We are not really recruiters at all.  As research consultants, we're usually paid by the hour to find  " purple squirrels ".... very hard to find types of individuals with very specific kinds of experiences that only relate to very narrow professions or businesses.  Some search firms and recruiters utilize researchers to enhance their database and screen qualifications by using Boolean search techniques. The results of the search are then discussed with the senior recruiters and the researchers are asked to do the first screen to assess if they are still available and other information, such as salary expectations. It is important for you to reply to the researchers as if they were speaking to a prospective employer. Email and Voicemail communication should not be sloppy or relaxed. No spelling or abbreviations mistakes, as that could cause you to be eliminated even if you have the right credentials. We also use passive techniques to get into a company's website and find employees that are a match for the search firms openings.

If we are researchers for retained search firms or contingency search firms, we reactivate people from databases within the search firm and update records to facilitate networking.  We are paid a salary and a small bonus to help throughout the process.  We often "research" to get the names of competitors employees and then turn them over to the Search Consultant.  Lists are bought and consolidated by industry and within industry competitors are listed along with the major players.

You are just as glad that we found you, as we're glad to have found you.  There are a limited number of people that you could work for. Since there are a limited number of you, my job is to find you when we need you.