you don't apply for the same job more than once. So, keep a notebook or use an app on your phone. Keep track of the recruiter/firm, the name of the hiring company, the salary/wage, and the title of the job. Don't allow yourself to be presented to the same job by multiple recruiters. It looks unprofessional and can sometimes even mean having your candidacy rejected.
2. Form relationships with recruiters. While it's perfectly okay to work with more than one, it can be bad to work with too many. Many recruiters are transactional in the way they work. You only count when there's a job you're a fit for to them. Use your professional network to find the recruiters people you trust have had good experiences with or do some research on recruiters--what does their LinkedIn profile tell you about them? Is this someone you want to work with?

TL/DR: Yes, it's perfectly okay to work with more than one recruiter and it can even be a benefit to you if do it right. Manage your job search and the recruiters you work with and you'll have more success than viewing things on a more transactional basis. (Also: it wasn't that long. You could have read it.)