I think that some very interesting things are happening right now in the recruiting world. The most interesting thing I have seen is that fee pressure from clients has all but disappeared. I can't remember the last time a client or a prospective client expected us to work a search for sub standard fees. Now, I know that most retained firms will say that most contingent firms to begin with work at sub standard fees but my opinion is that they can say whatever they want.

Companies are realizing that they need people now and that they need to stop wasting time going through the hundreds and hundreds of unqualified candidates they are receiving from internet postings. I see this as a step in the right direction but there still needs to be some changes in how internal recruiters are working with third party recruiters if they want to install a sense of urgency for the search.

1. Do not view recruiters as internet job posting sites with the view that the more visibility, the better my chances. No recruiter who views their business as a business is going to drop what they are doing to compete with 6 other firms.

2. Understand that recruiters are in business to make money and therefore will work those searches that a) Can realistically be filled and b) pay the most

3. Allow us recruiters access to the hiring manager for the position. There are a million reasons why this is so and not one good reason not to. If the hiring manager does not want to communicate with a recruiter who is going to work to find the right candidate, well...... the search is a waste of time. Sometimes you come across an internal recruiter who gets the big picture and this is very helpful.

4. Tell us that if we can submit the right candidate within a specific time frame, there will be a bonus attached to the regular fee such as an additional 5-10 percent of the candidates yearly salary. It makes sense to do this.


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