Some of the sheep have become wolves, perhaps even vultures. Operating much like bounty hunters, these recruiters apply a battery of incredible tactics to find prospective employees and reel them in. Hospital recruiters call extensions on the floor of competing hospitals, offering to pay whoever answers 20 percent more than their pay stub shows. Retailers shop the competition - for people. When they observe someone doing a good job, they offer them a position on the spot.
Employees quit impulsively and follow recruiters right out the door.
Hospitality recruiters visit other hotels and restaurants, handing out business cards to prospective employees. Information technology recruiters go to college campuses to find undergrads, not even waiting until students get their degrees. They're not working through the placement offices, you can be sure. Stories are circulating about recruiters getting hired by target companies so they can get inside to contact prospects. The more ethical recruiters will differentiate themselves through standards established and enforced by the emerging association of professional recruiters.