taylor (02/17/83)
Early Jan I requested comments on the use of a placement agency.
2 people were successfully placed.
1 cautioned to downgraded what the agency said by 50%.
2 people recommended against their use.
Both were in positions in which they did hiring.
I also checked with other sources. My conclusions follow:
You can sell yourself better than anyone else.
A good resume is worth the 40 hours it takes to write.
The agency is not going to spend that much time on rewriting your
resume.
The current market is tight, and headhunters are more interested
in a quick placement then a correct placement.
You can lose a good position because the firm can not afford both
you and the placement fee. (30% of first year's salary)
A placement agency's wholesale mailing of your resume to the
personnel department is no more effective than your doing the same
mailing. The headhunter is much less effective then your own, if
you do a good job writing a resume and cover letter.
Many companies offer employees a bonus if they find a new person.
Finding the position that is correct for both you and your new
employer is not a fast and easy process. But as Brooks said, the
difference between a program and a product is an order of magnitude.
Thank you to the people who answered my request.
mike taylor
decvax!wivax!taylor