Headhunter wants to submit me at a company I'm already interviewing at

June 6, 2018 10:26 AM

I'm interviewing at a company that I want to work for. A headhunter at a placement firm wants to submit my information to the same company for another role. The direct application role is full time the placement role is contract. Not sure what to do.

On one hand, given both opportunities were a sure thing, I'd take the full time role. However, there's always a possibility that the full time role won't work out and the headhunter is adamant that I'd be a good fit for the contract position. I explained to the headhunter that I'm interviewing at the company but for another role (that sounds like it's in another part of the company).

I'm concerned that the contract role interviewing and offer could go faster than the full time role. I'm kind of stuck on what to do.

posted by toomanycurls to Work & Money (6 answers total)

In your place, I would be worried about what your position would be if the headhunter submits your name for the contract position and then you get the direct application position. And unless this company is so large that there is NO chance the same person might see both applications, I would be worried about confusing the people offering your first choice. Ask the headhunter to hold off until you have a definite "no" on the first position, or waters will be muddied. I would ask in writing (such as an email) so there will be no confusion.
posted by ubiquity at 10:37 AM on June 6, 2018 [5 favorites]

No, bad idea. The company has your resume already and you're in process. If they reject you after you're done interviewing, you can always decide to re-apply for the contract role.

I'm very surprised the recruiter doesn't think she's blocked from submitting candidates they already have on file.
posted by fingersandtoes at 10:39 AM on June 6, 2018 [12 favorites]

I would be genuinely surprised if the company would *accept* your resume from the headhunter under ANY circumstances at this point. Most companies don't want to get into fights about who is owed compensation for what position with headhunters - since they've seen your resume, I'm sure they'd consider you for whatever position is appropriate.
posted by scolbath at 10:40 AM on June 6, 2018 [7 favorites]

Headhunter responding ...

Your message to the headhunter: "Thank you for your interest in submitting me for the contract position. I appreciate your confidence in my abilities. I prefer the full-time position for which I am already interviewing, so my request is that you not take any action until my candidacy for the full-time position is resolved. Can I count on you to do that?"
posted by John Borrowman at 10:59 AM on June 6, 2018 [12 favorites]

Most recruiters won't submit you for a position at a company if you've already been 'seen' there in the past year. Agree with others that you should not move forward with the placement. This recruiter doesn't seem too competent, and you definitely don't want your name to be associated with a recruiter who doesn't know what they're doing.
posted by Everydayville at 11:45 AM on June 6, 2018 [4 favorites]

And remember that the recruiter is certainly going to say you're a good fit for the job they are putting you up for. That doesn't necessarily mean they have first-hand knowledge about the job and who is and isn't a good fit. I've had plenty of recruiters tell me the same thing - because they don't understand that programmers generally specialize in different languages (so they'll tell me I'm a great fit even when it's a job that uses a program that I don't even have any experience with).
posted by dawkins_7 at 10:19 AM on June 7, 2018