Re:Ask HN: Do You Ever Sign 'Exclusive Representation' Agree...
by shoo on Tuesday November 28, 2017 @03:56PM
(#15801513)
Personally, I've never needed to sign something restrictive with a recruiter before actually getting an offer. I've signed things far more restrictive after accepting an offer (non-competes, etc).
If you think working through a recruiter who requires that you sign something like this is your best option, and it's a lot better than any secondary options you have, then you may want to sign it.
If you do think you want to sign it, you could amend it before you sign (to dilute some of the constraints) and see what they do.
E.g. IANAL but you could try rewording:
replace
> __JOB_TITLE_HERE__ , San Francisco, CA
with
> __JOB_TITLE_HERE__ , __POTENTIAL_EMPLOYER_HERE__ , San Francisco, CA
You might also want to amend that and make the "exclusive right to present and represent me" clause expire after a short period (3 months?).
You might also want to amend the non-disclosure agreement to make it expire after some time period after you sign it (3 months? 6 months? 1 year).
Again, if you have no alternative to selling your labour through these recruiters, they might just say "no" to any amendments. If you would be a good fit for the employer and your skills/experience are in demand, you probably have a much better bargaining position.
If you think working through a recruiter who requires that you sign something like this is your best option, and it's a lot better than any secondary options you have, then you may want to sign it.
If you do think you want to sign it, you could amend it before you sign (to dilute some of the constraints) and see what they do.
E.g. IANAL but you could try rewording:
replace
> __JOB_TITLE_HERE__ , San Francisco, CA
with
> __JOB_TITLE_HERE__ , __POTENTIAL_EMPLOYER_HERE__ , San Francisco, CA
You might also want to amend that and make the "exclusive right to present and represent me" clause expire after a short period (3 months?).
You might also want to amend the non-disclosure agreement to make it expire after some time period after you sign it (3 months? 6 months? 1 year).
Again, if you have no alternative to selling your labour through these recruiters, they might just say "no" to any amendments. If you would be a good fit for the employer and your skills/experience are in demand, you probably have a much better bargaining position.