Scenario:Some recruitment chap emails me about an opportunity with a "blue chip" company or a "financial institution".ORI find a role on a job website which looks good but is again for a "blue chip" company or a "financial institution".When I get back to either of these saying I really like the role and here is my LinkedIn profile but I am only keen to send my CV across if they name the company (and the company is one I am keen on). Is this too much to ask ? Most of the recruiters then get back to me saying send us your cv first, or lets talk on phone , we can't name our clients and so on. Wouldnt life be easier if they told me the name of the company and if I am interested I send them my CV and have a chat? Am i asking for too much here?

You could decide to apply directly and cut out the middle man, that's why they won't tell you the company's name

You could decide to apply directly and cut out the middle man, that's why they won't tell you the company's name

I do understand why they do it but why would I want to waste my time talking to them and sending my CV if its not a company I am interested in.

Would you happily share your list of current clients & engagements with me if I sent you an email asking for it?

No, Rastapopoulos, I wouldn't. Not because it's prized and personal, but because it isn't relevant.Asking the name of the company ***for whom I might work*** is not an unreasonable request.It can save us both a lot of time. I know for a fact that I won't work for Tata, PA, IBM, etc but I'll happily take a meeting with a Big 4.On the other hand, after a short conversation (or working with headhunters I know, or those who have approach me (as opposed to me approaching them)), I've never found a headhunter who wouldn't name his client.

Sadly a bit chicken and egg. As a recruiter I would certainly recommend utmost caution re sending out your CV: ideally talk to them and try and get a sense of how professional they are. Otherwise check this blog or Top consultant awards or friends. You could always make it clear in your email specific firms you definitely don’t want to work for or are already in touch with.Ultimately however the only point at which the have any commitment from you is if you send a CV. Even then my firm will want to find out more about you before either wasting their time or yours discussing a role and a client you might not be interested in or suited to: we prefer to invest this time up front for your benefit, ours and our clients. Even the worst firms won’t knowingly send your CV to your employer so don’t worry on that score. They will however send your CV to other employers without telling you hence the need for caution.A good firm will never send your CV anywhere without getting your permission.The other obvious reason of course is that the recruitment may be confidential so the recruiter may be unable to disclose it. One of our clients recently inserted a clause in its Agreement specifically barring its suppliers from disclosing their name.Chris is right: as regular view of these blogs will tell you recruiters are held in such low esteem that many potential candidates would feel quite justified in approaching their clients direct. We have had experience of this even AFTER they have registered with us.If they are a retained headhunter (a very rare minority of recruiters in MCS no matter what they might try and claim) they MAY tell you because if you apply direct the chances are your CV would simply be forwarded back to them!