Fresh off the Reality Machine

Since we all love hearing stories, I figured I'd share this one. When I say this is fresh, I am talking about 8 minutes ago. 2 Weeks ago, I have a new client approach me, they were referred from a client of a client. I love those. Anyways, they have a fulltime need, and I tell them I can definetly help them. Between you and me, it sounds like an awesome job in an awesome city. I promplty get 5 very well qualified candidates over to them.

1 of these candidates, strikes me as a little "strong" in his demeanor. Very insistant that he talk the facility to explain himself and what he is looking for. I explain that ultimately that is the process, he would have a phone interivew first and then onsite if he is chosen. I explained to him the midpoint salary for this position was $30 an hour. I explained that typically that means, low point is $25 and high point is $35. He explained that he really interested in $37 and up but is so interested in the location and position that he is open. So I filed this away in my mental rolodex of issues that may come up. He does fit the job perfectly so I think he is a strong candidate.

I was told Monday that they would let me know which of the 5 candidates they want to interview Wednesday, so in anticipation of this, I talk to all 5 and make sure they are all eager and interested and available. Of course all 4 are very happy to hear from me and very interested. Except one. When I called this candidate, his response to my question of if he is still interested is the following. "I'm would only be interested if the money is right". So of course I asked, what is the right money? Upper 30's, $38-$39 an hour. I once again explained that I don't believe that is in the equation but I will bring up your concerns.

Get a call from the client 30 minutes ago, they want to interview a candidate I love and this guy. I share my concerns that I think this candidate is only looking for a raise from current employer but regardless is only interested in the pay range he mentioned. As expected, that pay range is to high and the client asks me to see if he is open to the stated pay range.

So I call up this candidate, explain they would like to interview him but only if he is interested in the pay range we talked about, on the max side of $33-$34 which is what I had explained all along. He reiterates that he is not interested in that pay range so I told him I will let them know. I explain to him that I have a lot of clients in the area he lives in and the area he is looking to move to and I'd love to work with him in the future to which he blurts out

Candidate-"what!!?? I don't get to interview with them?.

(ME) "Well no, you are not interested in the payrange and they don't want to waste your time or theirs".

Candidate-"I told you from the beginning that I wanted to talk to them.....I didn't want to waste my time, are you telling me I just wasted my time".

Me-I calmy explain that I dont' see the point of him interviewing if he is not willing to entertain a lower pay range.

Candidate Again "I told you from the beginning that I wanted to speak to them on the phone".

(ME) "That's not going to happen now"

Candidate -"Thanks for wasting my fucking time! click!

I can't make this stuff up...absolutely amazing as I have clients that would pay what he wants in the area. I've never had someone so insistant on interviewing even when he has no interest in job due to pay.

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Comment by Amy Ala Miller on September 20, 2012 at 11:44am: Thanks Andrew, I love these stories as they make me feel a little less crazy. :) All this noise about the candidate experience. What about the recruiter experience?? Look at how we get talked to? Sheesh.

Comment by Andrew Hanneman on September 20, 2012 at 11:56am: Not only is this candidate an idiot for burning a bridge with me, but in what world do you demand a phone interview for a position you don't want to consider due to pay. Luckily, I followed my usual protocol and I did not release my clients information until I get to this point... Pretty funny sometimes how things work out

Comment by Peter Ceccarelli on September 20, 2012 at 2:39pm: He's a jerk. A lot of them out there. Thankfully there are also a lot of gracious candidates out there in order to balance out the jerks!

Comment by Martin O'Shea on September 21, 2012 at 12:06am: Very amusing Andrew! If he is not interested then its his loss!

Comment by Bill Schultz on September 21, 2012 at 2:53pm: Good for you. If they interviewed and wanted him, they'd be negotiating with you to take less markup and he'd be berating you for standing between him and a job.

Comment by Andrew Hanneman on September 21, 2012 at 2:56pm: I just thought it was hilarious that he still wanted to interview...."you mean I don't get to interview"...no!!! I'm glad my client took my advice to pass. So now they are interviewing my other gal..she is the only interview as of now so should be good stuff.

Comment by Martin O'Shea on September 23, 2012 at 11:35pm: Would you have arranged the interview if at the start of the process, he mentioned that he wasn't keen on moving but really wants to meet them anyways for reference and for the future.
OR do you think you have the responsibility in serving the client just as much as the candidate so felt it was your job to inform.

Comment by Andrew Hanneman on September 24, 2012 at 9:32am: Well when I turned sour on him, it was last Tuesday on the "making sure you are still interested call". I didn't inform the client of my feelings, because I wanted to see if first they picked him for a primary interview. When they did, I informed them of my feelings that I felt either he was fishing for an offer so he could get a raise, or that he would go thru the process and not accept the offer because it's lower than what he wanted. Either way, I didn't feel as if it would be beneficial to move forward on him. What I tell my clients, is that ultimately my feelings don't matter and what ever they want to do we will do, it's just my job to inform them of my feelings. Luckily it all worked out that they chose to follow my recommendation. On site interview this Wednesday so fingers crossed it goes well, they are only interviewing my gal, so I think I got a pretty good shot!

Comment by Andrew Hanneman on September 24, 2012 at 2:53pm: So just got off the phone with my client, this candidate figured out who my client was and told them he would go direct and they could avoid fee. They told him, it wouldn't be right since they have an agreement and not to mention his unprofessionalism. Love it when a client has my back!