I fired off the link to Recruiters Suck rant to a recruiter trying hard to place me (just to point out it wasn't about him). He had a response ....

"I'm not your average IT Recruiter and certainly do not consider the practices outlined in your web page as professional, ethical or of any value in generating Business for my candidates....

"Although one point I'll make. We do need to get leads from candidates as this is a key way that we find out who is recruiting.....it's how it's done is the point. If I need leads, I ask for them from my candidates, I don't lie I'm honest. Have you guys thought about the fact that if you give me leads about whom may be recruiting you could well be helping one of your peer group secure a job and that works both ways....namely one of your industry peers may give me some info that may lead to YOU getting a good role...

But other than that, the article is actually true, the IT Recruitment industry is full of monkeys I'm afraid."

I pointed out that I'm objecting to it's the "Give me who you are interviewing with right now" questions, so they can try to swoop in and steal them, which of course makes me look unethical to the company I am interviewing with and to the recruiter that is trying to get me placed there, his reply was

I understand your viewpoint, in fact I agree with it. Just to say, although we are few, there are some ethical people out there who not only do the job for the money, but for the fact that helping good people find a job is the most satisfaction I've experienced in any workplace. The buzz you get by helping people in what is essentially their future and livelihood is why I do this job.

If more recruitment consultants took pleasure in this side of the job, as opposed to the dollar signs, the industry would be better for it!

I can't object to that!