Strange Situation.

ABajaninCork

I just wanted to run something past you guys...

I went for an interview last week. Recruiter called with feedback on Tuesday, which was a little earlier than I expected.

Seems that out of the four candidates sent for interview, I apparently interviewed best of all. I was told it was a strong interview, great experience, client liked me, all that good stuff. Great!

But here's the bit I don't understand. The client doesn't want to 'burn their boats' with me (the recruiter's words) and wishes to 'benchmark' my interview to see more candidates!!:eek: If by then, they don't find someone comparable, I will then be offered the post.

I was utterly astonished. I've never heard of this before and wondered if anyone else has been placed in this position. I'm sure it does happen, but for the client to come out and actually say that, I was really taken aback.

TIA for sharing!

CatFromHue

Yeah it's a bit weird. I'd keep looking for work if I were you.

mikemac1

You've met one of the only straight talking recruiters in Ireland

I don't think it's strange from the employers point of view, they like you but are in no rush so want to see can they do better over the next few weeks.
They explained that to your guy

But it's mighty unusual you were told it instead of some bla bla story. It's no bad thing you were told, you know where you stand


Keep looking as if that job doesn't exist, if you get a call back then great

dazberry

They feel you're not quite what they're looking for, but you were better than anyone else currently interviewed (not saying best of a bad bunch), and so they want to kept interviewing but keep stringing you along in case they get no one that's a "better match". Want their cake and eat it...

I'd keep a lookin'...

D.

hobochris

I would have informed the recruiter that you are going to continue looking and that there is a very good posibility you will be off the market should the client decide they want to hire you.

Put it in the clients head that you are a variable asset that may be ceased by someone else if they do not act quickly in their decision making process

ABajaninCork

Thanks guys for your responses.

Yeah - it's a real melon scratcher all right. I've no doubt that this situation does happen. But what I couldn't make out was the fact the client was upfront about it!

My first thought was: I was the best of a bad bunch. But then I also thought - if they're using my interview as a benchmark, then it might be that the client thinks I will ask too much money and would like to get someone with comparable experience who might be cheaper!

Yes, I did tell the recruiter I was continuing my search. I'm not holding my breath for this one.

Thanks again!

silja

Did you discuss salary at that interview? If so, maybe they really liked you but your salary expectations were too high.

ABajaninCork

Salary wasn't mentioned at the interview. But I was asked what my salary expectations were by the recruiter. They were in line with what the client was willing to pay.

allibastor

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Salary wasn't mentioned at the interview. But I was asked what my salary expectations were by the recruiter. They were in line with what the client was willing to pay.

i would agree with other have said, in recruitment now and i do see it a lot, the person has most of what you want, but not all. you want to keep them informed that they still have a good chance, but maybe some one fitting will come along.

don't take it as a bad sign, but do tell your honest recruiter that you have other things in the pipeline and that you would prefer an answer soon. is is still good though that you set a new standard, but unfortunately it is very much an employers market so they can be very picky and anal about who they chose for the role.

Katgurl

Maybe I've worked too long in recruitment but I really can't see the problem here apart from the recruiter's turn of phrase being totally unprofessional -

At the moment you are the forerunner but the client wants to thoroughly explore the market before making a decision.

Why would you take it personally? A bad hiring decision is an extremely expensive mistake to rectify.

Surely you want to work for a company that makes well thought out business decisions? At the very least it reduces risk of the company folding. We are in the middle of a recession after all.

ABajaninCork

Katgurl wrote: »

Maybe I've worked too long in recruitment but I really can't see the problem here apart from the recruiter's turn of phrase being totally unprofessional -

At the moment you are the forerunner but the client wants to thoroughly explore the market before making a decision.

Why would you take it personally? A bad hiring decision is an extremely expensive mistake to rectify.

Surely you want to work for a company that makes well thought out business decisions? At the very least it reduces risk of the company folding. We are in the middle of a recession after all.

What ARE you talking about???

At which point did I take what the recruiter said personally? And where did I say there was a problem? I didn't. Obviously, the client wants to take their time before making a decision. Which I am totally happy with and completely understand. Please read what I and others have written. I did say I didn't doubt the situation I described does exist. I was surprised (and pleasantly so) by the frankness shown to me by the recruiter and the client. I've never come across this before in Ireland and am more used to the straight talking recruiters in London where I am from.

And yes. I think we are ALL aware there is a recession on!!

Stheno

I've had this happen to me in the past where experience and background and qualifications wise I fit, in my case it was concern over never having worked in the SME sector at the time that was an issue, and the employer wanted to keep looking.

Wasn't an issue for me to tell the recruiter I was doing the same to be honest, and I actually appreciated the recruiter telling me the truth instead of fobbing me off.

Katgurl

ABajaninCork wrote: »

What ARE you talking about???

