Got an offer for a job. Recruitment guy seems a little pushy

[Otispunkmeyer]

So I have an offer for a job doing engine development work for an outfit that has a long history in haulage among other things, but is now seriously going down the engineering route to develop one of their most promising products.

I have had two interviews which went well and just now I have had an offer relayed to me via the recruitment guy. The offer is a little lower than I was expecting (considering the role was initially advertised as £35k with benefits and bonus - though I wasn't expecting 35 to be honest, but they've offered even lower than what I was expecting) but maybe, as this is my first time in this situation, my expectations are off.

Anyway, whilst ploughing that furrow, I wasn't about to have all my eggs in one basket so I was chasing other opportunities as well. On friday I got a call from another recruitment guy who told me his client (a very well respected race engine maker in Brixworth) had called him specifically to ask about me and get me in for interview. Knowing the history of this company I thought it silly to just say no right off the bat. So I have an interview with them on Thursday.

This morning, an old lead I was chasing with a much larger company in the Nuclear field, got back to me and they want to interview me as well and have arranged something for Wednesday.

Not knowing anything about the offer from the first company, I agreed to the interview there as well. However, I have just got off the phone with the recruitment guy for the first job and I told him about these other two interviews (possibly a mistake on my part, but I didn't know what else to tell him!). He basically said that they wouldn't like me going to these other interviews as they have now made an offer, that the offer might only last 24 hours and that I need to come back to him with a salary number which would effectively guarantee me cancelling the future interviews.

I am not sure how much of this is the company in question and how much is the recruitment guy wanting to ensure his commission. I said I'd get back to him later today but now I feel a bit pressured and bit stuck! Any advice from the PH veterans?

This is the only offer I have had so far, and while it certainly seems like a great opportunity, its not the only place I want to work. The company in Brixworth certainly catches my attention thats for sure and I think I'd feel a bit cheated if I had to give up the interview opportunity.

Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Monday 7th April 15:48

[hman]

Go to the other interviews, the Recruitment consultant doesn't want you picking another job which he has not put you forward for and therefore will not be getting any bonus for.


Take your time and choose wisely.

[singlecoil]

I reckon the recruitment guy is bullstting you, and I think you should do the other interviews.

[DoubleSix]

Urrrgh recruitment agents.

I wouldn't wish to comment on your situation specifically but nearly all dealings I've had with RAs have left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I suspect they will say and do pretty much anything to get you in a particular role - the one they have on their books.

It normally starts with an very attractive package that gradually get whittled back as you get closer to the company themselves and discover what was actually on offer.. by this point your time has been wasted.

Anyway, sorry I can't be more helpful/positive. Good Luck.

[NoNeed]

The offer was lower than you expected/wanted so I wouldn't be too fussed especially as you seem to be in demand. I would call him and tell him he will have a final answer on Friday and if he says that means the offer is withdrawn then just thank him for his time.

[Tampon]

He wants to be pushy, give him a figure, what ever happens yeay or nay to that, go to the other interviews and do what works out best for you. Just don't try and push it too far.

That is the best thing about a free labour market, capitalists make money off your production but you have the option of working wherever you choose.

[supertouring]

It's your life and your choice, so do as you see best.

Agents will tell you anything to ensure they get their commission.

[Otispunkmeyer]

Ok thanks for the advice chaps

I have just had a friend of mine say to me that I should decline the offer through the agency and then deal directly with the company and if alls well, take the job that way. But I am not a douche bag so I won't be doing that.

Also had the future FIL, retired CEO of a very large company (how very PH!), tell me exactly what you guys have.

[Tyre Tread]

Dear Mr RA,
I'm very intersted in the offer that you have told me about over the telephone. However, it is somewhat below the level I expected.
As I mentioned I have other possibilities in the pipeline, one of which in particular is attractive to me.
I would be delighted to give your client's offer copnsideration and ask that you snend the full deatils of the offer in writing so I can spend a little time to consider its full implication upon my future career and discuss it with my family.

Regards

OP

[daddy cool]

I'd go for the other interviews - and good luck with whichever one you like the most!

