Some job seekers are paying thousands of dollars just to land an interview

February 12, 2026

TL;DR

"Reverse recruitment" involves job seekers paying recruiters to act as agents or matchmakers for employment.
This practice has surged due to a competitive job market, AI's impact on applications, and longer job search durations.
Services can cost thousands of dollars per month, with some firms also taking a percentage of the new hire's salary.
Reverse recruiters claim to cut job search times significantly and increase interview rates compared to online applications.
Concerns exist that this model could exacerbate job search inequality, disadvantaging those who cannot afford the fees.

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