Some weeks, a large number of recruiters contact me with very similar job descriptions, all very urgent requests for my attention.

At first glance, it looks like a lot of job openings with a lot of employers.

But look more closely and/or ask for the client’s name on each request.

Multiple inquiries for the same contract job all at once often represent a single contract job with a single employer under a tight deadline, usually a few days.

Why?

When a large company opens a contract job, they often put the job out to bid with multiple contracting agencies. All those agencies go to work quickly, hoping to win the contract. Within some large agencies, multiple recruiters often go to work on the same job, competing against each other.

What that means for candidates is that one can often choose which contracting agency and recruiter you want to represent you in the bid.

Or you can go with the first one to contact you. That seems fair too.

Whatever you decide, make sure you want to work with the recruiter and that agency. The recruiter will be your main point of contact and often becomes your contract supervisor if the contract is won.

What a candidate cannot do is submit yourself for the same contract job under multiple agencies. Only submit yourself under one, the one that is the best fit for you personally.

Meanwhile, make note of the employer’s name, because you are likely to see them do this again with their contract positions.

Hope that helps anyone new to the contracting game!