As for telling the recruitment consultant about the other jobs, well too late now, but in future at least avoid saying the company name or the area. The next thing the RC will do is cold-call that company (or call around companies in that area that seem to fit the bill) and tell them that they have some potential employees for that specific role in the hope of picking up that contract - basically you are helping them in their work to research other ways to generate themselves commission!

I know this because thats what i was told to do when i was a RC.
I did it for a month because i was out of work but was so disgusted at the practices and the way people were treated that i walked out the door. Next job was a few months in a warehouse lugging boxes around with people that mostly couldnt speak english - but at least i could sleep easy at night!

[Piersman2]

Tampon said:

He wants to be pushy, give him a figure, what ever happens yeay or nay to that, go to the other interviews and do what works out best for you. Just don't try and push it too far.

That is the best thing about a free labour market, capitalists make money off your production but you have the option of working wherever you choose.

^^^ This. Give a figure that you would be happy going to work for company A if the other opportunities don't mature.

The follow all up until you have the full picture of what's available to choose from.

Then choose what suits you best.

Don't feel cornered even if you accept company A's offer, you can back out as easily as they could withdraw their offer just by changing your mind at any time.

[hman]

Otispunkmeyer said:

Ok thanks for the advice chaps

I have just had a friend of mine say to me that I should decline the offer through the agency and then deal directly with the company and if alls well, take the job that way. But I am not a douche bag so I won't be doing that.

The employer will still have to pay the recruitment company an assignment fee - it will be in their T's and C's.

It wont be any skin off anyones noses if you do that and I dont see that you will get a better deal from doing it either.

[supertouring]

daddy cool said:

As for telling the recruitment consultant about the other jobs, well too late now, but in future at least avoid saying the company name or the area. The next thing the RC will do is cold-call that company (or call around companies in that area that seem to fit the bill) and tell them that they have some potential employees for that specific role in the hope of picking up that contract - basically you are helping them in their work to research other ways to generate themselves commission!

I have first hand experience of an agent contacting me about a possible role but first asking "have you been to other interviews and with who?" and this was not "to ensure they do not get your cv more than once", it was purely to gather intell of who else is recruiting.

The "possible role" turned out to be thin air.

[Otispunkmeyer]

daddy cool said:

I'd go for the other interviews - and good luck with whichever one you like the most!

As for telling the recruitment consultant about the other jobs, well too late now, but in future at least avoid saying the company name or the area. The next thing the RC will do is cold-call that company (or call around companies in that area that seem to fit the bill) and tell them that they have some potential employees for that specific role in the hope of picking up that contract - basically you are helping them in their work to research other ways to generate themselves commission!

I know this because thats what i was told to do when i was a RC.
I did it for a month because i was out of work but was so disgusted at the practices and the way people were treated that i walked out the door. Next job was a few months in a warehouse lugging boxes around with people that mostly couldnt speak english - but at least i could sleep easy at night!

Best chalk that mistake up to in-experience then. Oh well.

Thinking about it a bit more now, I think that there isn't a £xxK number to give him to seal the deal. Regardless of the money I would want to at least get a look in at the opportunities these other companies present so that I have something to compare to, so that I can make the right decision.

I feel like such a douche as well because my OH, who is also PhD level, is getting knocked back left right and centre and here I am moaning that people seem quite keen to employ me!

Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Monday 7th April 16:13

[jogon]

Agree with everyone else go to the other interviews and please don't say you told the original recruitment guy the names of the other companies you will be interviewing with.

Never discuss anything else with them apart from the role they are putting you up for.

They are all snakes.

[Otispunkmeyer]

jogon said:

Agree with everyone else go to the other interviews and please don't say you told the original recruitment guy the names of the other companies you will be interviewing with.

Never discuss anything else with them apart from the role they are putting you up for.

They are all snakes.

I'm not going to say anything other than I feel very naive at the moment! Whats done is done, no point dwelling on it.

I feel exactly like the time I took a car for test drive, but didn't like the deal offered afterwards for the condition of the car, yet because I'd had a test drive that had somehow meant I'd put pen to paper and I would be walking out the door with the keys. Basically being press-ganged into buying it because he'd "done me a favour"

[Tampon]

Otispunkmeyer said:

Best chalk that mistake up to in-experience then. Oh well.

