A couple scenarios for you as I am curious to view your opinions on some gray areas in recruting :

1.  If a candidate who works for one of your clients contacts you directly to inquire about a position he saw posted on your website, should you work with them?

2.  If a candidate is presented to you by one of your recruiting "split partners," and that candidate works for one of your clients, should we present them opportunities?

3.  Say you have on the "back burner" a client that you only present candidates to from time to time, but are never invited to really conduct searches for.  Is it okay to recruit from them?

4.  If I have a client who is a well respected firm in the industry, but have not placed anyone with them in over a year because they have not really given me any business, is it okay to source them?

Please let me know what your thoughts are on these scenarios.

Thank You.

1.  If a candidate who works for one of your clients contacts you directly to inquire about a position he saw posted on your website, should you work with them?

If the candidate who contacts you is actively looking for a job because he is completely miserable with his employer, who happens to be your client, then I think it is probably okay.  You have not recruited them, they came to you. They've got one foot out the door anyway, and if you can't help them someone else will.

2.  If a candidate is presented to you by one of your recruiting "split partners," and that candidate works for one of your clients, should we present them opportunities?

Because I consider my split partners an extension of my recruiting team, I would not work with any candidates who were recruited by any of my split partners if they were working for an existing client of mine.

3.  Say you have on the "back burner" a client that you only present candidates to from time to time, but are never invited to really conduct searches for.  Is it okay to recruit from them?

If they are a "back burner" client, that you should probably drop them altogether and rather make them a "front burner" source.  Some of my existing clients I put on the back burner from time to time for whatever reason, but they intent is to get them back up front again before too long, so I would not recruit from them.   But I hear you regarding true "back burner" firms, or what we also call "B", or even more likely, "C" clients.  They sign your agreement but they rarely give you any searches, or they string along candidates for so long, or they show no ability to make decisions.  On the flip side though, they are a very well respected company, and though they don't give out searches like you would like they ALWAYS accept good candidates from you.  I guess you really need to look at what your annual billings are realize if it is worth keeping them on as a client.  If it is not worth your time and effort, then by all means drop them and source them.

4.  If I have a client who is a well respected firm in the industry, but have not placed anyone with them in over a year because they have not really given me any business, is it okay to source them?

This kind of ties in with what I just talked about in my previous response...just drop 'em like its hot.