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Permalink Reply by pam claughton on July 19, 2008 at 5:59pm

Simone,

I think it depends on your background. Is your experience agency side or corporate? If it's agency, then I'd say go for it, as you should have the experience to get clients easily and recruit for them. If your experience is corporate it will be more difficult because while there are similarities, the agency side requires more sales focus than corporate, getting new business especially.

If you're looking to start out, I'd also suggest you pick one geographic area and focus there rather than service the entire us...that is far more difficult. If you focus on one area you can build a deeper network more quickly and better serve your clients.

It's definitely more difficult to get going when the economy is in a downswing....the advantage though, if your background is agency and you are used to the sales piece is that more recruiters are getting out than getting in, so if you work really hard now, when things pick up again, you'll reap the benefits.

Also, in the tech world, we're not feeling the recession yet....so depending on your focus, business might be fine!

Good luck,
Pam

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Permalink Reply by Simone Yard on July 19, 2008 at 7:16pm

Hey Pam,

Thank you for the advice. I actually have over 6 years agency experience, two of those years were spent specifically tech recruiting. I am located in the NYC are so do you think I should focus on the try state are or the whole east coast. As you probaly know NY is flooded with recruiters.

Simone

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Permalink Reply by pam claughton on July 20, 2008 at 1:06pm

Hi Simone,

Every area is flooded with recruiters. :) NY is no more or less really. Do you have to work around a non-compete? If not, then you could start with some of your existing clients...if so, then just focus on getting a few good clients. You only need a handful of clients to be successful, especially if you're on your own...you might also try to hook up with a few other recruiters in your area that focus on your space to do splits with, that way you can leverage your candidates and job orders. If I were you I'd focus on the tri-state area, especially when starting out I think you have more credibility with new clients if you are local and can truthfully say you have an established referral network in the area you can draw on for candidates they don't have access to. If you do the whole East coast, you dilute your efforts and are starting from scratch with each search.

Hope that helps,
Pam

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Permalink Reply by Simone Yard on July 20, 2008 at 1:28pm

Hey Pam

That is very helpful, thanks so much for the advice, I am soo eager to get started. I am actually just leaving a position as an Advertising Consultant in New London, CT where I did very little recruiting, but I will be working around a non-compete :(.
I do have a Tech Job Board (smartechpeople.com) so I am hoping that will also give me an edge.

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Permalink Reply by Syd Kain at GlobalPitch.com on July 20, 2008 at 7:46pm

Everyone needs tech peeps. We aren't seeing any slow down. Sounds like you know the recruiting industry and the niche. It's a crowded space, but if you add value... you'll make it. Keep expenses super low for the first year.

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Permalink Reply by Ivan Stojanovic on October 10, 2008 at 12:26pm

Hi Simone,

Let us know: Have you started?

Thanks
Ivan | http://www.JobsBlog.ie

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Albright on October 10, 2008 at 1:58pm

Interesting - as I think about whether I could recommend to someone that now is a good time to start an agency - it makes me reflect on a few things myself.....

In a sense I need to start each week with the same enthusiasm and commitment that someone in Simone's position would. As has been seen here over the last few weeks - nothing is guaranteed!

As far as I am concerned - next Monday will require nearly the same amount of work from me as anyone else starting a firm right now. I've got to call companies that do not know me, present my services and hopefully find a manager that needs my help.

So would I start a tech recruiting firm right now? Sure. I have to start one next week myself!

Good luck Simone.

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Permalink Reply by Bell Jones on October 11, 2008 at 12:22am

Hi Simone,

Best wishes. I say go for it.

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Permalink Reply by Kalonji Mitchell on December 1, 2011 at 8:00pm

Well said. Wonderful perspective!!!

Jerry Albright said:

Interesting - as I think about whether I could recommend to someone that now is a good time to start an agency - it makes me reflect on a few things myself.....

In a sense I need to start each week with the same enthusiasm and commitment that someone in Simone's position would. As has been seen here over the last few weeks - nothing is guaranteed!

As far as I am concerned - next Monday will require nearly the same amount of work from me as anyone else starting a firm right now. I've got to call companies that do not know me, present my services and hopefully find a manager that needs my help.

So would I start a tech recruiting firm right now? Sure. I have to start one next week myself!

Good luck Simone.

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