We here at Martineau Recruiting Technology have been preaching to both client companies and client candidates for several years now that the current market is a candidate driven market in which the supply of talent falls well short of demand and that companies need to be flexible as the pursue candidates in the marketplace. However, from recent conversations with candidates and colleagues in the industry I think that may be going to some of the candidates’ heads. They think it means that the dot com market of the late 90’s has returned with it’s unbridled enthusiasm and seemingly limitless resources that companies are prepared to throw at prospective employees….Wrong!

Sorry to burst your bubble but it’s not happening now, nor will it for a couple of reasons. First off companies learned a tough lesson back in those dot com days that the more dramatically that they go over their corporate norms with salaries, bennies & relo packages the more it hurts them in the future so they are being more restrained. Does that mean people aren’t getting solid increases and additionally bennies? NO, but don’t count on a 20% increase with 4 weeks vacation and stock options if your not in management. Secondly, while companies need to hire, and are actively trying to hire since most of their hiring needs are growth related they are more willing to be patient with the process and “wait” for the candidate that is a good fit.

So if you’re a candidate pursue companies that fit your needs, find the right job and maximize your earnings through reasonable negotiations. Just don’t expect to break the bank.