Have you ever been in a situation where a recruiter advised you to seek a higher salary and then you weren't in contention for the position?

Anonymous

July 28,2022 at 4:08PM UTC

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Have you ever been in a situation where a recruiter advised you to seek a higher salary and then you weren't in contention for the position?

While browsing Indeed, I discovered a position I was interested in and then reached out to the recruiter. I had a great interview with him and was told that due to my background I was his leading candidate. However, he felt the job's salary was too low for my experience. He wanted to ask them for more money but I was concerned due to the nature of the industry and location.

Following up when I didn't hear back, I was advised that the salary he requested too high and I was out of the running. Is there anything I can do or do I need to let it go? I was so excited about the opportunity and wished at this point that I applied on my own. I thought having an inside connection would be a benefit. The salary wasn't ideal but I could have made it work as I would have loved the role.

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Barb HansenJuly 28,2022 at 4:15PM UTC
If you haven't already, reach back out to the recruiter and say something like this - "The salary cap wasn't ideal but I can it work. I'm excited about this position and I know have a lot to offer company X. I'm eager to continue with the interview process, please let me know what our next steps are"
AnonymousJuly 28,2022 at 4:20PM UTC
Thank you, Barb. I reached out to him a few days ago and said that I was still interested in the position, would be fine with listed salary and feel my background would benefit the role. I didn't hear back and I've seen that he's been posting so I think he's ghosting me. I was so excited about the opportunity so I'm disappointed that this conversation ruled me out before even being able to showcase what I could offer the company.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 28,2022 at 4:42PM UTC
Is this recruiter an agency recruiter or an internal company recruiter?
AnonymousJuly 28,2022 at 6:02PM UTC
Agency recruiter so commission might have been a factor for him advocating for a higher salary.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 29,2022 at 1:51AM UTC
I'm guessing that might be the case.
But he should have known how much wiggle room he had on the comp before he submitted you.
YOU SAID:
"wished at this point that I applied on my own."
So it's really not cool to find out about a position from an agency recruiter and then go behind their back and apply and screw them out of their commission.
YOU SAID:
"The salary wasn't ideal but I could have made it work"
Which salary wasn't ideal? The higher one he submitted you at or the original one?
I suggest you have any honest conversation with yourself about the compensation for this position. Can you live on the lower comp? Do you WANT to live on the lower comp? Or are you going to be pissed in six months and feel you're underpaid? You're missing out because you can't afford x? Vacation, car repairs, new car, medical bills, etc?
If you decide you can live on the lower comp, you might be able to track down either the internal recruiter or the hiring manager for the position and say something like "I was submitted for x position by Joe Blow at X Recruiting Firm. I was very interested in the position but understand that the salary range is lower that the range he submitted me at. I have x years experience doing x and feel I could really contribute to your team. I have some flexibility on my salary requirements and would love the opportunity to discuss this role with you".
By mentioning the recruiter that submitted you, you show you're not trying to back door him. If by some chance the company mentions that they think they could get out of paying his fee because you reached out to them, RUN. Because if they'll screw over their vendor, it's just a matter of time before they'll screw you over too.
Also, something to think about - the recruiter may have been right. He may know what that position pays in many different companies and this company is low balling candidates. That's a gigantic red flag.
Please let me know if you have any questions. GOOD LUCK!