Thinking about it a bit more now, I think that there isn't a £xxK number to give him to seal the deal. Regardless of the money I would want to at least get a look in at the opportunities these other companies present so that I have something to compare to, so that I can make the right decision.

I feel like such a douche as well because my OH, who is also PhD level, is getting knocked back left right and centre and here I am moaning that people seem quite keen to employ me!

Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Monday 7th April 16:13

Don;t worry about it bud.

As for the figure, no need to play games. He is negotiating with you at the moment. Tell him what you would like ot work for, you said the job wa advertised at £35k, tell him that. Don;t fall for the pressure of you being locked in just because you asked for certain number.

Chances are he will try and chip you anyway on whatever you say.

"Worst case", they agree straight away and you have a formal job offer, you get another offer from one of the other companies and decide to go with them, inform company hired by RA that you are declining their offer on the basis you had 2 offers on the table and the RA soured the deal for them by pushing to much and making demands, changing the deal etc , real shame, you would loved to have worked for them etc etc hope to have contact with the company in the future.

[Tampon]

Otispunkmeyer said:

I'm not going to say anything other than I feel very naive at the moment! Whats done is done, no point dwelling on it.

I feel exactly like the time I took a car for test drive, but didn't like the deal offered afterwards for the condition of the car, yet because I'd had a test drive that had somehow meant I'd put pen to paper and I would be walking out the door with the keys. Basically being press-ganged into buying it because he'd "done me a favour"

That is just a pressure technique they are trained to make nice people like you feel that way.

Maybe inform the companies you are lining up a interviews with that a RA (name them to them) rang up and asked for the details and you have just found out what he might be up to. Stops them being done over as well.

[aizvara]

I've had a similar experience - had an interview and it went very well.

That afternoon I was out meeting a friend and had a phone call from the agency saying I'd been offered the job. I said I had another interview the following week, and I'd make up my mind after that. That didn't go down well, and I was repeatedly called throughout that afternoon. They claimed that there was another candidate and the company were in a hurry to employ one or other of us.

Which didn't leave me any time to discuss the job or the relocating it would require with my girlfriend. They kept pushing even when I explained all that, escalating up to the "agency manager" contacting me and saying I'd lose the offer unless I said I'd accept it that day. If it wasn't for the fact that I'd been out of work for a while, I'd have told them where to go.

As it turned out there was no other candidate, and no massive hurry to hire from the company itself. The whole thing was just another example of my own naivety - one day I'll learn.

[Otispunkmeyer]

Tampon said:

Otispunkmeyer said:

I'm not going to say anything other than I feel very naive at the moment! Whats done is done, no point dwelling on it.

I feel exactly like the time I took a car for test drive, but didn't like the deal offered afterwards for the condition of the car, yet because I'd had a test drive that had somehow meant I'd put pen to paper and I would be walking out the door with the keys. Basically being press-ganged into buying it because he'd "done me a favour"

That is just a pressure technique they are trained to make nice people like you feel that way.

Maybe inform the companies you are lining up a interviews with that a RA (name them to them) rang up and asked for the details and you have just found out what he might be up to. Stops them being done over as well.

Thanks

Will try drop them a note.

Part of the issue is knowing what I am worth. I have no idea what sort of salary I should be on. I can only compare to my peers. £30k ish seems to be what my peers have started on as a minimum (my offer is lower than this by a few k so is basically a graduate salary). Quite a few started on 35k but this was with JLR who have deep pockets. A couple of guys were outliers on nearly 45 but their PhDs basically made them experts in something their company dearly wanted, hence they could just about hold all the cards. I am not sure where I stand, my PhD relates to development of an engine emissions abatement technology. This company are developing their product to meet future emissions, but also as its a small team, its going to be hands on from the air handling system at the front, combustion and fuel injection in the middle and exhaust after treatment at the end. So there is some stuff in there that I have no direct experience of (even though I understand very well the physics of them).

I have thought about accepting their offer for the duration of the probation period. Then if they are happy with my performance we can move up a few k.