Learned a hard, interesting lesson today. As part of my research for a position, I was looking up info on the company I was applying to (through a recruiting company). I found news clippings, industry reviews, as well as resumes for past employees.

While doing this I apparently performed one of the biggest no-go’s that a job-hunter can engage in.

As part of my search I figured I’d drop the past employees a line and ask their experience. By and large it was positive, a good thing, and one of them put me in touch with a current employee so he could explain how things actually are (instead of past experience).

Apparently this is a big no-go, and I can now completely understand why. Not only was I circumventing the recruiting company, I was also going around the interview process, HR department, etc.

Granted, in my case it was innocent enough (I wasnt’ looking to get in contact with an existing employee); it could have cost me the job, cost the recruiting company a fine and had me blacklisted, potentially, by other recruiting companies.

Thankfully mine was understanding and explained everything to me, but still it was quite the ordeal.