Ask A Headhunter!

[EvilPaladin]

how many years must a person stay in his job before he is considered a job-hopper? (What is the average HR head's take on that?)

 

[ettenyl]

I will tell the client usually up front, what is the person's expected salary and leave it to the client if he wants to interview the guy after knowing the expected salary.

If the candidate loses the job interview due to his expectations, then too bad.
I will then try to find a company that is willing to pay his expected salary.

I usually won't negotiate with the candidate unless it is unrealistic (like 50% pay hike)

Usually i will send minimum 3 candidates to the client and let them decide

What is a realistic pay hike?
I went from $1900 (**** pay I know) to $2600 and now $2800 (third job). All the past jobs I stayed for about a year. I hold a comms degree.

 

[Darkzi0n]

Ask a noob question arh.

When company engage ur services does that mean they won't put up public notice of the job opportunity (on their website etc)?

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

this thread should seriously be stickied. good stuff all around.

so most important qn: what's your advice to job seekers on how to improve their chances of getting hired?

1) Don't be a job hopper
2) Be realistic in expectations
3) research on the company and interviewer (assuming you get shortlisted), can see their linkedin profiles, etc.
4) Understand the JD well and how it relates to your experience

Hi, I am looking for a finance job, where or which website should I be looking at ? Should I even place out myself with agencies?

efinancialcareers

Yes. But it is advisable not to work with more than 2 to 3 agencies, and only work with the reputable ones.

 

[peterblack]

So how much increase in pay should we be realistically be looking/asking at? Need to factor in any buffers for bargaining?
Looking for aviation leasing. Tks.

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

how many years must a person stay in his job before he is considered a job-hopper? (What is the average HR head's take on that?)

It really depends on a number of factors. Including longest stint.

Lets say if you work in 3 companies so far.

Company A, 4 years, company B, 6 months, company C, 2 years

Most HR people will not really think you are a job hopper.

But lets say you work company A, B and C all 2 years you will most likely be not labelled a job hopper.

Another important thing is reason for leaving each company.

If lets say the company close down obviously they won't label you a job hopper.

What is a realistic pay hike?
I went from $1900 (**** pay I know) to $2600 and now $2800 (third job). All the past jobs I stayed for about a year. I hold a comms degree.

depends on how long you stayed in your current company and what skills you bring to the table.

Typically it is about 10 to 15%

Ask a noob question arh.

When company engage ur services does that mean they won't put up public notice of the job opportunity (on their website etc)?

No they can do their own direct advertising at the same time

So how much increase in pay should we be realistically be looking/asking at? Need to factor in any buffers for bargaining?
Looking for aviation leasing. Tks.

factor in how suitable you are to the job. Another factor is the timing of the offer.

If you get an offer in Dec (assume you are employed) can ask for higher pay cos you will forgo your variable bonus. Compared to being employed in July.

 

[Velana]

Yes. But it is advisable not to work with more than 2 to 3 agencies, and only work with the reputable ones.

Which are the reputable ones???

big agencies like Talent2 and Robert Walters usually only look at local degree holders and Master degree holders who are looking to move up to senior management positions.

People like me, can only look at Kelly express etc.

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

Which are the reputable ones???

big agencies like Talent2 and Robert Walters usually only look at local degree holders and Master degree holders who are looking to move up to senior management positions.

People like me, can only look at Kelly express etc.

Not really.

Big companies like the ones you listed.

They look at experience. Not whether you have a degree from a local U or Masters.

 

[finclk82]

1) Don't be a job hopper
2) Be realistic in expectations
3) research on the company and interviewer (assuming you get shortlisted), can see their linkedin profiles, etc.
4) Understand the JD well and how it relates to your experience

I have more to add to this:
a) Don't bother spamming resumes and cover letters.
Quantity doesn't count. Spamming means one would just copy and paste information and send the same resume and cover letter to different companies. HR managers/Recruiters/Headhunters deal with hundreds of cover letters a day. The tendency is just to throw away your resume and cover letter.

So this means one has to choose carefully what he wants to apply for. Customize your resume and cover letter accordingly to the company you are trying to interview for. Means you need to do homework and understand about the company and history to mention something different in your coverletter and resume to stand out.

b) Make your cover letter and resume stand out.
Use numbers, use action words to demonstrate what was done, show results, quantify it if possible. HR managers read so much words until numbers would definitely stand out better.

