Work for a recruiting agency?

[wageslave23]

I have a job offer from Robert Half recruiting agency to be the local branch manager.  I currently work as an accounting manager for a CPA firm.  I don't really enjoy the nuts and bolts of actually doing accounting and tax work.  Only 25% of my current job is this, but I would like to be 0% actual accounting work.  So I kind of see this as my way out.  They focus on placing accounting and finance positions so that's why I'm desirable to them for branch manager.  They offered me a really great base salary and guaranteed bonus that is about 10% more than I am currently making.  The extra money isn't really important but it at least tells me that they are serious.  Anybody have any experience working as a recruiter?  Or know if that experience could translate into an executive role with a corporation?  I've heard some bad things about Robert Half and recruiting in general.  I also hear that it can be longer hours; I enjoy my 40 hr weeks (off at 4pm) but I also wonder if the time would go by faster if I am working in sales and networking with other people.  Thanks for any input.

[AlotToLearn]

I am in that industry right now and it is rewarding financially but demanding. You can make a career out of it, and the firm you are interviewing with provides solid training.

Go for it.

[wageslave23]

Thanks Alottolearn.  What would be some possible careers after getting experience?  HR?  Do they work long hours?  Thanks again.

[AlotToLearn]

Potential exits include HR (if you want to go that route, gain a SPHR certification), corporate recruiter (essentially only hire directly for one company) or doing business development for a company ( sales)

[SKL-HOU]

I am not sure if you can be done at 4. Most people prefer to talk to recruiters outside of regular business hours so you may have calls after 5.

[wageslave23]

I am not sure if you can be done at 4. Most people prefer to talk to recruiters outside of regular business hours so you may have calls after 5.

That's a good point.  Anybody else have experience working as a recruiter?  Do you have to work late?   Is it a good launching point into other careers?  I'm currently and would be low 6 figures.  Is there upward mobility either within recruiting or outside of it afterwards?  Or would I be kind of capped out?

[Papa bear]

I PM'd you directly, but here is some general feedback on the industry.  I've been working in 3rd party for 10 years, with 5 years at my own firm.

Pros:

You can make a lot of money.  Positions are typically commission based.  If you are good, look for 100k+.  If you are good and lucky, 250k+. If you meet expectations, you'll probably get 150% of median area pay rates. If you don't perform, you leave, place yourself into a job, go into corporate recruiting, or get fired. 

You get the chance to talk with a lot of people and get to know a market or industry pretty well.  You will get to a point of knowing what is happening with companies or employees before anything is made public.  The rumor mill runs strong.  You may find out about upcoming layoffs or a large contract that is being signed.  From a personnel perspective, you may be working with an executive that is confidentially looking to leave, or hiring a SVP without the current person knowing that their position is on the chopping block.

There is a sense of accomplishment with helping someone with their job search, or finding the perfect person to start working for one of your clients.  For the most part, when you are working with someone, you have just found them a position that is better than their previous role.  You may have shortened a commute, found someone a promotion, or moved someone to a flexible, work from home position.  You will probably change someone's life at some point. 

Cons:

This is sales.  Every bit of it is sales. Selling your service to companies.  Selling to people to convince them that they want to change jobs.  Hell, just getting someone on the phone is difficult.  This is a job that is heavy on cold calling and you should expect a lot of rejection, ghosting, no shows, and following bad leads.  Your compensation is also based on your ability to sell.  If you don't pick up the phone, don't network, or have a bad month, your salary will reflect this.

This is a cutthroat industry, you will get lied to constantly, and you have to be a psychologist.  Your competitors/other firms will constantly try to take your business.  They will undercut your bids, embellish their results, or spread rumors about your service.  Employees that you are representing will lie to you.  They will drag you through weeks of work for a client of yours, only to tell you, "thanks, but I only needed to get an offer so that I could get my current company to match or counter."  Companies will lie to you, not pay you for your services, and blame you when things go wrong.  You will get used to being the scapegoat.  Companies will send you on wild goose chases just to benchmark you off of someone else or their own teams. 

The internal politics can be horrendous.  As I said above, this is sales.  And some of your coworkers will do nothing but claim credit on your accounts, your recruits, and your efforts.  You will get thrown under the bus by these people.  Be weary and be careful who you trust. Most coworkers will be great to work with.  But those few that are backstabbers can really burn you.

[AlotToLearn]

To be fair, all of the cons listed can be found in many industries that are sales related. My best friend has been in the mortgage industry since 1998 and when I showed him this thread he chuckled and said "Is he talking about what I do?"

Can you get off at 4pm? Yes you can.
Will it potentially impact who you have the ability to talk to? Potentially.

The question the OP has to ask himself is what are his true intentions in making a move. If you are solely going into recruiting because you are thinking of your next job after this one, then you may want to reconsider.

[Papa bear]

To be fair, all of the cons listed can be found in many industries that are sales related. My best friend has been in the mortgage industry since 1998 and when I showed him this thread he chuckled and said "Is he talking about what I do?"

Can you get off at 4pm? Yes you can.
Will it potentially impact who you have the ability to talk to? Potentially.

The question the OP has to ask himself is what are his true intentions in making a move. If you are solely going into recruiting because you are thinking of your next job after this one, then you may want to reconsider.

Very true on the cons list. And I’m sure a lot of people will look at that and see some similarities where they are.

As for the hours - at a place like Robert half, they will be pretty strict on hours.  Though, if you are the branch, you can probably get away with a lot of “afternoon client meetings” to get out early.  Your staff will catch on though and this will probably cause some problems.

Going to a smaller firm, a local place, or starting your own, will give you a LOT more flexibility.  But even then you will have to do evening interviews and phone calls on occasion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk