Craigslist, Job Searches, Trendspotting

Job-seekers Paying Recruiters: Hot New Trend?

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Earlier this month, duty called us to a midtown Manhattan bar to cover a Pink Slip Party for our sister site, Dealbreaker. Geared toward those laid off from Wall Street, the “party” was a depressing scene meant to bring job-seekers together with potential employers. There were more recruiters than potential employers around, though, and there were lines of people in suits waiting to sit at booths to go over their resumes with the recruiters.

Job seekers are similarly disadvantaged in the legal market, thanks to continuing layoffs. One unemployed lawyer is trying a novel new approach. He wants to turn the headhunter payment arrangement inside out, and pay a recruiter to find a job for him. From his Craigslist ad:

This economy sucks. It probably sucks for recruiters too! Therefore I want to make life a little more interesting. This may not be a huge amount of money, but if you’re already on commission it’s more than usual I imagine.. For any recruiter that helps me a permanent position as an associate attorney in relevant areas (defined below) I will pay the following immediately:

$60,000- $69,999 per annum I will pay you $3,000

$70,000 – $90,000 per annum I will pay you $4,000

$100,000 + per annum I will pay you $5,000

I am also looking for contract work in the short term. I will pay $300 for anything which is supposed to last more than a month.

This seems to make sense. Sometimes job seekers are advised to avoid working with a recruiter because it makes them more expensive, since the employer has to pay the recruiter a fee on top of the new hire’s salary. If the new hire foots the recruitment bill, the game changes.

Some people don’t like this idea. The Craigslist poster, who asked to remain anonymous, has had some angry responses, after the jump.


The Craigslist poster had not heard from any recruiters in the first 24 hours of posting. But he has heard from some haters:

While I haven’t had a response from a recruiter yet, I have had 2 nasty emails. One from a girl called Stephanie, saying she was going to “find out who [I am] and f*** me- not in a good way”, the other questioning my use of the term “barred”, and going swiftly downhill from there. Lovely people.

Sponsored

We’ll keep in touch with the job seeker and let you know if it works. Stay tuned.

NEW YORK CRAIGSLIST POSTING IN LEGAL JOBS

Competition for Legal recruiters & Agencies (Midtown East)

Reply to: job-1048909859@craigslist.org

Date: 2009-02-24, 4:21PM EST

Sponsored

INTRO:

I am a New York barred attorney (male, early-mid twenties). Last year I graduated from a top 10 U.S. Law School’s LL.M. program with good grades. I have been working for 8 months at a top 5 New York law firm as a contract attorney on a securities litigation case. (Just ended). I am from the UK- worked in a mid-sized law firm for a year in the corporate department. (I designed a private equity system- memoranda, contracts etc from start to finish.) This should indicate my particular strength in computing. I am detail orientated and very good at problem solving and creative solutions. I am great with people and don’t mind working extremely hard.

COMPETITION:

This economy sucks. It probably sucks for recruiters too! Therefore I want to make life a little more interesting. This may not be a huge amount of money, but if you’re already on commission it’s more than usual I imagine.. For any recruiter that helps me a permanent position as an associate attorney in relevant areas (defined below) I will pay the following immediately:

$60,000- $69,999 per annum I will pay you $3,000

$70,000 – $90,000 per annum I will pay you $4,000

$100,000 + per annum I will pay you $5,000

I am also looking for contract work in the short term. I will pay $300 for anything which is supposed to last more than a month.

RELEVANT AREAS:

I came to New York to work in something related to corporate law. I.E. corporate, corporate litigation, restructuring, bankruptcy, corporate finance, securities etc. I am also interested in foreclosure work and employment law. Feel free to make suggestions. I may normally be a second year, but I’m happy to start as a first year associate.

PAYMENT:

Will be made by check, although can be discussed if alternate payment desired. This entire arrangement can remain confidential. Please email above for more details or a phone number.

Competition for Legal recruiters & Agencies (Midtown East) [Craigslist]

Unemployed? Take a number… and a pink glow stick bracelet. [Dealbreaker]

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