Ask A Headhunter!

[Ask A Headhunter]

WHy these 2? Mind elaBorating?
And is the drop out rate for first time recruiters high?

Because

1) Fairly stable client base
2) You will most likely start out with only candidate management and not client management
3) Fairly good branding

I won't say drop out rate is high, it is as high as any sales related job in Singapore

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

Hi HH.. Hv u any idea what the prospects of underwriter are? Tks.

Actually being an underwriter has fairly good prospects. Not top tier in terms of prospects within insurance (that belongs to Actuaries) but people are still in demand by many companies.

You must however, also see what product range you cover within underwriting as some such as property and casualty or marine are more in demand than others.

Is there such thing as HH for public service jobs?

No. Because public services only engage HH for extremely senior management roles, whereas for private sector they engage HH for low, mid to senior roles.

Hello HH,

A friend of mine in a job of about $200-300K per annum range. His approach when any HH calls him is not to disclose his exact salary but instead asks the HH how much the coompany willing to pay for his experience in that position. His argument is the pay package of a job should based on individual experience and seniority of that position and nothing to do with his current package.

You think this is the logical approach ???

Nope. Because very often, once again there is "internal equity"

Then there are the push and pull factors.

From his case, it seems like he does not have much push factors, so often it is more difficult to justify asking a company to hire someone like him.

Thirdly, the companies "budget" is often flexible.

Hi HH,

Is the restraint of trade clause in employment letters enforceable in SG?

For instance, the clause states I cannot join another company within the same industry within 12 months from resignation/termination.

Yes it is enforceable, but only if you are dealing with highly sensitive data (such as data of clients which you will potentially bring over to your new company who is a direct competitor) and not general knowledge of the industry.

 

[ralfale]

Nope. Because very often, once again there is "internal equity"

Then there are the push and pull factors.

From his case, it seems like he does not have much push factors, so often it is more difficult to justify asking a company to hire someone like him.

Thirdly, the companies "budget" is often flexible.

Don't get it. Why candidate no push factor hard for hiring company to justify? If company really wants him shouldn't they make the pull factor more attractive?

Thanks.

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

Don't get it. Why candidate no push factor hard for hiring company to justify? If company really wants him shouldn't they make the pull factor more attractive?

Thanks.

The reason is because, in most companies, things are messy (it is just about how messy it is)

Salary is often only a small consideration at mid to senior levels.

And the hiring company does not want the candidate to suffer a "shock" after joining them

 

[darkelf]

Because

1) Fairly stable client base
2) You will most likely start out with only candidate management and not client management
3) Fairly good branding

I won't say drop out rate is high, it is as high as any sales related job in Singapore

what is the difference between candidate management and client management?

what is the typical scenario your manager will take if you are not able to meet the kpi?

 

[villan]

For first job, it is far more important to be in the right job scope, rather than whether the company is a MNC or SME.

Working in the wrong job scope in MNC is worse than working in the right job scope in SME

preferred jobscope or preferred industry?

how easy/difficult is it to move from one industry to another (same jobscope)?

 

[akimoto_emi]

preferred jobscope or preferred industry?

how easy/difficult is it to move from one industry to another (same jobscope)?

i think more is about the preferred job scope cos industry to what i see is not really that important but rather do you prefer your job scope cos you got to go to work daily.

 

[newstranger]

so fresh grad needs to work in correct job scope regardless of sme or mnc.

so intern also needs to work in the job scope they want. or can work in other functions to get some office exp....like is admin work in hr ever counted as positive exp for non hr future?

 

[dravidan]

is it a must to put my house address on resume?

got a few cold calls that ask for resume but never get back, wondering if just collecting data for insurance agents cos i started receiving sms about same time.

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

so fresh grad needs to work in correct job scope regardless of sme or mnc.

so intern also needs to work in the job scope they want. or can work in other functions to get some office exp....like is admin work in hr ever counted as positive exp for non hr future?

It is not a matter of correct or not, but more of whether you are interested in the role or not.

But internship wise, it doesn't really matter, probably more important to be in the same industry if possible, but it is not a key requirement

is it a must to put my house address on resume?

got a few cold calls that ask for resume but never get back, wondering if just collecting data for insurance agents cos i started receiving sms about same time.

Not required.

 

[flowerpot_cat]

Hi TS,

Thanks for starting this thread.

I was working in govt sector previously for 2+ years and went to healthcare sector because the hiring manager offered better working hours and higher compensation based on my prev exp.
However the job was a mismatch and the working hours was not the same as what was discussed during interview. So I left after 8 months (and spent a good 4 months while in the job trying to find a new job). During this period I had a few interviews...

Company A: Interviewer recognise that I will be able to add value to the team but compensation offered is $1k lower than was last drawn. Interviewer offered the job but counselled me against taking up at such a drastic drop unless I have a very compelling reason. Is this true? Will subsequent employers view me negatively? I had many agencies/hr asking why am I willing to take a pay drop of $300-500.

Company B: Interviewer remarked that I have not worked in an environment where I will need to prove my monetary value to the company. Not advisable for me to continue to seek a role with a company largely driven by sales figure, even though I was not there for a sales role. Should I heed this advise?

Company C: Offered the job a month ago. But disappeared suddenly. Asked the HR she gave me vague reasons like pending management approval. Received call last week to ask if I'm still keen they will arrange for another interview...but no sound no picture again. Should I ask them again?

Sorry for the many questions... Thanks for taking your time to read this

 

[newstranger]

It is not a matter of correct or not, but more of whether you are interested in the role or not.

But internship wise, it doesn't really matter, probably more important to be in the same industry if possible, but it is not a key requirement

oh i dun really mind any job as long as helps with my career. so having that firm's name on my resume while doing admin job is helpful or i should network in the firm.

