Each week, we blog about things that will help job seekers land the perfect job. We blog about these things because we’re the experts when it comes to recruitment. We’re the experts, but sometimes we find ourselves in sticky situations – like not finding out what a candidate’s real motivators are until after a job offer is on the table. 

If only we had the opportunity to go back in time and start the job search over with these candidates.  If only we could have a redo.  But this isn’t Hollywood and some cheesy movie where the lead character gets hit in the head and travels back in time to make things right. In real life, there is no re-do! However, we can take what we have learned from our experiences and help job seekers understand the importance of articulating to the recruiter what drivers will motivate them to accept a job before the search begins. 

For example,  not too long ago our agency was working to fill a permanent Project Manager position for our client's legacy technology. Our IT recruiter was working with a candidate whom, based on his past experience, seemed to be a perfect fit. He went through a multiple interview process and was finally offered the job.  At the last minute, the candidate turned the job down for a contract position in another state. It had nothing to do with money, benefits, commute, etc., but it was the technology that the candidate would be working with that persuaded him to take the contract position. This web-based PM role was more in-line with where he wanted to go with his career. After the offer was made, the recruiter learned from the candidate that he agreed to interview with our client only because he wanted a new job. It wasn’t until he received the second offer that he realized what technology he wanted to gain experience in to move his career forward.

But what if we were given a redo? What could be done to change the outcome?  

Before moving forward with any job opportunity, we would ensure the candidate knows the direction he wants to take his career. He won’t settle for something that doesn’t really interest him, even if he’s highly qualified. If the job opportunity doesn’t meet his criteria, we'll encourage him to be upfront and let the recruiter know what technology and type of role will really get him excited. Once the recruiter understands his career goals, they’ll both be in a better position to find an opportunity that will motivate the candidate into saying “of course” when an offer is presented.    

Here’s another example. After interviewing for a position with our client, the candidate determined this was the right job for him.  The company liked him too, and an offer was extended to the candidate. There was just one problem. When looking at the total compensation package, the candidate hadn’t taken insurance benefits into consideration. It was at this point that the recruiter became aware how important insurance benefits were to this candidate.  The client agreed to increase his salary to help offset the cost of insurance, but after several days of going back and forth, the candidate finally determined that the offer was not in his family’s best interest. The end result? The candidate invested a lot of time and energy pursuing a job that didn’t make financial sense from the get-go, and ended up keeping the job he had.

How would the redo go? 

The candidate would know up front what the total compensation package needs to be for him to accept the offer. If insurance is his key motivator, he’ll make sure he asks the recruiter and employer about the specifics regarding the insurance plan and costs early on in the process. If benefits are a show-stopper, he’ll tell the recruiter so that she can work with the client to determine how and if to proceed with the opportunity. If it’s not going to work, the recruiter will ensure his time and energy is spent pursuing another opportunity that meets his professional and personal needs.

If you’re a job seeker, don’t count on the redo. Be prepared, know what you want, and communicate those motivators to your recruiter so that when a job offer is made, you’re ready and willing to say “I accept!”

Got a job offer redo you’d like to share?