When a recruiter finds a qualified candidate, they’ll generally interview them over the phone. If the candidate passes muster, the recruiter will present the candidate to their client company. Sometimes the recruiter will even tell the candidate who that company is.

That’s all great and exactly what you want to happen in your job search. But sometimes the recruiter doesn’t get back in touch with you.

What now? That’s a question that I’m often asked by my clients. The answer is, don’t go behind the recruiter’s back directly to their client company. You need to work through the recruiter. However, if at some point the recruiter has informed you that they will absolutely not be presenting you to the company, what have you got to lose?

Well, the relationship with the recruiter and they can be incredibly helpful in a job search. You’ll have to weigh the pros and cons including your chances of success landing the position on your own versus the likelihood of not being able to work with that recruiter again.