Hello,

I applied through a recruiter for a position he was posted (he doesn’t mention the name of the company then) I sent him my cv and he called me and said he spoke with his client and he is interested and sent me their form to fill and I sent it back he then told me he will fix an interview with his client.

Couple of days later, I saw the same job advertised directly by the company (his client)?

I really like this job and I feel I could be a good fit.

I don't find it ethical to apply directly again knowing that he told me the name of the company and gave me their application form to fill?
But I am afraid that maybe they disagree about the fees and I will not have this job? What do you think the best to do?

I wouldn't hesitate to contact the company directly unless you signed a contract saying you wouldn't. I wouldn't mention the recruiter. Nothing unethical on your part (unless it's in your contract).
The recruiter has the date and time stamp proving he spoke with you first so he gets his fee. That is, if the company proceeds ethically. The fee is typically 6 months salary, and some will go around the contract and figure out how to hire without paying. Not your concern.

I wouldn't hesitate to contact the company directly unless you signed a contract saying you wouldn't. I wouldn't mention the recruiter. Nothing unethical on your part (unless it's in your contract).
The recruiter has the date and time stamp proving he spoke with you first so he gets his fee. That is, if the company proceeds ethically. The fee is typically 6 months salary, and some will go around the contract and figure out how to hire without paying. Not your concern.

Thank you for your reply. No I didn't sign any contract, but I am really confused why a company said to him they are interested in having an interview with me and then two days later they post themselves the position on different recruiters websites? They already have my cv and application form and I am sure that they were very interested! Is it possible that they disagree in one way so that may affect my job application?

Two days isn't enough time to make changes to other contracts with other recruiters.
Besides, they may be very happy to interview you but may also want to see who else applies.
Try not to get all anxious about any of this. It's standard. Just do your best, be positive and confident, and present yourself as the best person for the job and they are the best company in the world, and you will be fine.

Once the company has your name, it would be unethical of you to apply directly. Which may work against you.

As far as seeing it posted by another recruiter, you have no idea when they contacted the other recruiter. They may have had the listing even longer and decided to push on it. It does not necessarily mean that their interest in you has changed,

By all means contact your recruiter and ask about it.

I don't agree that it is unethical to contact the company directly.
BUT
You say you saw an ad posted by the company, but later you say you saw it on other recruiters' sites. If you mean that your recruiter didn't mention the company name at first, and the other recruiter sites did, then of course you don't contact the company directly. They obviously don't want direct contact. That's why they are paying a huge fee to the recruiter who filters applicants for them.

I don't agree that it is unethical to contact the company directly.


If your resume is presented to a company by a recruiter and you are aware that they saw your resume, then you contact the company directly, that certainly is unethical. That's the situation the OP presented.

If your resume is presented to a company by a recruiter and you are aware that they saw your resume, then you contact the company directly, that certainly is unethical. That's the situation the OP presented.

I would agree if the company hadn't advertised directly. But if a company does advertise, it implies that they don't have any exclusivity terms with the recruiter, and it's an open game.

I now have a feeling that the company did not advertise directly, but through other recruiters only. In that case I agree now that to contact them would not only be detrimental to possibly getting the job, but also unethical.

I don't agree that it is unethical to contact the company directly.
BUT
You say you saw an ad posted by the company, but later you say you saw it on other recruiters' sites. If you mean that your recruiter didn't mention the company name at first, and the other recruiter sites did, then of course you don't contact the company directly. They obviously don't want direct contact. That's why they are paying a huge fee to the recruiter who filters applicants for them.

I saw it on both, on company's website and on several recruiters’ websites. And they even mentioned a key contact person from the company. I am wondering how these recruiters will get paid if they mentioned the company name and the key person in charge of the recruiting?

I guess I should contact my recruiter anyway.

I thank everybody for answering.

Now I would say contact both of them. Contacting the company gives you a chance to say how eager you are to work for them, and just remind them that you first went to the recruiter.

It's unusual for a company to work directly and through recruiters. What's going on is anybody's guess.

Now I would say contact both of them. Contacting the company gives you a chance to say how eager you are to work for them, and just remind them that you first went to the recruiter.

It's unusual for a company to work directly and through recruiters. What's going on is anybody's guess.

Actually that's not so unusual in these days. Many companies have a careers page on their website where they routinely post listings because it doesn't cost anything.

I don't see a problem if the OP contacts the company for a follow up and mentions that he is working with the recruiter. But I still maintain that, for a candidate who has already had his resume submitted by a recruiter or agency and then contacts the company directly as a new applicant is being unethical. I'm not even comfortable with following up directly, but that's me.