Why recruiters shouldn't give out their clients name on the first call

Contingent Recruiters: Here are a few good reasons why you should NEVER give out the name of your client during the first call in recruiting:

• Once you start answering questions rather than asking – you are no longer guiding the discussion.
• There is absolutely NO REASON for the person you are speaking with to need that information.
• You may be talking to the CEO of your clients biggest customer – and it might not look so good for your client. It WILL get back to you.
• Most of the time they just ask who you are recruiting for so they can then tell all their friends “I just got recruited by XYZ Company” as an ego boost and to look like a big shot.
• Many candidates (still) feel that working through a recruiter is one strike against them due to the fee associated with hiring. They feel strongly that if they bypass the recruiter their chances will be greater without the associated recruiting cost. Often times this is true.
• Many people you call already have a favorite recruiter. Why in the world would you want to give that person (the recruiter) your hard-earned client’s name? It is fairly common to receive emails from candidates and people I’ve placed letting me know they just heard about a particular job from another recruiter.
• If the candidate is not interested in at least exploring other opportunities – or a deeper phone discussion with you – there is simply no reason to divulge your client name. Period.
• Your clients expect you to NOT go around announcing it to the world. It is commonly understood that your approach within their competitors will be discreet and confidential.

These are just the ones that came to mind right off the bat. I’m sure there are hundreds more……

Source: Internet