Sounds like you could probably vet recruiters/opps a bit more heavily. You have to place your chips on the best bets and screen aggressively to make sure there's a mutual fit. You can hang up on them quickly if things don't seem right.
This. I'm at a point where I can get the feel for a third party recruiter, especially on whether they can sell me to a hiring manager with whom they have a personal relationship with.
Those are the third party recruiters you want to work with. They are pretty rare though.
Before you take a call, make sure they have done their homework and are presenting a role that is the right fit for you. If they won’t tell you the company or basic information through email, throw them out — they’re not acting in good faith. On the call, cut right to the chase and ask for salary range and what the role will actually entail. They should tell you. Make sure they have a specific hiring manager in mine. A targeted role will be more promising than a general one.
