Thread regarding Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) layoffs

It boosts your morale to be contacted immediately after a layoff, regardless if it's just a waste of time.

Think of headhunters as "tools" to polish your resume and interview skills. Never provide sensitive information to them (such as your social security number). Never pay them any fee. NEVER sign an exclusive representation contract. The "never" list is extensive...

I've had my experience with "talent acquisition" as well as contract houses. It's always a mixed bag; they can be tremendously helpful - at the very least, you can use the experience to help you with interviewing skills and scout what is out there. These guys also had lots of good advice and notes - and provided feedback when I "wasn't a good fit" that helped me hone my interview skills. The main problem for me was I suspect I was overpriced for the clients I was sent too, especially when their fees were tacked on.

I ended up landing a position through direct hire, approached by the company's HR themselves (via LinkedIn). I got the salary I wanted, and the company looks like a good fit (I haven't started yet). I can't stress enough that the journey there, as in all the OTHER interviews I had, helped me focus in and put forth a good impression.

I'm grateful to these guys for working on finding me meaningful employment, and they really did put forth some effort. All were local, not some remote person, many I actually met in person, at their offices. I guess everybody's situation is different.

As for contract houses, I worked with those 20 years ago - not a bad experience for me back then, but I have no idea how that has changed these days. One of the outfits had full benefits and paid regardless of whether I was directly working with a client (they had in house work in that case). I would say just make sure you know what you are getting into in those cases.

#gold post

What have been your experience with headhunters?

I've had several experiences, most of them negative. Some have treated me like if I was a piece of meat... It had felt like working with mercenaries or traffickers... Most only want to make a quick profit out of you with a quick positioning (companies usually pay them a commission of up to 25% of your first years' salary). I've been lied about job specs, contract terms, etc.

Not all recruiters are what I would call "headhunters"... I got my current job through one that I would consider an exception, as he was the total opposite of what I've just described above. He spent a lot of time working with me to be successful in getting the job (and my salary is not high at all). At the end, we both won, but his style an attitude was extremely different when compared to the other experiences I had.

What about you? Any experiences you would like to share?

4 hours ago by Anonymous | Post ID: @JrM59g6

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If you go with a recruiter, just remember they are seeking a paycheck (same as you). Lots of them can't afford to spend much time/energy with job hunters, although they will say they want to make sure it's the "right fit" on both sides, they get paid by the client and not by the employee. At the end of day, I see it as an oppty to sharpen your interview skills and perhaps get some job leads. If you happen to find that rare recruiter that is actually helpful, then stay in touch with them as you are looking - every couple of weeks give them a call to check in and see if anything new has turned up. Also, double check everything with the client directly to ensure there is no miscommunication (full time / temporary position, how long is the contract, etc..)

2 hours ago by Anonymous | Post ID: @JrM59g6-ayr

I've been without a job for months now, and I prefer to stay that way before engaging again in a temp role through a headhunter. It started this way... I posted my resume on the major job seeking sites, and I started getting contacted the very next day. You can imagine the excitement I had. I wasn't going to be without a job for long, I thought! These guys were very aggressive, calling multiple times per day. If you have the skills they need for their customers, it'll felt like spamming, and they won't rest until you sign with them, and they position you.

I got in average 6-7 emails and multiple calls per day usually for the same position(s) from different "recruiting" companies. They were always related to short term contracting roles in remote locations within the States as independent consultants. These headhunters (there was a common Nationality, but I won't go on that topic) will make you sign exclusive representation contracts with them. As you engage as an independent consultant/contractor, you get no benefits (medical, dental, etc.), and once you are done, they don't give a damn about you. They lied to me saying that the consulting contract was for at least 18 months, but in reality it was for only 5 . I relocated using my own funds, and now I am in the middle of Missouri, with no job, and with no savings, living out of welfare and ad hoc construction gigs until I can get out of this mess.

Be very wary of those kind of engagements. Try not to be panicked by not having a job, and/or over-excited of returning to the job force with "opportunities" like these. For these guys, you are like a flea market item. Their only objective is to "sell" you for a profit, and move to the next victim.

3 hours ago by Anonymous | Post ID: @JrM59g6-eyv

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If you go with a recruiter, just remember they are seeking a paycheck (same as you). Lots of them can't afford to spend much time/energy with job hunters, although they will say they want to make sure it's the "right fit" on both sides, they get paid by the client and not by the employee. At the end of day, I see it as an oppty to sharpen your interview skills and perhaps get some job leads. If you happen to find that rare recruiter that is actually helpful, then stay in touch with them as you are looking - every couple of weeks give them a call to check in and see if anything new has turned up. Also, double check everything with the client directly to ensure there is no miscommunication (full time / temporary position, how long is the contract, etc..)

I've been without a job for months now, and I prefer to stay that way before engaging again in a temp role through a headhunter. It started this way... I posted my resume on the major job seeking sites, and I started getting contacted the very next day. You can imagine the excitement I had. I wasn't going to be without a job for long, I thought! These guys were very aggressive, calling multiple times per day. If you have the skills they need for their customers, it'll felt like spamming, and they won't rest until you sign with them, and they position you.

I got in average 6-7 emails and multiple calls per day usually for the same position(s) from different "recruiting" companies. They were always related to short term contracting roles in remote locations within the States as independent consultants. These headhunters (there was a common Nationality, but I won't go on that topic) will make you sign exclusive representation contracts with them. As you engage as an independent consultant/contractor, you get no benefits (medical, dental, etc.), and once you are done, they don't give a damn about you. They lied to me saying that the consulting contract was for at least 18 months, but in reality it was for only 5 . I relocated using my own funds, and now I am in the middle of Missouri, with no job, and with no savings, living out of welfare and ad hoc construction gigs until I can get out of this mess.

Be very wary of those kind of engagements. Try not to be panicked by not having a job, and/or over-excited of returning to the job force with "opportunities" like these. For these guys, you are like a flea market item. Their only objective is to "sell" you for a profit, and move to the next victim.