At which point did I take what the recruiter said personally? And where did I say there was a problem? I didn't. Obviously, the client wants to take their time before making a decision. Which I am totally happy with and completely understand. Please read what I and others have written. I did say I didn't doubt the situation I described does exist. I was surprised (and pleasantly so) by the frankness shown to me by the recruiter and the client. I've never come across this before in Ireland and am more used to the straight talking recruiters in London where I am from.

And yes. I think we are ALL aware there is a recession on!!

So what is your query? I genuinely cannot see what has surprised you about this situation.

I explain to candidates all the time that they are no.1 candidate (when this is the case) but interviews are not yet completed. If they are not in the running, I let them know and give them constructive feedback to help them with their next interview.

I have read what you've written & the responses - the situation is being described as a melon-scratcher / a weird one etc. You are not holding your breath.

So I am wondering where the confusion lies with the situation. It all looks fairly straightforward to me.

Stheno

Katgurl wrote: »

So what is your query? I genuinely cannot see what has surprised you about this situation.

I explain to candidates all the time that they are no.1 candidate (when this is the case) but interviews are not yet completed. If they are not in the running, I let them know and give them constructive feedback to help them with their next interview.

I have read what you've written & the responses - the situation is being described as a melon-scratcher / a weird one etc. You are not holding your breath.

So I am wondering where the confusion lies with the situation. It all looks fairly straightforward to me.

Having contracted and been in several roles in short term contracts, I can see how this is confusing to candidates.
Most candidates expect to get a yes or a no, not a "you're almost there, we'll update you as the search goes one to be honest"

I have tended to find recruitment agents behave sometimes as if they are doing you a favour and there is a little of that in your post to be honest.

It's happened to me once in the past ten years, and probably 20+ interviews, so it is a bit weird from a job hunters point of view in my experience.
I'd prefer a recruiter who is upfront, honest, and to the point with me. Those that have over the ten odd roles I've had in the past 10 years have had me willing to take their calls (I literally ignore emails from all other recruiters, and send some to the trash bin without reading), and have on occasion gotten back to agents due to past positive experience.

We jobseekers might only mean commission to agents, but our experience is the difference between the commission of a good agent who treats candidates well, is honest and good to deal with, and the non commission of those who do not.

I can think off hand of at least five recruitment agents (individuals) I will never deal with, and just three whom I will always at least politely, not even email, but telephone after they contact me whether or not I am interested in a role, those relationships are well worth keeping up.

ABajaninCork

Katgurl wrote: »

So what is your query? I genuinely cannot see what has surprised you about this situation.

I explain to candidates all the time that they are no.1 candidate (when this is the case) but interviews are not yet completed. If they are not in the running, I let them know and give them constructive feedback to help them with their next interview.

I have read what you've written & the responses - the situation is being described as a melon-scratcher / a weird one etc. You are not holding your breath.

So I am wondering where the confusion lies with the situation. It all looks fairly straightforward to me.

You have your opinion. I have mine. Please do not condescend to me. I described a situation, not a problem, and asked for opinions. This is the reason why I placed the thread in W & J, not Work Problems. The situation is clear-cut. And yes, I am not holding my breath waiting to hear about a position. To do so makes absolutely no sense, does it? Why would I do that??

I was surprised by the honesty shown by the recruiter and the client, because it is not typical of the attitude & 'professionalism' shown by recruiters I've met in Ireland so far. I disagree with your comment that 'my' recruiter was unprofessional in telling me straightforward facts. In fact, I would go so far as to say she behaved with integrity. Something that is all too often missing from agencies here. All they seem to be interested in is their nice fat commission. But then, I'm not their client...

Katgurl

ABajaninCork wrote: »

You have your opinion. I have mine. Please do not condescend to me. I described a situation, not a problem, and asked for opinions. This is the reason why I placed the thread in W & J, not Work Problems. The situation is clear-cut. And yes, I am not holding my breath waiting to hear about a position. To do so makes absolutely no sense, does it? Why would I do that??

I was surprised by the honesty shown by the recruiter and the client, because it is not typical of the attitude & 'professionalism' shown by recruiters I've met in Ireland so far. I disagree with your comment that 'my' recruiter was unprofessional in telling me straightforward facts. In fact, I would go so far as to say she behaved with integrity. Something that is all too often missing from agencies here. All they seem to be interested in is their nice fat commission. But then, I'm not their client...

I think you are picking me up wrong.

Where did I say she was unprofessional in telling you straightforward facts? I said I do the same thing. I referred to her turn of phrase, one of my pet hates about the recruitment industry is the stupid lingo they peddle "dipping your toe in the market" and that sort of thing.

Anyway, don't give up on the job, I've often turned these situations into job offers for candidates.

ABajaninCork

OK. I seem to have misunderstood. I didn't realise you meant the phrase, and not the meaning, if you follow me. Very easy to do. My apologies...:o

FWIW, I too hate 'Buzz Words'. People just chuck them in, and don't really think too much about the meaning.
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