Any experience with an executive search firm?

[Rick Lee]

I got a call two weeks ago asking me to come in for an interview. I couldn't recall having submitted a resume to this place and was sort of shy about asking how they had found me. I think I had submitted to a few ads on Careerbuilder a day or two earlier, but quickly forgot about them.

Anyway, I went in there today and the recruiter seemed very engaging and passionate about finding me a better job and being really aggressive about marketing me to her network. We had a great chat. I don't want to be an executive. I just want another sales job, perhaps in mgt., that has some growth potential. I'm topped out where I am with no chance for advancement without moving back east. The lady said they had professional resume writers and would redo my resume. Then she said she wanted me to come back again on Fri. and bring Mrs. Lee with me. She even sent me a questionaire for Mrs. Lee to complete. I can't commit to a half-day off from work for my wife, but said I'd ask. Anyone ever been through this before? I'm assuming these places get paid by the companies doing the hiring and I'm only out my time and effort, no money.

[M.D. Holloway]

Hmmm sounds like they might look for some $$$ out of you. Head hunters normally don't behave like that - least not the ones I ever had dealings with. Of course times may have changed or these guys might be trying something different.

[Gogar]

pics of the recruiter

[Rick Lee]

She was hot. If she says I pay, I'll post her LinkedIn photo. If she says the hiring company pays, I'll ride this out a bit longer.

[M.D. Holloway]

I have several Linkedin connections that are very hot recruiters...feel free to check them out! If you stop by, send me a request to connect

[Paul_Heery]

Rick,

I have never heard of an executive recruiting firm wanting to interview a spouse as well. It strikes me as being very odd. I am with lubey in that my first thought is that they are setting you up to try to extract some $$ from you. I'm really interested in how this plays out.

Keep your guard up and report back to us.

[Rick Lee]

She didn't insist on my wife coming in, but she said they make an all out effort to be sure everyone is on the same page and don't want to find out way down the road that a good job prospect turns out to be unpalatable to the spouse (porn, perhaps). I told her my wife couldn't care less what I do, already thinks I goof off all day (because I work from home in shorts and ride a motorcycle everywhere), and only cares that I have a job with a decent income that keeps me at home about three weeks out of the month. It's not like she's gonna get any hard info out of Mrs. Lee that I can't already tell her.

[911SauCy]

Rick Lee,

It's not an Executive Search Firm if they want you to pay...which it sounds like she is Teeing you up for. Especially with offering professional résumé services...

I worked in one of the most "respected" Executive Search Firms in the country.

STAY AWAY....as a matter of fact... RUN AWAY!!!

She is aggressive, of course, she is going to take your resume and ask someone for $30k+ to place you....without actually caring if you are a right fit, or if it's the best thing for you, or if it will actually benefit you.

I recruited V and C level sales talent with a bunch of blood thirsty, commission only, HACKS!!

Fun facts about recruiting...

~86% of LinkedIn users are active for the sole purpose of finding a new job or employee.
-If your not on it, get on it!
~If you are in some sort of specialized field and you're good, the people who need to know you...already do.

As for the F2F interview...recruiters stopped doing that about 30 years ago.

Watch out for this chick!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Then she said she wanted me to come back again on Fri. and bring Mrs. Lee with me.

Did someone say, "three-way"???

[sailchef]

I've worked with several high end recruiters and they have never done more than compare credentials, do background checks, look at references and set up interviews, all done over the phone.

[aigel]

Rick,

This is not how it is done. A recruiter is retained for a search, meaning he is hired by a specific company to fill a specific opening. Recruiters don't come out and say "wow, Ricky, you look interesting, let's go find you a job, but only after talking to your wife".

I'd cut this short and not pursue further. I would also ensure you send them a letter telling them they do NOT have your permission to shop your resume. They can really mess up a future job search if they spam your resume to every employer out there who is now required to pay their fee if they want to hire you in the future, since you were "presented by them".

I am running out of time here to reply. I wanted to get a quick one in before you get down this hole too far. Be careful.

G

[BeyGon]

EVERYONE that has ever contacted my wife already had a job for her, they knew what they wanted and knew why they were talking to her. None, never have any of them asked to meet me or even asked about me. And none of them ever wanted money from her. She just got a new job through a head hunter, more money, closer to home, better insurance.

[Rick Lee]

Sounds like I need to cancel this second appt. Here's her reply:

, that's up to you. I work for you and help you find the right fit, so there's an investment to be made. However, there are several ways to recoup the investment by increasing your initial value package. These are things we'll discuss in the 2nd meeting. On the opposite side of the coin is a recruiter, who works for the company, who in turn takes 20% of your first year's salary.

Thank you,
XXX XXXXXX
Senior Consultant

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Time to post pics and see if that 3-way would be worth the $$$.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I work for you and help you find the right fit, so there's an investment to be made. However, there are several ways to recoup the investment by increasing your initial value package.

Interesting, consultantese way of putting it. You should go, if only to report back.

I used to work with recruiters, not for Exec Level jobs or anything, but they always wanted to meet me. I guess to see if I could fog a mirror. I have a different kind of job now. It's a very different world.

[krystar]

no recruiter ever takes 20% of salary. 1 month of salary is pretty norm. 1/12 = 8.33%

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by BeyGon

EVERYONE that has ever contacted my wife already had a job for her, they knew what they wanted and knew why they were talking to her. None, never have any of them asked to meet me or even asked about me. And none of them ever wanted money from her. She just got a new job through a head hunter, more money, closer to home, better insurance.

VERY lucky

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by krystar

no recruiter ever takes 20% of salary. 1 month of salary is pretty norm. 1/12 = 8.33%

I took home 33% of a $250k base salary once...

Depends on the talent you represent, how bad the hiring authority needs "that guy" and how much they believe in you as a recruiter.

[M.D. Holloway]

wait a minute...did she used to sell roofing?

[sailchef]

I get emails all the time for positons "uniquely suited to my qualifications" for jobs that I wouldn't even have the slightest clue about. The crappy economy has brought out a whole new group of predetors who are preying on the unemployed.