Hi, all, I am new here and also new in the job market. Currently, I associate with one head hunter and have the following questions: 1. It seems the headhunter fix me up for a phone interview with a big company but ask me to call the hiring manager instead of waiting being called. Is it normal? If he said the time is 1-2pm, when exactly should I make the call? 2. Forgive me if it is already in other threads. The headhunter asked me what interviews I already had, which I answered honestly. What is the purpose? How my answer would affect me positively/negatively? Thanks a lot and enjoy the football!Daniel

> The headhunter asked me what interviews I already had, which I answered honestly. What is the purpose?You shouldn't have done that. This is so that he can then chase after these "open" jobs, or put more candidates into these slots to compete against you.

QuoteOriginally posted by: spice> The headhunter asked me what interviews I already had, which I answered honestly. What is the purpose?You shouldn't have done that. This is so that he can then chase after these "open" jobs, or put more candidates into these slots to compete against you.Haven't thought that way at all! It seems headhunters are really good at 'optimization'. Sure be more careful. Thanks a lot for sharing.

I was surprised when moving to London that people were a lot more open about other interviews than they are here. A company isn't going to waste time on you if they think you have so many offers that you are unlikely to go to them, but they aren't going to want you if they think you are desperate. If you don't have any other interviews, I would at least give the impression that this company isn't the only avenue you are exploring. But in general I'd be honest, but not too explicit - ie don't tell them who the hiring manager is in the other interview. Regarding the phone interview, managers do get busy or forget, so it could be optimal for the head hunter to get you to call the manager.

1. Not sure that it matters who starts the call, though we aim to set it up so that the manager calls. This is because there is a small chance that you call when he's doing something else, or distracted. Thus if you do start the call, it's worth being polite and asking if this is a convenient time. I'd ring at the start of the period, simply because there is a chance he isn't at his desk, so you can ring later but still be in the designated slot.2. Sadly as Spice says, many HHs ask about other interviews so that they can send people in to compete against you. There is a legitimate reason to know which is that only one HH can represent at a given bank. The way you tell the difference is how specific the HH is about what he wants to know. If he just wants the bank name, odds are that he's simply making sure he avoids clashes, if he wants the name of the manager it's a trawl for names.

> A company isn't going to waste time on you if they think you have so many offers that you are unlikely to go to them, but they aren't going to want you if they think you are desperate.I disagree to a certain extent. I think it helps (*a lot*) if you show you desperately want the job.

QuoteOriginally posted by: DCFC1. Not sure that it matters who starts the call, though we aim to set it up so that the manager calls. This is because there is a small chance that you call when he's doing something else, or distracted. Thus if you do start the call, it's worth being polite and asking if this is a convenient time. I'd ring at the start of the period, simply because there is a chance he isn't at his desk, so you can ring later but still be in the designated slot.Great insight! I would call the manager today at 1pm and ask whether it is a good time first.2. Sadly as Spice says, many HHs ask about other interviews so that they can send people in to compete against you. There is a legitimate reason to know which is that only one HH can represent at a given bank. The way you tell the difference is how specific the HH is about what he wants to know. If he just wants the bank name, odds are that he's simply making sure he avoids clashes, if he wants the name of the manager it's a trawl for names.The head hunter only asked the names of the other firms I already interviewed with. But I would still be more careful next time of the information I provide.

QuoteI disagree to a certain extent. I think it helps (*a lot*) if you show you desperately want the job.I disagree with your disagreement. People who are too keen give off a very bad signal. For example, we were always told that anyonew who said "I love trading so much I'd do it for free!" is either an idiot or a kook.

QuoteOriginally posted by: bj93268 1. It seems the headhunter fix me up for a phone interview with a big company but ask me to call the hiring manager instead of waiting being called. Is it normal? If he said the time is 1-2pm, when exactly should I make the call?are you sure he's actually arranged an interview and he's not just telling you to call this guy unsolicited at a time he knows he'll be at his desk ?

QuoteOriginally posted by: spice> The headhunter asked me what interviews I already had, which I answered honestly. What is the purpose?You shouldn't have done that. This is so that he can then chase after these "open" jobs, or put more candidates into these slots to compete against you.I dont think this is true. A HH does not make money if your CV is already in the firm. HH's are paid only for new candidates that they introduce. So if you had already applied for a firm, he would definitely want to know so he does not approach the same firm. This is at least what I was told.

QuoteOriginally posted by: BooyahQuoteOriginally posted by: spice> The headhunter asked me what interviews I already had, which I answered honestly. What is the purpose?You shouldn't have done that. This is so that he can then chase after these "open" jobs, or put more candidates into these slots to compete against you.I dont think this is true. A HH does not make money if your CV is already in the firm. HH's are paid only for new candidates that they introduce. So if you had already applied for a firm, he would definitely want to know so he does not approach the same firm. This is at least what I was told.that's likely true, but he may use the information he gains for other purposes as well

I dont think this is true. A HH does not make money if your CV is already in the firm.Sadly it is true, worse than that.The HH can't chase the job with your CV, but he can carpet bomb it with CV from people he has on his books.HH's are paid only for new candidates that they introduce. So if you had already applied for a firm, he would definitely want to know so he does not approach the same firm.True, and it makes you look silly if you introduce a candidate to a firm and they say "Head R Us have been sending us his CV on the hour for two weeks". This is at least what I was told.It's true sometimes.But you should be wary of giving names to HHs.

Call the hiring manager at the time scheduled by the HH, and he was expecting my call and conducted the interview right away. Just for anyone who's interested to know.

Quoteif he wants the name of the manager it's a trawl for names.Absolutely, a former HH just called me up insisting I give him the name of the hiring manager I'll be working for.

Heres another question...what the longest stretch you've heard off from the first interview to the point of rejection and acceptance.........Mines almost reaching 2 months and counting....