Avoid recruiters at all costs.

In my experience it's just a huge waste of time.
It's good if they even know what the job requires and what your skills are and whether that's even compatible.

I’m leaving a job not long after starting because the recruiter told me the role was completely different to what was advertised!

I've had those issues too. I have more success when I limit the recruiter to direct placement jobs only. Being a on the recruiters payroll and not on your actual development company's books sucks !

I've actually had a pleasant experience with recruiters, they didn't find me work for their clients; a) I'm young b) No education
But even if they weren't tech people, they could see in my portfolio I had experience, so they contacted other companies for me, not for profit but to help me, and they recommended me.
They also helped me write a better CV.

I didn't end up with a job through them in the end, because I had done some searching my self.

Correction: avoid recruiters who are non-specific, vague or cliched in their introduction. Good recruiters will verbally paint an accurate picture of you, to you, in their very first call. A shitty recruiter will sound like a telemarketer. Being aware of this when you’re approached by a recruiter can create a whole different experience :)