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tada52 · Jun 25, 2009, 12:02 PM

I was contacted by an HR recruiter for a large company yesterday regarding a position that they felt was a good fit. He seemed enthusiastic in his email.

I responded with a well worded email detailing my skills and how they fit the requirements of the open position and a copy of my resume. The recruiter immediately responded that he was impressed with my skills, and that he wanted to know why I desired to leave my present job and take a position with his company. He also asked for my salary requirements.

Currently I am a contract employee, and I really do want this job. I again responded with a well worded email giving him the reasons that I wanted to leave my present job and get the position with them. I also included my salary request, stating that I was flexible and the salary was negotiable. The position also required no relocation, and he stated that their benefits were very good.

He wrote my back thanking me and stating that this information is very helpful.

What was meant by that? Is it good or bad? I felt like responding just like that, asking him if it was good or bad, and was I still in consideration for the job.

Is this a wise thing to do, or should I just wait?

tickle · Jun 25, 2009, 12:47 PM

It is your option, he got your name from some list, probably from a job application in the past and called you. I know how they work.

You should keep in touch with him. Don't get your hopes up though, it is there job to contact a lot of people with certain skills if they have an employer looking for someone. They are called 'headhunters' here.

Tick

Perito · Jun 25, 2009, 12:48 PM

Recruiters (headhunters) are always enthusiastic, and they are always impressed by your skills -- but they don't know anything about the real qualifications for the position you are to be considered for. He also may just be looking for a people who work a given field and he may not necessarily have any definite position available. He would like your name, however, as someone who was interested in switching companies if an opportunity came along. If he can place you at some time in the next year, he'll get his commission.

If you are interested in switching companies, then tell him that you are interested but to keep everything confidential (he probably will anyway).

His response is neither good or bad.

tada52 · Jun 25, 2009, 12:55 PM

You misunderstood me. As a contactor, I know exactly what a headhunter is. This is a direct employee of the human resources department of the company I am looking to gain employment with.

Perito · Jun 25, 2009, 01:00 PM

OK. In that case, I would assume that you are probably still in contention, but not necessarily the top contender.

tada52 · Jun 25, 2009, 01:10 PM

But should I follow up to his last email asking if I was still in consideration, or just wait it our?

Perito · Jun 25, 2009, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by tada52

But should I follow up to his last email asking if I was still in consideration, or just wait it out?

Now that's a very good question. I don't see any reason why he wouldn't tell you the truth so there's probably no reason to be timid. Besides that, in my career, I always asked for information directly and it paid off. If I were in your position, I'd probably follow up.