Learned a LinkedIn Lesson

PatchTuesday

PatchTuesday

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So last week I get approached by a recruiter on LinkedIn asking if I'm interested in a job opportunity that's come up for one of their clients. Apparently I fit the profile hence them reaching out.

Curious to see where it goes, I reply and so the process goes. After going back and forth for 4 days, I actually upgraded my CV after all these years to a more hip format lol, they finally ask the question what is my salary expectation. I give them a figure and it goes radio silent. After about a day or so I get asked if we can discuss the figure, to which I say sure, call me at XYZ time. I get the call and ask if its flexible at all because the client has an upper ceiling cap. I go on to say everything in life is negotiable and end the call on a seemly positive end. Then Radio silence again.

Today I get the textbook email to say they've decided to pursue other candidates blah blah blah.
I am a bit salty but not for the reason you think. I should have responded - What is the Salary Band for this opportunity?
So lesson learned and I got an updated CV out of it. We live and learn I guess
 
They see you are from SA and the exchange rate is bad so they chance their luck and were surprised you asked for that much.
 
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Wait until a recruiter asks for your CV and before you speak again you are already being rejected by companies you've never heard of.
 
skimread said:
They see you are from SA and the exchange rate is bad so they chance their luck and we're suprised you asked for that much.
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I really think that's the case. They want to pay cents on the rand.
Its cool though, they can get what they pay for
 
animehero said:
I really think that's the case. They want to pay cents on the rand.
Its cool though, they can get what they pay for
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Recruiters are like real estate agents. They want bargains they can easily sell so they can get their 10 - 50% commission. Price yourself fairly and they can't justify their commission. That's why they often ask do you know anyone else looking for a job.
 
skimread said:
Recruiters are like real estate agents. They want bargains they can easily sell so they can get their 10 - 50% commission. Price yourself fairly and they can't justify their commission. That's why they often ask do you know anyone else looking for a job.
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That's not really correct. Recruiters are trying to match candidates to the requirements of their client which includes matching the expectations in terms of salary on both sides. They should have guidance from the client on what they expect to pay and they know what your expectations are so if they put your CV forward and it is rejected purely on the grounds of salary expectations then the parameters haven't been properly qualified up front somehow.

In terms of what you're saying in terms of looking for a bargain and commission doesn't make sense as, on the face of it, the recruiter gets paid more if they get the candidate a higher salary. Also 10-50% is a crazy spread for commission. Plus/minus 20% probably more realistic for white/grey collar work. 50% would really only fly if you were doing low cost labour on short engagements so the recruiter would need a high margin to make it worthwhile. Dropping below about 15% without a really tangible return benefit is going to put the recruiter on shaky ground in terms of maintaining a sustainable career or business - simply relying on undercutting your competitor is a pretty fast route to failure in that industry.

Asking if you know anyone else is just networking. It's not a bad strategy to employ versus simply trawling LinkedIn like everyone else.

Don't get me wrong, the barrier for entry to the recruitment industry is low and the standard of many recruiters reflects that. That said, what I've written above is true of how it is supposed to work and of how some in the industry practice
 
animehero said:
So last week I get approached by a recruiter on LinkedIn asking if I'm interested in a job opportunity that's come up for one of their clients. Apparently I fit the profile hence them reaching out.

Curious to see where it goes, I reply and so the process goes. After going back and forth for 4 days, I actually upgraded my CV after all these years to a more hip format lol, they finally ask the question what is my salary expectation. I give them a figure and it goes radio silent. After about a day or so I get asked if we can discuss the figure, to which I say sure, call me at XYZ time. I get the call and ask if its flexible at all because the client has an upper ceiling cap. I go on to say everything in life is negotiable and end the call on a seemly positive end. Then Radio silence again.

Today I get the textbook email to say they've decided to pursue other candidates blah blah blah.
I am a bit salty but not for the reason you think. I should have responded - What is the Salary Band for this opportunity?
So lesson learned and I got an updated CV out of it. We live and learn I guess
Click to expand...
Do you work at any SOE or government?
 
I always ask for what they expect to pay up front, unless I know that the company can afford me and is aware what someone like me is paid (so, usually only top companies in my same industry).

The better recruiters these days include the range in the subject line. It cuts out so much BS.
 
I've had something similar lately. My title changed recently and all of a sudden I seem to be in demand on LinkedIn.
Anyway, I'm minding my own business and people contact me, asking me for my CV, asking me to come meet the team, see the offices, etc but they do not want to share anything salary related. What is the point? If you come to me you need to entice me over.
 
I got this today.
1665796838906.png

Finance companies usually put something in the subject line. Most others put it in the message.

A big game company sent me this (started with an E, ends with an A), when I asked (I actually only responded because I was asking for a friend in the industry):

1665797345469.png
This is nuts, but at least, I could give them my expectations, and see if it's in the ballpark. I didn't bother though.
 
The first mistake they make is asking me for my CV…because LinkedIn is my CV.

When someone comes out of nowhere asking me if I want to work for them and not the other way around I take my current package + 40% and the rest is up to them.

No interviews or anything without numbers up front.
 
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