Sought Out By Another Employer

Well guys, LinkedIn definitely works...even when you aren't looking. This is a first for me so I am seeking advice.

A hiring manager from another employer had contacted me for a phone interview. Mind you, I did look at the job a few months ago, and I looked at the hiring manager's profile while still logged in (I didn't mind or cared if this person saw that I was looking.) In any event, I have a phone interview with this person next week.

This is a first for me. Usually I will entertain positions from recruiting companies or the occasional in-house recruiter (one in-house recruiter actually contacted me for a job recently and he had worked at one of my previous companies). This is the first time an actual hiring manager sought out my profile and wanted to contact me for an interview.

My problem with this particular job is that this would be a lateral move and the pay may also be lateral. However, there is evidence that there is room for advancement from perusing some of the LinkedIn profiles. I'm prepared for whatever technical questions I'll be asked, but I do not know how I would handle the negotiations. I obviously would have the upperhand, since I didn't apply for this position, but I don't want to make myself snobbish or unreasonable either. I was not looking to jump ship (certainly not for a lateral). If I were to take this position, this would add about 40 minutes to my commute (it's doable in the morning as I would be going in the opposite direction of the morning rush).

This particular experience is new to me. I know for a fact this is the hiring manager, and not a recruiter. This posting has been available for a good while. I just want to know how to negotiate in the event that I get on the short list to be hired. Since many of you are of like-mind, I figure this would be the best place to ask.

How do I make my intentions clear without sounding demanding (e.g. I'm looking to be a technical-lead or senior-level admin)? I'm not even concerned with salary/benefits at this stage...I care only for career advancement. However, when a hiring manager comes a-calling....I tend to take that as a good sign and a pat on the back for my own abilities.

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Comments

N2IT

erpadmin wrote: »

Well guys, LinkedIn definitely works...even when you aren't looking. This is a first for me so I am seeking advice.

A hiring manager from another employer had contacted me for a phone interview. Mind you, I did look at the job a few months ago, and I looked at the hiring manager's profile while still logged in (I didn't mind or cared if this person saw that I was looking.) In any event, I have a phone interview with this person next week.

This is a first for me. Usually I will entertain positions from recruiting companies or the occasional in-house recruiter (one in-house recruiter actually contacted me for a job recently and he had worked at one of my previous companies). This is the first time an actual hiring manager sought out my profile and wanted to contact me for an interview.

My problem with this particular job is that this would be a lateral move and the pay may also be lateral. However, there is evidence that there is room for advancement from perusing some of the LinkedIn profiles. I'm prepared for whatever technical questions I'll be asked, but I do not know how I would handle the negotiations. I obviously would have the upperhand, since I didn't apply for this position, but I don't want to make myself snobbish or unreasonable either. I was not looking to jump ship (certainly not for a lateral). If I were to take this position, this would add about 40 minutes to my commute (it's doable in the morning as I would be going in the opposite direction of the morning rush).

This particular experience is new to me. I know for a fact this is the hiring manager, and not a recruiter. This posting has been available for a good while. I just want to know how to negotiate in the event that I get on the short list to be hired. Since many of you are of like-mind, I figure this would be the best place to ask. How do I make my intentions clear without sounding demanding (e.g. I'm looking to be a technical-lead or senior-level admin)? I'm not even concerned with salary/benefits at this stage...I care only for career advancement. However, when a hiring manager comes a-calling....I tend to take that as a good sign and a pat on the back for my own abilities.

Less is more so I will keep it brief.

The most intelligent people in the world say very little and mean a lot. I suggest you plan on doing the same.

Make sure to not worry about what they think. That is a form a fear and has no business being in your thoughts. You know what you are worth, get what you are worth.

Leverage the fact you are happy and content and let them know what it will take. Don't be a dumb date give them an idea. School reimbursement, promotion potential to manager, financial bonuses, etc. Make the most out of this deal. Requesting what you are worth is not being snobbish it's being smart.

Focus, be still and concentrate. You are a good person with a great attitude.

Alif_Sadida_Ekin

^This. 40 minutes added to a commute is dreadful. Aren't you in a government job right now? Isn't that pretty secure? You say the pay is lateral, but with the extra cost of fuel and wear & tear on the car, you may actually be making less in the end. If it's a good opportunity, I'd only take it if I know for sure there will be advancement. You're in a good position now. I say make them pay you what you're worth. You hold the upper hand in this deal.

N2IT

One item to consider is to leverage the situation you are in. Try to get an offer from the new company and you can always go back to the company you are with now and bargain. I am assuming you are in good standings with the company you are with now. Play this right and you will get some extra $ and perks!

SteveLord

N2IT wrote: »

One item to consider is to leverage the situation you are in. Try to get an offer from the new company and you can always go back to the company you are with now and bargain. I am assuming you are in good standings with the company you are with now. Play this right and you will get some extra $ and perks!

He works for the state of NJ. If it's anything like mine, there is no actual negotiating pay beyond initial hire. Maybe a reclassification, but that's it.

Everyone

SteveLord wrote: »

He works for the state of NJ. If it's anything like mine, there is no actual negotiating pay beyond initial hire. Maybe a reclassification, but that's it.

Sounds typical for about any government job.

Congrats on being head hunted.

erpadmin

SteveLord wrote: »

He works for the state of NJ. If it's anything like mine, there is no actual negotiating pay beyond initial hire. Maybe a reclassification, but that's it.

That is correct. No doubt such as any other public sector job, in order to even get that reclassification, one has to perform an extreme song, dance, dog, pony show. There are folks that have had retirement in the same title they started out with 30 years ago. It is very political, more so in the public sector than in the private sector (and I'm not talking about party...but that certainly plays into my dealings at times).

To clarify to everyone else, I do have a nice public sector job and I have a lot of latitude/leadership in how I perform my job. My pay raises (and pay cuts apparently) are dictated by my union. I started out with my current job making $30k less than what I make today, much to the chagrin of management who went without any raises. My current salary is slightly below market, and that's with the current state of the job market. For all intents and purposes, I'd be going back to the private sector. That in itself doesn't scare me...I've seen folks that are there for over ten years.

Also, I'm not (necessarily) looking to leave. I just want to use this process as an opportunity to gauge how much erpadmin is worth to them. But I don't want to put myself out of contention. My biggest thing is trying to convey to them that I'm looking for a more senior-level position. This spec doesn't give any evidence that it's a team-lead position, but that's what I would want. I'm not too concerned with salary because I will balk at anything less than what I make now (especially if I have to add to my commute). I was just shocked that I was headhunted by the hiring party themselves, and in a way that's a bit flattering.

N2IT

ERP I agree it is flattering and it does feel good. I haven't had it done for a while, but about 6 months ago I had a rash of headhunters seeking me. It can elevate your confidence.

erpadmin

Well, I will let you folks know how it goes. They wanted salary requirements, but I told them I wanted to talk first. I already know what's in my head and I'm not going to deviate from it.