Top Ten Things You Won't Ever Hear From Any Executive Search Recruiter

By
H. Kent Craig



  1. Why no, I don't mind being called a "headhunter" at all. In fact, I consider it be flattering!
  2. I don't have a clue about your field, I'm in the business of trying to place candidates, not learning about every friggin' specialized profession I deal with.
  3. My client company has hired me to run a shellgame and recruit a series of suckers, errrr, candidates, just to see what other companies are paying in salary and benefits.
  4. My client company is completely disingenuous, they're trying to recruit nationally without intending to offer any relocation assistance, or a competitive salary and benefits package.
  5. No, you really don't have the qualifications and/or background I'm looking for, but I've got a quota to fill, so can I run your resume by them anyway?
  6. You're so over-qualified for this position it isn't funny, but can I run your resume by them and imply that you might be willing to take a salary cut, even if you're not?
  7. My client company is over 90 days past due on the remaining 50% of the initial retainer they owe us, you can interview with them if you want, I'd just keep my guard up if I were you.
  8. The truth is, even though you're extremely close to a perfect match for the position, you won't be hired, because the head of Human Resources for this company gets his jollies by cruelly and protractedly rejecting candidates, verbally abusing them, and trying to get them to break down in front of all the members of their search committee just for the "fun" of it.
  9. Don't believe the stock options bait they'll dangle in front of you, in lieu of a larger base salary. Even if you get it in writing, keep in mind no one yet has stayed there long enough in a similar position to cash their options in.
  10. Don't sweat that discrepancy between the salary and benefits I told you they were going to offer and what they actually did offer, I haven't and won't ever lie to you.




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