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Ask A Headhunter

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Dear HH,

If I were to go through say, recruit express and secure a permanent job, how would recruit express earn 'commission' from my job? Many people have said the company probably offered 4.2k and you asked for 4k, recruit express will take the $200. Is this true? If not how do they do it?


Thanks in advance hh

It is a very common misconception.

The agent does not "earn" money from you.

Let's say your salary is 100k a year for example. The agency will charge the company that hires you a percentage of 100k (anywhere from 15% to 25%)

The consultant will take a percentage of the 15% to 25% as "commission"

So lets say the % charged to client is 20%. The "agency" earns 20k (assume your salary is 100k)

The "consultant" let's say earns 10% of the 20% charged. So let's say 2k. The 2k is his "commission" (10% of 20k)

You don't get charged anything.

Do note that I don't know how RE operates. But the model I described is consistent across almost all agencies in Singapore.

Sent from Sony D6653 using GAGT
 

havetheveryfun

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It is a very common misconception.

The agent does not "earn" money from you.

Let's say your salary is 100k a year for example. The agency will charge the company that hires you a percentage of 100k (anywhere from 15% to 25%)

The consultant will take a percentage of the 15% to 25% as "commission"

So lets say the % charged to client is 20%. The "agency" earns 20k (assume your salary is 100k)

The "consultant" let's say earns 10% of the 20% charged. So let's say 2k. The 2k is his "commission" (10% of 20k)

You don't get charged anything.

Do note that I don't know how RE operates. But the model I described is consistent across almost all agencies in Singapore.

Sent from Sony D6653 using GAGT

I think its not a misconception, just a confusion with temporary and part time work. for full time and permanent roles they usually use your model, but for part time/temp, it doesn't make any sense to use such a model.. so they just deduct it from your monthly pay or hourly pay (like if the client pays 12$/hr, you only get 9$/hr maybe and the agency keeps the 3$/hr)
 

fallen1

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how come nowadays headhunters call u then always will say market very bad very bad always forever market very bad. Despite wat the newspaper say bout tight labour market, and even some agencies reports also say tight.
How come like that ah?
Purposely one? So that u will offer to lowball yerself to potential employers?
 

kakaboo

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how come nowadays headhunters call u then always will say market very bad very bad always forever market very bad. Despite wat the newspaper say bout tight labour market, and even some agencies reports also say tight.
How come like that ah?
Purposely one? So that u will offer to lowball yerself to potential employers?

do you really believe everything the newspapers say ?

And headhunters are not exactly the same as recruitment agents, that's also another misconception.
 

Techtechy

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Dear HH,

Just curious, are there industries that headhunt lawyers for non-legal roles? If so, what opportunities are there that can match associate pay (as a benchmark, 1PQE - 8k pm, 2PQE 9.5k pm, 3PQE 11k pm, 3-6 month bonus), and conventionally recruit from the legal fraternity?

Thanks!
 

applecore7

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Had a 3 month contract working part-time in F&B. Failed probation period after 1 mnth+ after dispute wif supervisor. Will it affect me in corporate world in future?
 

havetheveryfun

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Had a 3 month contract working part-time in F&B. Failed probation period after 1 mnth+ after dispute wif supervisor. Will it affect me in corporate world in future?

u fail probation in f&b? or another job ?

Just leave it out of your resume n say ur jobless for that period of time
 

Ask A Headhunter

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I think its not a misconception, just a confusion with temporary and part time work. for full time and permanent roles they usually use your model, but for part time/temp, it doesn't make any sense to use such a model.. so they just deduct it from your monthly pay or hourly pay (like if the client pays 12$/hr, you only get 9$/hr maybe and the agency keeps the 3$/hr)

Nope if you go to a reputable agency for part time and temp work the agency charges the client what is called a "markup"

Basically the formula is your salary plus cpf contribution plus insurance. The total amount times 120%

Sent from Sony D6653 using GAGT
 

Ask A Headhunter

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how come nowadays headhunters call u then always will say market very bad very bad always forever market very bad. Despite wat the newspaper say bout tight labour market, and even some agencies reports also say tight.
How come like that ah?
Purposely one? So that u will offer to lowball yerself to potential employers?

