Saturday, July 2, 2011

What Was Said, What Was Heard...Part 2

When the Candidate speaks, what does the Headhunter hear? Well that depends a lot on the headhunter. This week, we’ll consider what the Rookie Headhunter hears in comparison to the Old Veteran Headhunter. These are only slightly exaggerated.


What the Candidate said:
“I’m making around 100”
What the Rookie Headhunter heard:
“I’m making 100”
What the Old Veteran Headhunter heard:
“I’m making less than 100, actually a lot less and I like to add my bonus potential (not actual bonus earned) into my compensation since I really think I’m worth at least 100”.

What the Candidate said:
“I just decided it was time for a change.”
What the Rookie Headhunter heard:
“I’ve really evaluated my situation and decided that working with a search professional like you is the best way to advance in my career.”
What the Old Veteran Headhunter heard:
“I quit before I got fired”

What the Candidate said:
“I went to State U”
What the Rookie Headhunter heard:
“I graduated from State U”
What the Old Veteran Headhunter heard:
“I went to State U for a couple of semesters, partied, ran out of money, had to get a job and dropped out.”


What the Candidate said:
“My company does not make counter offers and I don’t see myself accepting one if they did. Once I accept a new job, that’s it”
What the Rookie Headhunter heard:
“No way I’m taking a counter offer.”
What the Old Veteran Headhunter heard:
“If my company surprises me with a counter-offer, I’ll consider it.”

What the Candidate said:
“I don’t include the month with dates of employment on my resume because I don’t recall the exact months on some of my old jobs”.
What the Rookie Headhunter heard:
“I honestly don’t remember the exact months I was employed with XYZ company back in the 90’s”
What the Old Veteran Headhunter heard:
“I’ve got some significant gaps in my employment and it’s easier to cover them up if I just use years without months.”

What the Candidate said:
“I’m just not comfortable having you contact references.”
What the Rookie Headhunter heard:
“I’m concerned about confidentiality and nervous about you speaking with any of my references.”
What the Old Veteran Headhunter heard:
“I really don’t have any legitimate references who could verify the BS I have on my resume”.

What the Candidate said:
“I’ve only sent my resume to one or two other search firms and responded to a few job postings.”
What the Rookie Headhunter heard:
“I’m haven’t gone very far in my search efforts.”
What the Old Veteran Headhunter heard:
“I’ve blasted my resume out to dozens of search firms, it’s posted on multiple job boards and I’ve responded to virtually every job posting for which I am remotely qualified. It will be a freakin’ miracle if you have a client who doesn’t already have my resume.”

What the Candidate said:
“I have dotted line responsibility over several departments and functions.”
What the Rookie Headhunter heard:
“I have a lot of responsibility”
What the Old Veteran Headhunter heard:
“I’m a staff person.”

Next week we’ll flip it around. The Headhunter we’ll speak and the candidates will hear. We’ll see what the optimistic candidate hears in comparison to the pessimistic candidate.

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