Question for Engineers: You get called, emailed, contacted by a Recruiter. This person has 20 seconds to make an impression. What do you want to hear, not hear?
I am curious as to what Engineers are thinking when they are contacted.
Answers (17)
John T. Sloan [LION] S
MyLink500, TopLinked.com (john.t.sloan@lmco.com) (3150+ connections)
Best Answers in: Staffing and Recruiting (1)
I'll tell you what they are thinking...they are thinking that there is a process for them to express interest in all jobs and if they wanted a job they would follow that process and that process does not involve you cold calling them and asking them if they are interested in a different job....I kid you not. Once they are done being annoyed by your apparent lack of understanding of this process they are usually willing to listen to your offer.
If you call me I would assume you know my area of expertise and you will call me only when the opportunity fits in my area of expertise. I am not talking just "technology", I am talking "Search Engine Optimization" opportunities if I have listed that as my area of expertise.
If you have opportunities that fit the above mentioned point then while talking come directly to the point as to what the opportunity is all about and never mention compensation because as an engineer I feel offended when you try to put a price tag on my skills.
Costin-Sorin I
QA Senior Coordinator at Aluminum Foundry
Best Answers in: Using LinkedIn (6), Education and Schools (1), Government Policy (1), Compensation and Benefits (1), Personnel Policies (1), Internationalization and Localization (1), Viral Marketing (1), Quality Management and Standards (1), Professional Networking (1), Biotech (1), Enterprise Software (1), Computers and Software (1), Computer Networking (1), Information Storage (1)
1.Don't talk to me about anything money related.
2.Words I want to hear: interesting, challenging, opportunities.
3.Prove me you understood my experience, interests and expertize.
Larry M
Chief Gardener and Woodcutter at Our Little Farm
Best Answers in: Purchasing (1), Small Business (1), Using LinkedIn (1)
Back in the dark ages, recruiters seemed to have a better understanding of what the engineer actually did. The calls were very targeted and much less likely to be dismissed out of hand. Additionally, the recruiters seemed to understand that the engineer did have a job and might not be comfortable talking to a recruiter at the office, particularly about salary.
A couple of quick lines that would help any recruiter (and one I used to hear a lot and never do anymore) is: "Hi, my name is ..... and I'm a recruiter. I'd like to talk with you about a position that you or a friend might be interested in, is this a good time?"
So, right away you've defined yourself as a real person and that you're trying to find a better job for someone. Additionally, you have shown respect for the person you're calling (which makes everyone feel good) and acknowledged that he actually has friends! (Which also makes people feel good.)
It's even better if you know what the engineer does, if you don't then you're just another cold call.
If it's a cold contact/call you have one strike against you to start with--scratch that, make that 2 strikes. Your only shot at keeping me from hanging up is that you already know who I am.
I want to hear that you have some understanding of what I offer. If you know nothing about me you are nothing more than Just Another Telemarketer.
One thing I don't want to here are "cutesy" or "psychological" claptrap questions like "If you could be a tree...". I'm an engineer. I deal in facts, figures and formulas. I don't waste my time on those types of questions or recruiters. If you want to know something specific then get to the point and ask.
Know the industry--and don't use the jargon if you don't understand it--you won't fake your way through it. Buzzwords will get you a polite brush off.
As an engineer I fix problems. Tell me the problem you are trying to solve. Feel free to ask if I have experience in that area and if I don't then politely end the conversation--I may not fit this time, but who knows about another opportunity and I tend to remember who wasted my time and who didn't.
If I say I'm happy where I am and not interested drop it. Don't push. I won't be rude, but I also won't ever talk with you again.
Ron G
Content Developer at SharifahHardie.com
Best Answers in: Using LinkedIn (6), Career Management (3), Starting Up (2), Certification and Licenses (1), Job Search (1), Advertising (1), Internet Marketing (1), Labor Relations (1), Engineering (1), Professional Networking (1)
You, and the others answering this question, seem to be focusing on those happy where they are. Tell me: why in the name of Ebby Calvin Laloosh would you do that? Wouldn't you much rather talk to someone who actually WANTS to go elsewhere? And don't the recruiters base their contacts on resumes they already have in hand, and jobs that actually are open? To me, that would all suggest that there are matches waiting to be made. This should be a non-problem.
On the other hand, I have never yet met a recruiter who actually understands what the customers are looking for, much less what the candidates do. Most I have met only read "must have 2000 hours of Solidworks," and attempt to match that. Hmph. I know there must be better recruiters out there, perhaps thousands of them, but I've never met one.
Mukul A
RF Manager (LION, MyLink500.com, Invites welcome, Telecom LIONs, 3300+)
Best Answers in: Staffing and Recruiting (1)
II am an engineer for last 14 years. Now for last seven months in recruiting. As an engineer, I want to be in the newest technology (pay would not matter in the case), if it is not the newest technology, then it will be location (close to my home base) and then what role (leadership or just an engineer) and then will come the length of the project (3 months, six months, a year...) and finally the money (if you do not offer me above, offer me a good money).
