How HH work with Instituations

[jonlin5]

Hi:

I've just got to Singapore. I actually visited 3 months ago and actively applied to jobs through HH and company websites. Now that I am here one of my better HH says that he cannot submit my resume to XXX bank because another HH submitted it to them(or it is in their database). So how does this make sense? If one HH submitted my resume for job A, another HH cannot submit my resume for job B?

This is not fair for the job seeker as the first headhunter might not be looking out for my interests anymore. Can somebody who works in the industry help explain how all this works.

Thanks so much.

[Strong Eagle]

First of all, the headhunters don't represent your interests at all. You are the cannon fodder. The hiring company is the client. You are the warm body to fill the spot. Unless you are being targeted, you are a nobody to a headhunter.

Second, headhunters want to avoid duplication because it looks like they are not doing their job. It is for this reason that you will only want to deal with one headhunter at a time, and if you don't like the results, withdraw and move on. Make sure that any contract you sign gives you this right.

[sundaymorningstaple]

To add to SE's comments, as a niche HH myself, I speak from some 14 years experience. Most HHs will not compete with another HH Firm as most work on a contingency basis (not a retainer like western countries - with a few notable exceptions). Therefore it's first past the post with a client who often shotguns their requirements across a broad spectrum of HH firms. Should two firms submit the same CV, it's first past the post (and if can be confirmed will also hold up in a court or small claims tribunal). Usually date of submission is a good enough indicator.

As noted, you are but fresh fruit on the shelf to a HH. One with relatively short shelf life at that unless you are rather high up on the food chain. Also, as this is a relatively small country, most HHs know each other or at least know OF each other. You don't want to get as bad rep in the industry (it's bad enough already as most will attest to who have used them). The methods of operation here are not professional comparatively speaking to the western notion. It's against the law to charge job seekers a recruitment fee so they can only charge the client (that who they are working for and that's who pays them).

As to them not working for the job seekers best interests? Well, I think you can see that it would actually be more beneficial to work for the Client's interest in the end as that would generate repeat business. To charge the job seeker means once placed you cannot poach him so bye-bye future income from them unless they are working on contracts or projects. I'm not saying it's right, it's just the way most operate here. If you are not happy, I would formally request in writing for them to remove your CV from their Databases and forbid future submission to clients by them. By having it in writing and dated, they would be hard pressed to submit to any of their clients.

sms

[jonlin5]

When I talk to headhunters here, I don't necessarily sign anything. They just ask you to go over your resume and who you met already. I don't really understand what you mean by "ask to withdraw your resume from their database". Does this erase the fact that this firm already sent my resume to the company? I know "this" is how HH operate in Singapore, but the leverage is all on the client's side, which makes HH rather robotic and just seeing if you have the required 3 yrs experience. In the states, I would even argue HH have the leverage because they know how to introduce good candidates. I'm not saying good candidates that just meet the minimum requirments of CFA, CPA, 2 yrs work exp in IB. I mean scouting out the candidates with long term potential, leadership, teamwork, personality....the soft skill stuff. These are the skills that help you scout out good candidates that companies want. I guess companies here dont really hire for the future...they just want you to do the job presented.

thanks for the replies.

[jonlin5]

Dealing with one headhunter at a time? I'm sorry to say, but that really slows down the job searching process. So before I look for a job, I actually have to find out what companies this HH has relations with and exactly what job functions they cover?

This just doesn't make sense. But, whatever, it is the system.

So if a HH submits my resume to a company. Does anyone know how long that HH has ownership of my resume for that company? If the HH submitted my resume 6 months ago, do they still own my resume for that company?

Thanks all. Appreciate it.

[sundaymorningstaple]

jonlin5,

That is the point I am trying to make. The way they operate over here is nothing more than shortlist your CV's and submit the best two or three in hopes that one will meet with some initial approval of the end user, or at least enough to warrant an interview at least. This is not professional at all and I though I point this out before. It's just that's they way most operate over here (with a few exceptions). There are some that use researchers to do a lot of their legwork when doing the job properly (poaching from a competitor-getting harder and harder here in Singapore) As the size of the country is very small an area defined non-compete clause is pretty effective in eliminating that as well. I have seen a few NC clauses actually get away with almost 2 years (rare though).

As far as future abilities and how far you can go? Most employer here are looking for someone who can hit the deck running and don't worry about any more than 2 years down the road as the average employee in Singapore only stays with an employer about that long. From what I hear, the US is rapidly heading that way as well - no such thing as company loyalty or an employer/employee long term relationship. Hell, it's even becoming a thing of the past in Japan.

Send the HH an email telling them to withdraw or eliminate your CV/contacts from their database. If they then submit somewhere you have cause for redress (unless you decide to take the position ) if because of that submission you current employer were to find out and suspect you are planning on leaving him. Didn't think about that one did you? (Especially if someone were to call for a reference or background check).

sms