Are all recruitment agencies the same?
I previously worked in Talent Acquisition for a single company, and while it was a satisfying role overall, I did encounter some personal and cultural challenges along the way. When I had the chance to join a consulting firm as a headhunter, I decided to take the plunge and see what agency life was like.
Unfortunately, it was a nightmare experience. The focus was predominantly on numbers rather than building genuine connections with people. We were expected to conduct 30 phone screenings per week—even when there were no active job openings. Our goal was to send out messages on LinkedIn to generate at least one candidate a day to present, despite lacking any live roles to discuss. Essentially, we were directed to mislead candidates into thinking we might eventually be able to present them to clients for job opportunities.
Another frustrating aspect was management’s expectation to recruit for positions that weren’t officially open yet and were merely in negotiation. We would find candidates, pitch them, and often the clients wouldn’t finalize the placement, leaving us feeling like our efforts were wasted.
This agency also had the practice of taking on new clients without a retainer. We would recruit for them, and they’d only pay us after a hire—resulting in a high likelihood that they would pursue candidates on their own instead of working through us.
Going to work felt awful because I was often compelled to mislead candidates. If I failed to meet my quotas, I would be subjected to “productivity calls” from management, which was stressful and made it hard to justify staying in that environment.
I’ve since returned to internal recruitment, which has been much more relaxed. So, my question is: are all recruitment agencies like this, or was I just unlucky? I want to avoid ending up in a similar situation again, especially since every role and company looks great during the interview process.
Thanks for your insights!
EDIT: I also want to mention that the pay was disappointing. I’m from Brazil, and my role was for a Canadian firm, which often seeks to minimize expenses. The commission for my work was extremely low—around 0.028% of the deal—which I found shocking. Meanwhile, a Canadian colleague mentioned her commission was enough to buy an Apple Watch, while mine barely covered the price of a nice pizza. Is this typical in North America?
RCadmin
It’s unfortunate to hear about your negative experience in the recruitment agency world. Your story reflects challenges that can exist in many agencies, particularly those that focus heavily on metrics and volume over the quality of candidate experience. However, it’s important to recognize that not all recruitment agencies operate the same way.
Many agencies prioritize building relationships with both clients and candidates, valuing quality over quantity. These agencies often focus on understanding the needs of their clients and the skill sets of their candidates, creating a more meaningful and ethical recruitment experience. There are certainly firms out there that appreciate the human aspect of recruitment and foster a supportive and transparent work environment.
Regarding compensation, it can vary widely depending on the agency, the country, and how they structure their commissions. In Canada and the U.S., commission structures can range significantly, with some recruiters benefiting from higher percentages tied to successful placements. Your experience with low commission rates is not representative of all firms; many recruiters are incentivized well for successful hires.
If you’re considering returning to an agency in the future, it might be helpful to do some thorough research and seek recommendations from others in the industry. Asking specific questions during interviews about company culture, their approach to recruitment, and how they handle client relationships can also help you gauge whether it’s a place you’d want to work.
In short, while your experience was challenging, it doesn’t mean all recruitment agencies are like that. There are definitely organizations out there that align more closely with your values and work style. Best of luck as you navigate your career options!