Headhunter spiel - true or BS?

[c1000]

I recently had coffee with a headhunter. He highlighted that he earns a commission based on the salary of candidates he placed and then he bluntly said "I'm sure you will have applied for positions at various places. If your record is sitting in some system and I reach out to that employer, they will avoid you altogether to avoid confusion and I certainly won't earn a commission. So as not to waste everyone's time, you will need to let me know where you have applied for any positions previously."

Is this really accurate? I don't feel comfortable at all divulging everything I've done.

[Beanieskis]

I recently had coffee with a headhunter. He highlighted that he earns a commission based on the salary of candidates he placed and then he bluntly said "I'm sure you will have applied for positions at various places. If your record is sitting in some system and I reach out to that employer, they will avoid you altogether to avoid confusion and I certainly won't earn a commission. So as not to waste everyone's time, you will need to let me know where you have applied for any positions previously."

Is this really accurate? I don't feel comfortable at all divulging everything I've done.

No don't believe them. This is a way of them finding out where there may be live jobs. If you tell them where you've applied they will then find another candidate with a CV similar to yours, to send over for that role you've already applied for - increasing your competition. An easy response from you is to request that instead the recruiter tell you before they send your CV anywhere - and that you will confirm if you're happy with them sending it.

[huja]

I recently had coffee with a headhunter. He highlighted that he earns a commission based on the salary of candidates he placed and then he bluntly said "I'm sure you will have applied for positions at various places. If your record is sitting in some system and I reach out to that employer, they will avoid you altogether to avoid confusion and I certainly won't earn a commission. So as not to waste everyone's time, you will need to let me know where you have applied for any positions previously."

Is this really accurate? I don't feel comfortable at all divulging everything I've done.

Fuck that guy!

[Elefant&Castle]

I recently had coffee with a headhunter.

This guy? Avoid like the plague...

[JAherbert]

I have a nice bridge to sell you........ of course NO!

[SonicYouth1]

I recently had coffee with a headhunter. He highlighted that he earns a commission based on the salary of candidates he placed and then he bluntly said "I'm sure you will have applied for positions at various places. If your record is sitting in some system and I reach out to that employer, they will avoid you altogether to avoid confusion and I certainly won't earn a commission. So as not to waste everyone's time, you will need to let me know where you have applied for any positions previously."

Is this really accurate? I don't feel comfortable at all divulging everything I've done.

This true though and it depends on the situation. If I'm speaking to the hiring manager on a candidate who has already applied or speaking to someone else in the team such as a friend referral I wouldn't necessarily push that candidate as I wouldn't have ownership. But usually this ownership lasts 1 year from when you/headhunter applies on your behalf.

[FrancisX]

It's a headhunter. BS is the language they use.

Including if it's one of these (tied to another thread)

[freeier]

I am not a HH, but in general for those fast moving market hirings, the HH need to be that one that put in your CV to earn the commission he is entitled to. So if someone else already submitted your CV he won't get a claim on that commission so he won't push for you.

But what is said is also true, be the one that control where your CV goes to. Don't let anyone float your CV around without your permission. Some bad HH will do that once they get their hand on your CV...

[cookie09]

and just to supplement the above, there's headhunters who work on a retained basis and fixed fees (i.e. more senior roles). you might like that more depending on the seniority you have

[redslert]

Half truth.

Employer would naturally avoid paying commission if possible.
I think some senior roles are 3-months of total comp, including any starting bonus/stock buyout etc.