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Reverse recruiter: what it is and how it compares

A reverse recruiter, also called reverse recruiting or candidate marketing, works for the job seeker instead of the employer. The service finds openings, contacts employers or applies for you, and the job seeker pays. That is the opposite of a regular recruiter, who is paid by the employer.

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What a reverse recruiter does

  • Rewrites your resume and LinkedIn profile.
  • Searches for openings that fit and, depending on the service, applies for you.
  • Contacts hiring managers and recruiters on your behalf.
  • Schedules or prepares you for interviews.

What to ask before you pay

No one can guarantee a job. Treat a promise of one as a warning sign.

  • Exactly what they do each week, and what you still have to do yourself.
  • Whether they apply in your name and whether you approve each one.
  • How they charge: a flat fee, a monthly fee or a share of your pay, and what happens if you stop.
  • What they have done for people at your level and in your field, and whether you can talk to them.

Doing reverse recruiting yourself

This is the same work a paid service does, and the main thing you pay for is time. Our networking scripts guide has wording you can adapt.

  • List 20 to 30 employers you would want, and find the person who leads the team you would join.
  • Write a short note that says who you are, one result that fits their work and what you are asking for. Keep it under 100 words.
  • Send it directly, follow up once after a week, and keep a record of every contact.
  • Ask for 15 minutes to learn about the team, not for a job. Roles often follow from the conversation.

The other meaning of the term

Some employers use “reverse recruiting” for the opposite: reaching out to candidates who have not applied, instead of posting a role and waiting. Check which meaning a page or a person is using before you act on their advice.

How it compares with other help

A career coach teaches you how to run the search and does not do it for you. An executive recruiter fills an employer’s role and is paid by the employer. A reverse recruiter does part of the work for you, for a fee. NextChapter is free for job seekers: a Market Reality Assessment, a weekly plan, an AI career coach, and a way to send your resume to recruiters in our network.

Frequently asked questions

What is a reverse recruiter?

A person or service that represents the job seeker to employers, usually for a fee paid by the job seeker, instead of being paid by the employer.

Is a reverse recruiter worth it?

It depends on what they actually do and what you would otherwise do yourself. Ask for the weekly work, the fee structure and examples at your level before you pay.

Can I do reverse recruiting myself?

Yes. Pick target employers, write a short direct note to the person leading the team, follow up once and keep a record. A service does the same work for a fee.

How is a reverse recruiter different from a career coach?

A coach advises you and you do the search. A reverse recruiter does some of the search for you.

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