1. wait for finance internship
2. try any internship
3. take admin job

 

[gerald91]

Hi HH,

I had tender my resignation with my current company and serving one month notice currently. I have also signed a employment letter with the next company I'm joining. I Would like to know whether isit possible for this company to reject me despite I had already signed the employment letter?

One of my colleague told me of such cases ( i don`t know if he is trying to scare me )

Thank you

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

Hi HH,

I had tender my resignation with my current company and serving one month notice currently. I have also signed a employment letter with the next company I'm joining. I Would like to know whether isit possible for this company to reject me despite I had already signed the employment letter?

One of my colleague told me of such cases ( i don`t know if he is trying to scare me )

Thank you

Yes they can. Provided you fail certain things

Like medical checkup or background check for example

Sent from Sony D6653 using GAGT

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

oh i dun really mind any job as long as helps with my career. so having that firm's name on my resume while doing admin job is helpful or i should network in the firm.

1. wait for finance internship
2. try any internship
3. take admin job

All 3 are fine actually. Although 1 is most advantageous but better to have internship than no internship ultimately

Sent from Sony D6653 using GAGT

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

Hi TS,

Thanks for starting this thread.

I was working in govt sector previously for 2+ years and went to healthcare sector because the hiring manager offered better working hours and higher compensation based on my prev exp.
However the job was a mismatch and the working hours was not the same as what was discussed during interview. So I left after 8 months (and spent a good 4 months while in the job trying to find a new job). During this period I had a few interviews...

Company A: Interviewer recognise that I will be able to add value to the team but compensation offered is $1k lower than was last drawn. Interviewer offered the job but counselled me against taking up at such a drastic drop unless I have a very compelling reason. Is this true? Will subsequent employers view me negatively? I had many agencies/hr asking why am I willing to take a pay drop of $300-500.

Company B: Interviewer remarked that I have not worked in an environment where I will need to prove my monetary value to the company. Not advisable for me to continue to seek a role with a company largely driven by sales figure, even though I was not there for a sales role. Should I heed this advise?

Company C: Offered the job a month ago. But disappeared suddenly. Asked the HR she gave me vague reasons like pending management approval. Received call last week to ask if I'm still keen they will arrange for another interview...but no sound no picture again. Should I ask them again?

Sorry for the many questions... Thanks for taking your time to read this

Company A - yes

Company B - yes. Not everyone can adapt to a sales environment which is extremely fast paced.

Company c - did they give you the offer in writing or just verbal? Maybe they got headcount freeze?

Sent from Sony D6653 using GAGT

 

[flowerpot_cat]

Company A - yes

Company B - yes. Not everyone can adapt to a sales environment which is extremely fast paced.

Company c - did they give you the offer in writing or just verbal? Maybe they got headcount freeze?

Thanks for your quick reply!

For company C it was a verbal, and the HR was discussing the pay package with me. I was not told that there would be a 2nd interview... When they again last week, they say their HR will arrange for the interview. I had already 'gave up' on waiting after 3 weeks of waiting until they called me again >.< It is a current position in the company, the position from what I understand, is an essential role to keep operations running. So it cannot be headcount freeze.......
In fact I am very hopeful for this position because it feels like the 'best fit' amongst all the interviews/applications I have made so far.

Regarding the pay issue, for my 2 years in govt service I had secured very high increments due to good performance. When I moved on to the next job, I was given increment as well. However looking at my own experiences(which you have also mentioned in other posts that govt sector exp are not so relevant) and 'market rate' for my skills, I'm not too sure if I should still stand firm to the asking salary...

Very confused right now because I have been looking for suitable job for the past 5+ months its either a salary issue or the potential employers think I would behave like a 'typical civil servant' which drags their feet at work based on their past bad experiences on hiring ppl from govt sectors.

 

[villan]

Thanks for your quick reply!

For company C it was a verbal, and the HR was discussing the pay package with me. I was not told that there would be a 2nd interview... When they again last week, they say their HR will arrange for the interview. I had already 'gave up' on waiting after 3 weeks of waiting until they called me again >.< It is a current position in the company, the position from what I understand, is an essential role to keep operations running. So it cannot be headcount freeze.......
In fact I am very hopeful for this position because it feels like the 'best fit' amongst all the interviews/applications I have made so far.

Regarding the pay issue, for my 2 years in govt service I had secured very high increments due to good performance. When I moved on to the next job, I was given increment as well. However looking at my own experiences(which you have also mentioned in other posts that govt sector exp are not so relevant) and 'market rate' for my skills, I'm not too sure if I should still stand firm to the asking salary...

Very confused right now because I have been looking for suitable job for the past 5+ months its either a salary issue or the potential employers think I would behave like a 'typical civil servant' which drags their feet at work based on their past bad experiences on hiring ppl from govt sectors.

whats ur asking salary? what function are you in?
if you only have X years of exp, the co. will only pay X amount worth of $.....internal equity ect

eg.if someone in the co,same position, same number of yrs of exp is being paid 4k...no way they will pay u 6k just becos ur last drawn was 6k

 

[lawlerpops]

They say first job is important because it sets the base point for your salary because when jump next job will compare with your job and raise accordingly.

Is that true?

 

[flowerpot_cat]

whats ur asking salary? what function are you in?
if you only have X years of exp, the co. will only pay X amount worth of $.....internal equity ect

eg.if someone in the co,same position, same number of yrs of exp is being paid 4k...no way they will pay u 6k just becos ur last drawn was 6k

healthcare related marketing/generalist also able to perform office administration functions and balancing of accounts.
last drawn is almost $4k. Asking $3.5k, but seemingly need to go even lower...

3+ years of work exp, not counting past contract/temp/PT