Understanding Recruiters: Who They Are, What They Do, and Why It Matters to You

Understanding Recruiters: Who They Are, What They Do, and Why It Matters to You

Let’s be honest—“recruiter” is one of those titles that gets tossed around like everyone knows what it means. But most students and early-career professionals don’t actually know how recruiters work, who they work for, or what role they play in the hiring process.

So let’s fix that.

Whether you're applying to internships, full-time roles, or just trying to make sense of how companies fill open jobs, here’s a breakdown of the three main types of recruiters you’re likely to encounter:

1. Corporate Recruiters (a.k.a. In-House Recruiters)

These recruiters work directly for a company. Think of them as part of the internal HR or talent acquisition team.

Who they serve:
Their employer (the company you’re applying to).

What they do:

• Write and post job descriptions

• Review applications and resumes

• Conduct initial interviews

• Coordinate with hiring managers

• Extend offers (and sometimes negotiate them)
  They live and breathe the culture of the company and are focused on long-term fit and organizational needs.

How they get paid:
Salary + occasional performance bonuses.

Why it matters to you:
If you’re applying directly on a company website or through LinkedIn, there’s a good chance your resume lands in their hands. They might reach out if your profile looks like a match—but they’re not scouring the internet to help you land your dream job. They’ve got jobs to fill, not careers to guide.

2. Contingent Recruiters (a.k.a. Third-Party, External, Staffing, or Agency Recruiters)

These recruiters don’t work for the hiring company—they’re hired by the company to find candidates, usually fast.

Who they serve:
Their client—the company that’s paying them if (and only if) they successfully fill the job.

What they do:

• Hustle to find candidates for active job openings

• Pitch your resume to hiring managers (sometimes multiple companies at once)

• Help coordinate interviews and offers

• Work quickly—because they only get paid if they win

How they get paid:
A commission—typically 15–30% of the candidate’s first-year salary. No hire, no paycheck.

Why it matters to you:
If a recruiter reaches out with an opportunity, they’re likely contingent. They have an incentive to move fast and present you to a client—but remember, their loyalty is still to the paying company, not you. Don’t expect deep coaching or career advice.

3. Retained Recruiters (a.k.a. Executive Search Firms or Headhunters)

These recruiters are brought in to fill high-level or specialized roles—think Director, VP, or C-level.

Who they serve:
The hiring company, usually on an exclusive basis.

What they do:

• Partner closely with leadership to define the role

• Research and identify potential candidates (often people not actively job hunting)

• Conduct in-depth interviews and assessments

• Manage a longer, more confidential search process

How they get paid:
Retainer fee + success fee (typically a percentage of the salary). They get paid regardless of when—or if—they fill the role.

Why it matters to you:
Unless you're already established in your field, you likely won’t interact with a retained recruiter until later in your career. But it’s still good to understand how they work—they’re the ones filling executive roles, not entry-level ones.

So… Will a Recruiter Help You Get a Job?

Maybe. But here’s the key:

Recruiters work for the company—not for you.

They may be helpful. They may reach out. They may even change your life with the right intro. But their job isn’t to be your coach or career counselor. Their job is to find a great candidate for a company’s open role. If that’s you—awesome. If not, they move on.

When Should You Engage with Recruiters?

• You’re job hunting in a specific industry or niche

• You’ve built a solid LinkedIn profile with clear skills and experience

• You want access to roles that aren’t publicly posted

• You’re actively networking and open to opportunities

Final Thought:

Navigating your career is like learning a new language—and recruiters are a part of the dialect. The more you understand how they operate, the more strategic you can be when they come calling.

And remember:
Recruiters get paid by companies.
Career coaches might get paid by companies or by you.
Resume writers? They get paid by you—because they work for you.

Stay tuned—I’ll be breaking down those other roles in upcoming posts.