I guess I understand the pain of the engineers (consultants mostly) and try to match what they are looking for. It helps them what they are looking for and helps me as I get who I am looking for.
I would want to hear 2 things, how this new position enhances my experience level and technical skills, where is the job, and of course, the compensation and status within the company. One of the primary questions is "why is this position open?" If its a new position, then thats expansion, a good thing. if the position has been open a while or there has been turnover, then the position/mangement/company isnt what I would consider.
Absolutely nothing. I'll contact them if I need them.
In general there is very little that will make me want to hang up on anybody. On a minor point of courtesy, I dislike calls to my mobile with no caller ID. Other than that, most recruiters are friendly without being unctious.
I want to know that you've actually read my profile, either on LinkedIn or on the resume website you pulled my information from. On all of these sites, I have clearly labeled that I am not interested in relocating, and will not accept contract positions. I've lost count of the number of emails I have received from recruiters with contract positions halfway across the country. It has gotten to the point where emails from many recruiting firms go directly to /dev/null (that's the trash can).
Info on Org- [Business model/Size of Operations/Revenue]
Info on the JD-[ Domain/Project /Techno-Functional or Functional/Technolges/Devlopment or Maintainace.
Info on Misc- % of Travel/Location & Other Benefits Key to your Org.
Info on Compensation: Assess basics of affordability in terms of candidates comp expectations.
I would expect them to be honest. If all they want is to add me to their list of prospects, then state that upfront and I'll decide if I want to be added. If they have a job they think I'm a good fit for, then state that up front. Avoid describing jobs in meaningless terms such as 'dynamic company', or 'fast paced environment'. Instead, tell me about the role, "chief architect", "marketing manager", and have a list of specific descriptors of what that role entails. Then respect my feedback. When I say I'm not interested, save everyones time and move on. Keep it short, and it will be appreciated.
I'd like to hear my name pronounced correctly. ;-)
Really, what I want to hear is that the person calling has already done more than a keyword search on my resume and actually is offering something in line with what I do. If you haven't made that minimal effort, I'm not insterested in talking to you.
Even worse is the email that says, "this might not be for you, but if you know anybody else please give me their contact info." I'm pretty busy with my job right now, and I'm not inclined to do yours for you. If I have a relationship with you already, that's one thing...but if this is the first time I've ever heard from you, please respect my time.
Quite frankly, don't call me if you know that I am not the right skill set but you thing I know someone who does have it. We are not here to help you find people. I am busy with my own work, and I don't need calls asking if I know someone who would be good for a data analyst position when I am working as a Senior Network Engineer. Clearly you are not calling me for my needs.
Also, if I don't have a current post on a job site, then don't call. I get way to many phone calls from recruiters that have me in a database from over a year ago, and then want to know if I am interested in a position. No. If I am not currently on a job board, then I am not looking. When I am, I will call you. If you want to send me an email, that is fine, but don't call.
Doris B
Lead Information Security Policy Analyst at Blue Shield of California
Best Answers in: Information Security (1)
That you will respect my wishes and email me the job requirements so that I can review them and decide whether I think I am a good match and whether I am interested.
Too often, when I request that, the recruiter will rush through the job description and nag for a commitment to interview before I even know what sort of position they have. Those are, inevitably, the ones who have picked out my resume based on a single word match and have no idea what the job requires or what I do.
Gustav Uffe N
Quality Engineer at CLAAS Agrosystems
Best Answers in: Manufacturing (4), Offshoring and Outsourcing (2), Quality Management and Standards (2), Biotech (2), Using LinkedIn (2), Regulation and Compliance (1), Job Search (1), International Law (1), Internationalization and Localization (1), Treaties, Agreements and Organizations (1), Criminal Law (1), Contracts (1), Business Analytics (1), Equity Markets (1), Enterprise Software (1), Wireless (1)
My linkedin profile states what kind of offers there would tempt me to consider accepting a headhunt offer.
I usually tell headhunters they are welcome to send me a connection invitation even if it is an offer I immediately decline.
I consider having many connected headhunters to be a strategic tool there increase the chance of receiving the kind of headhunt offers there would tempt me and it is a good idea to use good times to build a network there can generate good job offers if the economy enters bad times in the future.
I expect headhunters to immediately being able to say if the offer has something to do with trade with china or investment in China.
(I have a chinese girlfriend and I hope one day to move to china if I can obtain a job in a western company in china at a western salary)
In case that is a no do I expect headhunters to be able to tell me immediately if the offered position will improve my knowledge in fields there increase the chance of obtaining a headhunt offer for a position in China.
