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Re:Ask HN: Are Indeed, LinkedIn the go-to places for explori... by Nextgrid on Tuesday November 30, 2021 @11:25AM (#29393848)
That's a very good question I don't think I have a straightforward answer to. I built my network over time by using LinkedIn suggestions - the more recruiters you connect with the more it will recommend, and now I occasionally get new connection requests from recruiters which I approve if they're relevant to my industry/skills and aren't from the first category.

I guess I would just throw a few names out there and let you build from there. Disclaimer: I haven't worked with them enough to say they are truly exceptional, but at least they're not from the first category and actually have decent roles:

* La Fosse Associates

* Opus Recruitment Solutions

* Austin Fraser

* Gathered and Found (never heard of this one but got recommended it by someone just now)

Connect with a few people from each, have a few calls and go from there.

Re:Ask HN: Are Indeed, LinkedIn the go-to places for explori... by Serverless_joe on Tuesday November 30, 2021 @01:13PM (#29395409)
Former 3rd party recruiter here, I loved meeting with candidates and hearing about what matters most to them before "pitching" them any opportunities. A good recruiter should learn more about who you are and your career goals before making any suggestions. I would say that is a good benchmark of a recruiter who cares and is not going to try and put a square peg in a round hole, so to speak...

*While I have met some downright bad recruiters in my time, I have also met some really great ones, so if anyone wants a connection to one LMK!

Re:Ask HN: Are Indeed, LinkedIn the go-to places for explori... by HeyLaughingBoy on Wednesday December 01, 2021 @01:08PM (#29407038)
Echoes my comment above. The guys I met from Aerotech took their time over a long lunch meeting to get to know me and what I valued in a company and where I wanted my career to go before looking for opportunities.

That said, I feel that recruiters work harder the farther along you are in your career. They make more as a percentage and they realized that experienced candidates likely have a larger network and will send them more referrals. It's a sales business, they're not stupid.

Re:Ask HN: Are Indeed, LinkedIn the go-to places for explori... by Serverless_joe on Tuesday December 07, 2021 @12:51PM (#29475808)
100%! Look for recruiters with longer tenure, bad sales people don't stick around...
Re:Ask HN: Are Indeed, LinkedIn the go-to places for explori... by HeyLaughingBoy on Wednesday December 01, 2021 @01:05PM (#29407011)
I'll add Aerotech to that list. They were friendly, took the time to get to know me, including taking me to lunch at a pretty nice place. And really worked to focus on the type of work I wanted to do. Would definitely engage again.