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It's been over 10 years since I had my own business, but when I did, I tried to use "we" instead of "I" and paint the business as a business offering services rather than one person trying to get work. It became very frustrating dealing with recruiters (the people who typically contact you for work). A typical conversation would go something like this:

Me: I see you're looking to fill a position involving a lot of graphics work. We could help you out.

Them: Please send the resume.

Me: I'm not offering the services of just a single developer. We have a variety of services we offer. Please see our web site at <http://www.example.com/>.

Them: Please send the resume.

Me: I'm unclear what resume you want me to send. I'm not offering you a single person, but a full-service solution.

Them: Please send the resume.

Me: ...?

I'm sure I could have spent time coming up with some response for these people, but it wasn't worth it. I ended up only working with clients I could deal with directly as it was much easier to have a conversation with them.

So just be aware that you'll have to deal with this type of nonsense from time-to-time.



Recruiters recruit people, so of course they want a resume. If you aren't a person a person that wants to be recruited or wants to recruit someone, a recruiter is the wrong person to talk to.


Unfortunately, many times the 'default' gatekeeper to anyone else worth your time in the org IS the recruiter. Using social engineering and/or linkedin you are sometimes able to figure who you need to speak to and access them directly.


Using social engineering and/or linkedin you are sometimes able to figure who you need to speak to and access them directly

I think you just described what 'sales' is.


I just realized that. But I'd rather call it social engineering ... Sales is an amorphous concept filled with too much 'magic' for me :)


On the flip side, I recently was hiring for a senior engineer position, where I specified individuals only, and was inundated with emails from firms who were sure they could "help me out" with a "full-service solution." Maddening.


Recruiters don't exist to act as external sales people for your agency. They are there to find individuals for companies to hire.




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