Ask HN: What is your process for screening recruiters when they contact you?

[Cereal]

Hi, usually before accepting an interview I take following 2 steps: 1 - check the job offer (of they sent to me)

2 - ask to answer a set of questions to understand if It makes senso tinstart the selection process.

I would like to understand if you also use similar methods or do something else.

If you use a method like mine I would ask you what questions you usually ask and which interest you most.

[AnimalMuppet]

I maintain a list of "good" recruiters. I pull it out when I decide to look for a new job.

When a recruiter presents a job:

Am I actually interested in switching? If not, tell them to try back in six months. (But if it was actually an interesting job, note which recruiter brought it, and put them on the "good" list.)

Is the job even remotely in line with what I do? If not, tell them (the first time) what I do, and that this doesn't fit at all. If it's not the first time, they get screened out from here on. (If I remember who they are. I should keep a "bad" list as well as the "good" list.)

I have also put a recruiter on the "good" list for acting ethically. They were trying to get me for a job, found out that I was working for a client of theirs, and said that they couldn't recruit me from there. I was impressed. Yeah, I'll take their calls.

[codegeek]

You can filter out most recruiters by asking 2 questions upfront:

- What is the Salary Range ?

- Who is the employer ?

If they are wishy washy in revealing either one, tell them to pound sand especially if you are a good candidate and not desperate.