Can a client request multiple recruiters to search for candidates for one position without your knowledge?

Answer 1

Not only can a company request multiple recruiters to search for the one position, it is the assumption that they always have more than one recruiting firms looking to fill the same position. Further more, you can also assume that they have posted the same job on their company web site and several others. There is none or little cost to them to explore as many routes as possible, and in case you found a candidate for them, they will tell you the candidate is already in their database.

It takes a lot of respect, trust and nurturing of relationship before a company is willing to be exclusive. It takes time and efforts but exclusivity does happen.

Best wishes.

Answer 2

Yes they can. They is no rule/law that you can not open up with multiple recruiters. Its the job of the "client" to find the best candidate for the position. It don't matter from where. Its a small touch of "discrimmination" of others that may be fully qualified for a position and was not selected because of a "polictical" attributions. Even though this does happen. No manager or HR person is going to put it on paper that they will only recruit from one source due to contractual agreement

Answer 3

If I understand the question correctly, you are an outside recruiter and you are wondering if your client, an employer, has contracted several people like yourself to locate candidates for a single job.

If that understanding is corrent, the answer lies in your agreement with the employer. If there is nothing written, then the employer can do whatever they want. Based on my own experiences in HR, I honestly doubt any employer would knowingly sign away their right to tap other recruitment sources.