Cold Calling "Recruiters"

Every so often, I get a burst of cold calling recruiters. I don't know if it is a season or what, but for whatever reason, I always get 5-6 cold callers within a 3-5 day span then radio silence for about a month. I always like to listen to them discuss the last activity on my resume. Because I switch somewhat frequently, I can tell how old the resume the resume they have. And, it is quite fascinating how old some of them are... then at the same time, how old my phone number is............ then how old I am...................... (sigh)

Although kind of annoying, I will admit that I did get a couple jobs through the cold callers and the jobs ended-up not bad. Respectfully, I usually just start the conversation by asking what their rates are. If they tell me, usually the numbers are pretty low, and I tell them the minimum amount it would take me to leave my current job which typically higher than (what I think is) the normal rates. "I think" because I am still figuring out how what that is.

My first couple contracting jobs, the recruiters were more than happy to meet my rate. Then I was suckered into that I already signed up for those rates when I bring up the topic after the interviews. I still worked hard and got some experience eventually leaving for something better. Odd that the same recruiter cannot find a new job for candidates they already have.

Most of the time the recruiter does not give the rate first by asking what I am looking for. So I give a much higher rate than if they gave me their client's range. What I found interesting is that no matter what I give, they always say they cannot meet the range, pick the lower ranged number, and subtract $5 / hr. So if I say that I am look for $50 - 55, they will respond, "I don't think our client can pay that but I can probably get them to do $45." I can double this amount, and they'll say $95. (The values are made up although it would be nice to make $100 / hr.)

Of course, I get fewer call backs when I give higher numbers but it is surprising (at least to me) how they won't reject any value that I provide. Although it sounds like a game, I actually give them real numbers that I can live with because if they ever do say that they can work with it, I do not want to be stuck with something I didn't mean for... even if the number is much higher than the market. Why would I leave a job that I already have good standing at to an unknown place for the similar amount?

Worst is when they ask what I do make... sometimes I give it and sometimes I do not. Why does it matter what I make? If I am going to do more, I should be paid more. If I got a job as a cashier, I am sure they will not be matching my current rate.

One of the many double standards on why everyone just hates the HR industry. Don't hate the recruiters, hate the game =P