But, if you give them guidelines, they can work well with you. If you're currently in the $150k range and you want to get to $200k but don't know how, talk to your local friendly recruiter over coffee. They'll even buy. As long as you're clear with them that you won't accept an offer for a penny less than <X>, they won't waste your time. They will also tell you if you have no chance of getting a job through normal means at that price range given your current skills and experience.
At least, most of the ones who are working for independent recruiting/placement firms that I've met hanging out here in Chicago will do that. YMMV elsewhere.
Certainly, if you just respond to the first recruiter who mails you after finding your resume via a random web search and industry-appropriate keywords, you'll get about what you put into it. If you're having trouble finding a reasonable one, either ask a friend or find them via your peers at companies you would like to work at on LinkedIn. Recruiters live there. And again, not the recruiters working for the company; try to hit up the independent ones if you want to have a lower-pressure conversation.
Those poor corporate recruiters are in a perpetual pressure cooker to fill their available headcount.
At least, most of the ones who are working for independent recruiting/placement firms that I've met hanging out here in Chicago will do that. YMMV elsewhere.
Certainly, if you just respond to the first recruiter who mails you after finding your resume via a random web search and industry-appropriate keywords, you'll get about what you put into it. If you're having trouble finding a reasonable one, either ask a friend or find them via your peers at companies you would like to work at on LinkedIn. Recruiters live there. And again, not the recruiters working for the company; try to hit up the independent ones if you want to have a lower-pressure conversation.
Those poor corporate recruiters are in a perpetual pressure cooker to fill their available headcount.