Career Advice

·

Last updated August 26, 2026

Can You Hire an Executive Recruiting Firm to Manage Your Job Search?

TL;DR: Traditional executive recruiters work for employers, not candidates — understanding this distinction matters before you pay anyone.

Retained vs. contingency recruiters

Both are paid by the hiring company, not by you, and can't be "hired" by a candidate to represent them the way a lawyer or agent would.

What candidate-paid services actually do

Services marketed to job seekers (like resume writing, career coaching, or managed application execution) are a different category — make sure you understand exactly what you're paying for.

Want this handled for you?

CareerRep's Active Career Representation takes the execution off your plate — resume, outreach, and interview prep included.

See Beta Pricing

Site Directory

Resume & Job Search Services by City & Profession (201)
Career Advice & Interview Prep Articles (271)