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"How do you advise a job seeker to choose a recruiting firm? Are there any guidelines?"
Choosing a recruiter is one of the most important aspects not only of a job
search but also of long term career development. Here are a few guidelines I
would suggest:
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Check Reputation -- ask other professionals which recruiting firms they
recommend, as well as which ones to avoid.
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Experience. How many years have they been recruiting? What are examples
of their client base (companies where they have made placements)? What is
the length of time servicing that client base?
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Do they specialize in your area? Generalist recruiters (recruiters who
place a wide variety of different positions) don't typically have the quality
of contacts or the level of knowledge to give you optimum service and results.
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Ethical practices and approach! A recruiter should never ask you to
falsify information on your resume or ask you to do anything unethical.
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Will only send your resume out with your permission, after he/she
has explained the opportunity to you.
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Look for a recruiter who takes the time to understand your values as
well as your personal and professional goals.
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Never Pushy - No Pressure: You should never be pressured by your recruiter
to make a particular decision. A good recruiter recognizes that you are an
adult capable of making your own decisions. He or she may offer guidance
and/or input, but ultimately he needs to respect your decisions.