You will want to treat the recruiter much like you would a confidante because the more the recruiter knows about you, the easier it will be for her to find the right position for you. Recruiters make great advisors and mentors. You can learn a great deal from their knowledge of companies currently hiring, their network of contacts, and their expertise in career planning. The recruiter makes his or her salary by successfully filling a position. Usually this means that some or all of the expenses incurred are the recruiter's responsibility.
Time is important to recruiters.
So is their relationships with employers. Be sure not to waste the recruiter's time or money by stringing a recruiter along if you are not really interested in a position. Also, this will maintain your positive regard with the search firm, and they may contact you many more times in the future about other opportunities. If you change jobs, keep the recruiters informed of your whereabouts. Once you make an initial contact with a search firm, do keep them informed if your status, location or job changes.