ASK HN: Going around a tech recruiter
brk: So what is the issue if they are all over you?A good, effective recruiter can be of HUGE value when you're looking for a job.  They can help you better gauge salary range (and likelihood of the company extended the pay scale if you're top-notch but otherwise "unaffordable").While many companies will post jobs on their website as well, not many hiring managers actually like to screen through resumes.What you mostly have to determine though is if you're working with a quality head-hunter, or just someone who tries to find random personnel matches for random companies.Some questions to ask this, or any other recruiter:
Are they retained/exclusive for the search on this position?  For the company overall or at some level (all development jobs, etc)?How do you compare to other candidates they have submitted for the position?What kind of feedback have the other candidates received so far?Who else have they placed at the current company (I know you said this is a 3-person company)?Who else at the company have they placed in the past in other positions?Who do they know on the management team, and what is their relationship with those people?What can they tell you about the company beyond what is on the "About Us" page?