Is it good practice to tell headhunters about other processes where you are in the final round / about to get an offer but planning to withdraw / not accept? Want them to see that I'm a prepared / legitimate candidate but also don't want them to think I'm wishy washy by going through a process that end up not taking. Would love any advice / insight. Thanks!
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Probably wouldn't be best. If they're taking their time to vet you on the phone, they probably already think you're qualified. If you tell them you have another offer, they probably wouldn't want to waste their time if you're going to choose another company.
what if they outright ask? also if you tell HR would they tell the headhunter?
More a question for a scenario where you're not taking the offer so wouldn't be a risk that the HH would think you're already going somewhere else but more a way to show that you are a prepared / good candidate. They talk to literally everyone on the phone but are more selective with whose resumes they will push to the big name PE firms
My personal opinion is that I don't think this will be necessary to show you are prepared. I think the best way to show that you are prepared is to demonstrate drive or passion for something - and how confidently you talk about it and your own strengths. (not sure if this is useful - but good luck)
Yes, definitely. Your negotiation power goes up exponentially the moment they feel like you're someone who could go and work across the street for competitors. For that reason, don't mention that you're unlikely to accept even if you are.
I'd even go to the length of saying that you need more time to decide because you want to conclude this process before you make a decision and choose from the alternatives. Unless they have a hard exploding offer they should respect that. And if they are set on a deadline go back to the place where you are interviewing and tell them you need to move faster because you have an exploding offer.
thanks @hc2pe this is super helpful. In this case I got an offer recently in off-season recruiting so I'm not currently in any other processes / don't have competing deadlines. It was my first process though so was thinking it might be helpful to update other HH to let them know I had successfully gone through a process to show them that I was a good candidate - what are your thoughts or is that a no-no
Definitely tell them! Depends on how long your offer timelines are (days vs weeks), but by and large nothing motivates headhunters as much as a competing offer. It has played out that way several times in my life.
does the phrase "keep your cards close to the vest" mean anything to you?
you got to think from the other sides point of view....if they think there is a chance...even just a 30% chance that you'll take an offer not with them, then they will totally ignore you.
never tell a prospective employer or recruiter that you have other offers...not until you have an offer in hand with the new firm and you are at the salary negotiation stage.
this should be common sense. you can say that you are looking around and trying to see what the market is like. keep it vague...never give away your power..and information is power
I totally disagree. I've recruited for buyside jobs and people can move significantly faster for a top candidate if they know he/she is on a tight timeline.
talking about the recruiter...not the other firm
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