What Do Recruiters Get for Finding You a Job?

I live, work, and recruit in the U.S., and this answer is tailored to that context.

The short answer is that recruiters don’t get paid for finding jobs for you. Their role is to find the best available candidates for the job so that the hiring manager can make the final decision. It’s essential to clarify how professionals are compensated for their work.

Understanding Recruiter Compensation

Recruiters are broadly classified into two categories: external and internal.

External Recruiters

External recruiters are employed or act as consultants for recruiting firms and find candidates for their clients. These recruiters are rewarded with a commission on a successful hire. The commission is typically based on the new hire's annualized starting salary, ranging from 15% for entry-level positions to 33% for executive-level roles.

Internal Recruiters

Internal recruiters, on the other hand, are employed by the companies they work for. They find candidates for their internal customers, such as departments or teams. These recruiters are often not compensated directly by the company but rather by their success in strengthening their team. In some rare cases, bonus programs do reward such recruiters, but this is not the norm.

Your Role in Job Search

It is crucial to understand that recruiters do not work for you but for the companies they represent. You should leverage their expertise while focusing on your own job search efforts. Networking and responding to posted job openings are highly effective means of finding job opportunities.

Busting Misconceptions

Many candidates mistakenly believe that recruiters will charge a flat fee to the employer, but this is not always the case. While some low-end recruiters may charge a flat fee, typically ranging from $6,000 to $10,000, others charge a percentage of the new hire's starting salary package, usually 20–35%.

Always remember that recruiters are not your advocates but rather representatives of the hiring company. They do not share commissions or fees with candidates. Your success in the job market is ultimately in your hands, and working with multiple strategies can increase your chances of finding a suitable position.

Conclusion

By understanding how and why recruiters are compensated, you can approach the job search process more effectively. Working with recruiters can be beneficial, but it is essential to be clear about their role and ensure that you are also actively seeking jobs through other means.