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Nearly a year ago, a recruiter put me in contact with a potential employer. The opportunity was [i]perfect[/i]. But there was one hitch, I had been left in charge of our small consulting company's operations while my boss was on an overseas assignment and felt obligated to wait for his return.

I [i]really[/i] wanted to move but my (misplaced?) loyalties insisted that I give my boss 3 months notice -- yes, a deal-breaker. (So maybe I didn't really want to move...)

This would have been the perfect job.

I understand that the client was also very keen on hiring me. The recruiter told me that the client communicated to her (after my interview) that they thought I was [i]exactly[/i] the person they wanted for the job.

Unfortunately, the notice period was just too long.

It should be said that an offer was [i]never[/i] made -- so I may be deluding myself regarding their true level of interest. The recruiter met with me two more times to persuade me to reconsider the notice period. But I stubbornly / stupidly held fast.

Eventually, they found someone else.

It's eleven months later and I no longer feel compelled to give a ridiculously long notice period. I am again thinking of moving jobs and this potential employer is first on my mind.

I tried contacting the recruiter but she is on maternity leave (shame on me for not knowing). She will be back on April Fool's day.

My question (finally) would be: Is there any "code" that I would be violating if I approached the potential employer on my own? (I don't feel like waiting 2 months)

bflynn's picture

Your contact with this company is because of her building the relationship between the two of you. It is wrong to shut her out.

Given the unusual circumstances, I would suggest contacting the company and explaining your interests. Mention that you were working with the recruiter last year, but she is out until April and you haven't been able to talk with her recently. If there is still interest, ask if you can move forward with the understanding that the recruiter is involved. It may mean that you don't get this position because of it, but it would be the right thing to do.

The recruiter's value is their relationships. If you keep that in mind and respect it, you can rarely go wrong.

Brian

jacques's picture

Well... I wasn't [i]planning[/i] on shutting her out. But thanks for pointing out that it can be interpreted that way.

I like your suggestion [i]a lot[/i]. I'm going to use it.
Thank you very much!

bflynn's picture

It sounds like I came across too strongly - I apologize. I did not intend to imply that would cut out the recruiter.

Note - you may wind up talking about a job with this company for which they normally do not use recruiters. My advice is to stick to keeping the recruiter involved unless she voluntarily bows out. Its just the right thing to do.

Brian

Mark's picture
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I'm sorry this has taken me so long. I regret my absence.

This is a great post!

And Brian's right.

Doing the right thing doesn't always pay off...visibly. But an honest man's conscience is his pillow.

Again, my apologies for my delay.

Mark