Is Working with BountyJobs Like Working with a Client?

Let me start with the fact that I am not using BountyJobs. My thoughts on this subject are based on  what others tell me, what I read and the posts I have seen on the topic. So if I have something wrong or I am missing an important point of view, please add to the conversation. The point is for all to learn from those who know the most.

BountyJobs as a Client  
Many newer firms, recruiters with less of a passion for recruitment client marketing, those making a move from pure staffing to direct hire placement, those whose market niche has dried up or maybe are in the process of changing niches, are the firms I hear are using BountyJobs with regularity. Maybe there are others or perhaps some other common reasons for using BountyJobs. Searching BountyJobs for jobs similar to client company jobs I am working might be a great way to use additional candidates located for my client company search that otherwise sit in my database. I can also see Bounty as an alternative to split fee placement. That is the niche I am involved in so again, warning! warning! I may not see all the facts that are more obvious to you.

I am told that due to the circumstances of how the client must engage with BountyJobs, the client contact and feedback from clients is not as strong as a direct client relationship; a bit obvious perhaps? I have also heard of situations where stronger relationships with a client were first built inside the Bounty model and the client and independent recruiter later engaged outside that model. So it can lead to a more traditional recruitment client relationship, but I have to assume that is very rare. Some client companies are using BountyJobs as their VMS (Vendor Management System). So the fact that a recruiter must engage in the Bounty model is just a clearer and more consistent way to engage with a VMS.  Instead of a VMS being run by a potentially competitive recruitment brand, the VMS is BountyJobs.

If your strength is search and you hate to do recruitment client marketing, collections and all the other aspects of a direct client relationship, then the BountyJobs model would appear to be a fit. Your speed and skill are rewarded in this model. Every day is a new day and lots of new opportunities are presented every week. The more transactions, the greater the reward.

BountyJobs is not a Client
More established firms with a process for attracting and retaining client company relationships tell me that they would drop a client that forced them to work via the Bounty model. Many recruitment firms expect a great level of client contact and control. In some cases the recruitment company continued the relationship despite the change, but found it too difficult to maintain the prior level of client engagement and eventually abandoned the effort. I am certain there are exceptions and other outcomes possible. It is apparent that when a committed client relationship turns into a competitive battle for the business, the recruiter impacted by the change will have a negative perspective on that shift. It is obvious that a change must have occurred for some reason and recruiter performance was likely to have been a contributing factor.

From those who do not see Bounty as a client, they tell me that they are unwilling to spend time on the most competitive of all recruitment assignments. That is how they view these opportunities.  They say that for the most competitive of their assignments to pay only a portion of a full fee is less than acceptable. I know many BountyJobs can pay a 25% fee and in some cases the percentage retained by Bounty can be minimized if certain conditions are met. These recruiters view Bounty as a job board for recruiters. They would never suggest to a quality candidate that they just post a resume on Monster and wait for success. Instead, they would coach any quality candidate to start by building a plan and then network to a perfect job and use the boards as a tool. They see the Bounty model as one tool but not a complete solution. They may use it, but would not be comfortable becoming dependent on it. They see submittals to these client openings as becoming comfortable with a “post and pray” model of recruitment.

Conclusions/Questions
So like most things in life, there is no one right answer and people’s points of view can differ considerably.

• What has your experience been with the BountyJobs model?
• Do you see many experienced recruiters using Bounty as a core source of business?
• Would you find it acceptable for a split fee partner to use a job posted on BountyJobs as an opening to share with you to fill on a split basis?
• Do you find clients moving toward or away from a VMS model, including BountyJobs and why?