For your cover letter, focus on the company, not on yourself. We have been taught previously that our cover letter should say what job we trying to apply for, highlight our accomplishments blah blah. Problem is everyone is doing that. To stand out from the crowd, i believe one has to write the cover letter in a way that's focused on the company and not yourself.

c) Work with credible Headhunters/Recruiters
To get the additional edge, work with good headhunters/recruiters. There are certain headhunting companies in my industry that i would never touch. Every industry have blacksheep headhunters, know them and steer clear of them.

 

[Jay Bee]

ok not related to headhunter but....

if a recruiter put me to a opening, then the coy is ready to hire, but moi huans more pay.....then tio reject will the recruiter dulan??

 

[dxdx999]

I have more to add to this:
a) Don't bother spamming resumes and cover letters.
Quantity doesn't count. Spamming means one would just copy and paste information and send the same resume and cover letter to different companies. HR managers/Recruiters/Headhunters deal with hundreds of cover letters a day. The tendency is just to throw away your resume and cover letter.

So this means one has to choose carefully what he wants to apply for. Customize your resume and cover letter accordingly to the company you are trying to interview for. Means you need to do homework and understand about the company and history to mention something different in your coverletter and resume to stand out.

b) Make your cover letter and resume stand out.
Use numbers, use action words to demonstrate what was done, show results, quantify it if possible. HR managers read so much words until numbers would definitely stand out better.

For your cover letter, focus on the company, not on yourself. We have been taught previously that our cover letter should say what job we trying to apply for, highlight our accomplishments blah blah. Problem is everyone is doing that. To stand out from the crowd, i believe one has to write the cover letter in a way that's focused on the company and not yourself.

c) Work with credible Headhunters/Recruiters
To get the additional edge, work with good headhunters/recruiters. There are certain headhunting companies in my industry that i would never touch. Every industry have blacksheep headhunters, know them and steer clear of them.

do recruiters actually bother reading cover letters?

i would guess that they spent like 30s to glance over your past employers, position, and then brief history before they chuck your resume into the 'ok' pile or the rubbish bin.

 

[LH0779]

ok not related to headhunter but....

if a recruiter put me to a opening, then the coy is ready to hire, but moi huans more pay.....then tio reject will the recruiter dulan??

guess both recruiter and the coy hiring manager will TL loh...

i encounter once, we offer, but candidate request more, end up we reject. can tell the recruiter a bit sim tia that this comm no more.

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

do recruiters actually bother reading cover letters?

i would guess that they spent like 30s to glance over your past employers, position, and then brief history before they chuck your resume into the 'ok' pile or the rubbish bin.

No. They do not read cover letters.

They just scan thru your cv in less than 2 minutes, and most important things they see is employment history and job responsibilities

ok not related to headhunter but....

if a recruiter put me to a opening, then the coy is ready to hire, but moi huans more pay.....then tio reject will the recruiter dulan??

Here's the thing.

A smart recruiter will be able to prevent this situation.

Lets say for example.

You say: your minimum expected salary is 10%, but your desired salary is 20%

The recruiter will go tell the client you are expecting 20% to 25%, but it is negotiable

Most likely the client, after interview, will negotiate and will come to a compromise of around 15 to 20%

Whereas a bad recruiter will simply do

You say your expected is 15% (they didn't break it down further)

They go tell their client it is 15% (Most likely the client will not pay exactly 15% but might be less)

 

[god_of_smallthings]

Do you know 80% of the recruitment industry next time will be phased out by artificial intelligence, facial cue recognition and data mining?

The only reason Google has not moved into your industry is because it is not profitable enuff

 

[BuiBui EDMWer]

got job intro for me bo?

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

got job intro for me bo?

Read initial post

 

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[yooooz]

In banking industry middle or back ofc but want to jump to a diff sector like shipping, oil and gas. Possible?

How about jumping to a different non banking role but do sales. Possible?

 

[yooooz]

How do I know if the headhunter I am speaking to is good? Any questions can ask to find out?

 

[Ask A Headhunter]

In banking industry middle or back ofc but want to jump to a diff sector like shipping, oil and gas. Possible?

How about jumping to a different non banking role but do sales. Possible?

1) Yes. In banks got a lot of different sectors. You can work in a sector which deals with Commodities or shipping for example. Then the transition is easier

How do I know if the headhunter I am speaking to is good? Any questions can ask to find out?

Who does he work with

What roles does he have currently

Who does he know in the market