Jun 2, 2010

Does being out of work make you more valuable?

Posted by Wendy Weber

Every week I talk to job seekers who seem to think so.

I will talk to a candidate who has been out of work for, let’s say, 8 months. They were making $95K at their last place of employment. They have run out of severance money, and are doing their best to exist on unemployment assistance. Now they are “asking for” a salary of $110K.

Far be it from me to tell someone their worth in a free market.

But I would think that after months of unemployment, simply getting back in the game would have real value…even at slightly less than what they used to make. I certainly don’t think a prospective employer would choose to reward them for their months of unemployment.

As a recruiter, I make a percentage of the candidate’s compensation when they are hired. I am certainly motivated to help the job seeker maximize that number. But at a certain point, nobody wins. The prospective employer is put off by the lofty salary demand, the job seeker does not get the job, and I am back on the hunt for a suitable candidate.

I talk to my candidates about the concept of buyers remorse. If they learn that they are being passed over for consideration for the job because there is another candidate presented at a salary of $95K…or even $90K…or even $85K…would they wish they had allowed me to present them at that salary? If so, perhaps they should reconsider their salary requirement.

Once they are gainfully employed, and demonstrating their value to their employer, they will be in a much stronger position to re-negotiate.

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