Problem is, HH focuses usually on experienced hires which means usually the candidates they target have between 5 to 15 years relevant experience. Usually companies have no time to train people and want an immediate match.

Not everyone in Singapore has these experiences, which is why a lot of companies have difficulty hiring.

The problem often in MNC is not of "cheaper better faster", but can they even find people with the right relevant experience. (and not super expensive, but doesn't mean cheap). And it is true that quite a number of companies (especially financial institutions) are moving towards hiring only Singaporeans, especially those for critical, sensative positions, or positions where knowledge of Singapore laws and regulations are required.

Dear HH,

Just curious, are there industries that headhunt lawyers for non-legal roles? If so, what opportunities are there that can match associate pay (as a benchmark, 1PQE - 8k pm, 2PQE 9.5k pm, 3PQE 11k pm, 3-6 month bonus), and conventionally recruit from the legal fraternity?

Thanks!

Yes. But usually these are related to work relating to a specific compliance function within a bank called "regulatory compliance"

Although one does not need a background in legal to do regulatory compliance, but it helps.

But they usually will tend to hire people who work in law firms who get seconded to work in financial institutions doing something similar.

Hi HH,
Can HR find out a worker moonlighting? (Part time job contributing cpf.)

Yes, by your CPF contribution history.

Had a 3 month contract working part-time in F&B. Failed probation period after 1 mnth+ after dispute wif supervisor. Will it affect me in corporate world in future?

Best is to leave it out of your cv.
 

newstranger

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if you send in an application how long later should you hear back and am i expected to follow up with email or something?

also how impt is cover letter? heard govt jobs care much about it. but what about private sector. most jobs ask for enthusiastic meticulous (similar) person, so I just use 90% same CL for all applications. not every company got relevant info to put into CL.....
 

Ask A Headhunter

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if you send in an application how long later should you hear back and am i expected to follow up with email or something?

also how impt is cover letter? heard govt jobs care much about it. but what about private sector. most jobs ask for enthusiastic meticulous (similar) person, so I just use 90% same CL for all applications. not every company got relevant info to put into CL.....

2 weeks tops.

No you will not be required to email to follow up, as if you are a good fit for the job (with the relevant experience) they will contact you without you contacting the,

cover letter, not important in private sector, unless you are a fresh grad.

Your experiences are far more important. (if they are relevant to the role you are applying for)
 

asdCLOT

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Dear HH,

1. If I were to tender and serve my one month notice, however the last 2 weeks being reservist, will my notice be extended? I've already informed the company that for that 2 weeks I'll be on reservist.

Thanks in advance HH
 

newstranger

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2 weeks tops.

No you will not be required to email to follow up, as if you are a good fit for the job (with the relevant experience) they will contact you without you contacting the,

cover letter, not important in private sector, unless you are a fresh grad.

Your experiences are far more important. (if they are relevant to the role you are applying for)

2 weeks after deadline or 2 weeks after i send in application?


sorry ah, bit jumpy cos no reply...
 

TopGun

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Dear HH,

1. If I were to tender and serve my one month notice, however the last 2 weeks being reservist, will my notice be extended? I've already informed the company that for that 2 weeks I'll be on reservist.

Thanks in advance HH

ICT cannot be counted as notice period. However the firm may choose to accept it.
 

sklego

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Dear HH,

Is it common for employer or recruitment agency to check on candidate's previous criminal records? What is the % of employer who will do this?

In which industry is this more commonly practiced?

Could you share with me a list of companies specialized in such investigations?

Thanks!

SK
 

Kakarotto

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which industry a lot of contingency workers rather than permanent staff?
 
Last edited:

Immortal

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Dear HH,

1. If I were to tender and serve my one month notice, however the last 2 weeks being reservist, will my notice be extended? I've already informed the company that for that 2 weeks I'll be on reservist.

Thanks in advance HH
I was on ict during my notice period. It was a last minute decision and I received leave encashment as I was not able to finish clearing my AL.

Sent from middle of nowhere using GAGT
 
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