To be so wary of recruitment consultants?

[allatsee]

I work in IT in a moderately senior technical role. I've been with my employer for 7 years, and feel ready for a change, so I've been browsing jobs on LinkedIn and elsewhere, setting up alerts etc. Occasionally I'm contacted by a recruitment consultant - usually they're happy to tell me who they're recruiting for, and to send over some details so I can decide if I'm interested. However, sometimes they say they won't tell me until we've had a conversation or I've sent them my CV. Aibu to be very wary and to tell them I'm not interested unless they send me details upfront? I dislike the smoke and mirrors.

I don’t think that’s unreasonable.

Recruitment consultants are fine as long as you filter out the bullshit they feed you.

They quite often call me on an unsolicited basis to tell me I’ve been headhunted by their client. What they mean is they’re phoning round everyone in my role at my level on the off chance they get some interest. I’ve had occasions when 30 second after I’ve put the phone down they’ve called my colleague on the next desk!

Yeah most of them are vultures. I’ve had so much of my time wasted for them not giving me any information on salary or worse, getting me an interview and telling me it’s a higher salary. I was offered the job, accepted and when I went to sign it was 30K less than the recruiter had told me. Luckily I hadn’t handed in my notice. I was fuming with them. Most of them are just kids who haven’t got a clue

I think it’s industry /area dependent . I’ve found them invaluable . If I want a new job I change my status on linked in to “looking” and instantly get5/6 recruiters calling. I pick my favourite and tell them what I’m looking for and they send me a list of jobs with brief outline of the job/company. If Im interested in a role the recruiter sends my cv to them and has a chat with them. Saves the ballache of endless applications. I wait a week or so and if they haven’t found me a job I like I pick the next one on the list and repeat. It means I can be applying for 5 jobs at once without more effort than a candid conversation or two with recruiters

I wouldn't be wary since this is quite standard and often depends on their agreement with their client.

But I usually refuse on the basis I don't have time to have a call about a job I have 0 idea about.

Most will then either send information or refuse and I'll move on with my life.

Depends how in demand and or desperate you are to leave.

I've always been 'in demand' so never had issues pushing for info up front and 99% of the time they will give in. I've never had an interview and not been offered the role so have a strong track record for recruiters to work with.

No need to be wary.
Just property understand what their job is and how they get paid. Once you get that they are absolutely fine to deal with (mostly)
They are not there to give you career advice or help you get a job. They are there to place you in a role on their books or one they have spotted and think you might be right for so they can earn commission and hit targets. That’s all
Most of them are decent people working in a high pressure, high turnover environment so don’t expect anything other than them chasing commission

The issue is that if they tell you the name of the employer straight away, you could just go and apply directly which would mean they wouldn’t get their fee. Most employers would be upfront but if they’re paying 20% of your annual salary to their recruiter, it’s a big saving if you go to them directly.

Personally I think the right recruiters are invaluable (plus I used to be one). If I want a new role, I’ll reach out for a trusted few who will send me over interesting roles. It’s a huge time saver than doing the job search yourself. Plus they’re being paid to fill the role so it’s in their best interests for you to get the job. So use that to your advantage, ask lots of questions about the company, what have other candidates not done well in interviews, what kind of people do they like to hire etc.

If you go direct to the company and they employ you they will lose out on their commission fee for introducing you. I can understand why they would be unwilling to share that information.