[Anonymous]

Can someone explain to me how this works? Do I just send them my resume/place my resume on file with them and they will match me with a job/ help me set up interviews? I am thinkin of changing positions and they seem to have a large presence in the market I’m in.

[Anonymous]

Also, how confidential is their process. I know that they have a connection to my employer and I'm a little worried about the recruiter tipping off my boss that I may be job hunting.

[Anonymous]

You will have to interview with them first and there are usually competency tests you will have to take as well. If you're temping through them then they are your direct employer. They usually have very few straight to permanent positions but many are temp-to-hire. In that situation you are a Robert Half employee 3-6 months while working for the client. If the client likes you they'll hire you on full time. Think of it as an extended interview process. Which speaking of, most times you will have to interview with their client before they'll take you on as well. .

Keep in mind, Robert Half has a seniority system. They have lifers that have the first peck at the best, high paying jobs. If you stick with this route there is a chance you'll have to take a “grunt” job to prove your worth.

But, having a relationship with Robert Half is great. If you do work for one of their clients and get a great review you can go back to them at any time and they will find you work.

[mla1169]

If Robert Half has a connection to your employer I'd steer clear. Chances are whoever receives your resume wouldn't mention it but it's a risk I wouldn't take because there's a very good chance they won't find you anything. Besides a good portion of the jobs RH advertises aren't actual current job listings, they spend just as much time scouring craigslist and indeed to call companies who have positions advertised to “sell” their applicants to.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I missed the part that said RH has a connection to your current employer. That is a tough situation. Personally I don't think your employer would get tipped off because I have always had a good experience with RH. I sought them out and they set me up with a position…within days. Literally days. But that doesn't mean all offices are created equal.

[Anonymous]

I would steer clear of Robert half if they are connected to your employer. Just from my personal experience, when I was at a cpa firm, a recruiter apparently gave a list of people's names that they were working with or spoken to at my firm to our HR department. HR was really excited about the list but none of us employees were obviously. Some of us were spoken to by our supervisors and the whole situation was really uncomfortable. We were never sure which recruiter it was that spilled the beans but we had our suspicions since we all compared notes as to who we had spoken with. After that we never really trusted recruiters because they couldn't keep our business private.

[retro1312]

I would as well follow the advice of staying clear of them of them if they are affiliated with your current employer.

I had an experience of working with them. They placed me in a temp job. Things were not working out with the job on my end, so I had confidentially asked them to pursue another position for me, and I agreed I would continue at the current position until they could find another job for me.

They went behind my back and told the company I was temping for that I was not happy with the job. Needless to say, the company came to me and wanted to fire me. I had to do a lot of back tracking and smoothe talking to keep the job. Eventually the company promoted me to a higher level position and a pay increase so it worked out. However, Robert Half almost screwed me over big time.

FAR: 81
REG: 77
AUD: 74,74,74 88 finally!
BEC: 77

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the feedback! That's kind of what I was thinking, but its good to hear the confirmation. My coworker had an extremely positive experience with RH to get her current position and said they opened doors for her that may not have been possible before so I was considering it pretty hard. But at the same time, I dont want to be unemployed looking for a job either.

[How many letters do you need]

The tipoff thing is recruiter dependant. The decent to good ones wont. The shady ones who are trying to get in good with a particular manager just might. Does Robert Half have a relationship with your employer or your boss? If it's your boss you could have a problem but if it's just a relationship with your company and their HR dept you are in much better shape

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Anonymous]

We just hired a new auditor and my boss did the hiring thru RH with limited assistance with HR. So I would say that the relationship is with my Boss. I think I'm going to steer clear of RH for now.

[Rocky123]

I'm in the same situation. I was placed in my current position because of RH. When I spoke with a recruiter the other day, she asked how long I was at this job, because they don't want to upset my current employer. I told her and she said it would be okay since sufficient time has passed. I have an interview with her next week to chat, so I'll definitely bring that up.

But clearly I was a good candidate if my current employer hired me. I would think RH would be more willing to help someone proven. I would guess. But who knows…

I'm looking on my own, but figured I'd cover all bases. Guess I'll see how the interview with them goes.

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

AUD-PASS
BEC-PASS
REG-PASS
FAR-PASS

Rocky123, CPA

[Anonymous]

A tad bit off topic…but are they compensated based on the starting salary of those that they place? If so, they may have to pay back some of it if there fee if you leave? So maybe that's why RH was reluctant to help you a second time around.

[StephAV]

Yes, my boss was placed by a recruiter (not RH, but Randstad) I believe the fee they wanted was 20% of the annual salary… We negotiated it down a little, but that is pretty hefty! Sometimes that might be a mark against you in the decision making process.

I worked for Accountemps for a little while (3 months) after I left public accounting. I worked with lots of recruiters during that time. My experience is the recruiters all started at RH and they all know each other. They earn some pretty hefty commissions so they are very sales oriented. I never had to take a test. I did coffee shop informal interviews with the recruiters and from there they would let me know what they had. I agree that a lot of the time, they don't actually “have” anything, they hustle to try to get you in for an interview and present your resume without the contact info to the potential company.

I think it is in the contract that they won't recruit the placed employee or any other employee from the business for X years or months. Randstad just reached out to me recently and I think it has been 18 months to 2 years since they placed my boss…

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[Rocky123]

I'll have to check out Ranstad too. Thanks.

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held its ground.

AUD-PASS
BEC-PASS
REG-PASS
FAR-PASS

Rocky123, CPA

[fuzyfro89]

Let's be clear about one thing: Every career move you make will be a risk.

There's an inherent risk in looking for a new job. Potential employers may know your current manager. Recruiters may know your manager. You might not like a new job even if you get it. And 100+ other things…

Recruiters are compensated by the firm that hires you. Ever heard the phrase, “Never bite the hand that feeds you.”? Well, most recruiters (external headhunters) will side with companies as they are the real client. You, as a potential employee, come 2nd to the hiring company.

It's extremely unprofessional to snitch to anyone that you are entertaining a new position… but it can happen. You'll have to judge whether or not you can afford to take on that risk…

[Author]

Replies