After ten years of managing and training new recruiters and building a recruiting business, I have gone back to the desk.

As much as the business has changed, it has remained the same.

The most glaring difference is the third party recruiter's relationship with the Human Resources dept.

In 1979, when I started recruiting, we didn't need a contract signed by our clients. All we needed was a verbal agreement. We charged a fee of 30%, (1% per thousand). I would simply call a hiring manager with a candidate and obtain a verbal commitment that if the candidate were hired by the company, the company would pay our fee.

Then, I mailed the fee agreement to the company. No need to sign. I had your word. If you wanted to hire our candidate, you agreed to our terms.

Then, about ten years ago, everyone wanted a contract. So, we obliged. Sign here. Ok, good to go. 

Now clients are presenting their own contracts.  Since it is our service, and we are providing that service to the company, it is a strange request. I'm surprised that recruiting firms go along.

Let's say I had