How long should one stay at their current job before seeking a recruiter to move on to better opportunities?

Typically, the best time to move to a better opportunity will be when you are doing your best work at your current job. It gives you more leverage than when you are unemployed. Think of it as career momentum.

If you are happy with a job you have and it pays well, there is nothing wrong with staying as long as you like. Long stints in a position always stand out on a resume - it shows stability and reliability.

If things are "alright" or unhealthy, keep your ears to the ground, and stay open to conversations with trustworthy recruiters. Feel free to ask a recruiter any questions you have about the position or your career. Their answers might be self-interested, but often, they have a good pulse on the position and industry.

Finally, long answer short: I encourage anyone to spend at least 12 months in any position. Even if it is not for you, you will grow and mature in a tough position.

Best answer to: 'Why are you wanting to leave your current position/job?'

"I apply for the same position I have now at different companys, because I know they pay more. What I make now, is entry level since this is my first job using my degree.

Currently I say, because work is slow and want to grow. But what I really mean is, because I want more money."

Your answer needs a little work. Most of us are motivated by money, and we all know that. But you have to believe in the mission of the company you are working for - even if you have to try a little to believe that.

When asked that question, you want to focus on the opportunity and the company you are talking to. When I hear "work is slow and want to grow", what I think is "you don't work hard enough, or find things to make yourself productive, and want to get paid to keep doing that."

It's not your potential employer’s problem whether or not you are happy at your current job. However, they do want to hire people that care about the work they do. Try and find something you care about, and bring that enthusiasm into your interview.

Q "why are you wanting to leave your current position/job?"

A "I am intrigued by the work you do, and the direction the leadership is taking this company. My skills and experience will help Your Company continue to move forward - and I know I will do great work in the environment you have created here."

Recruiter Contact, Then Nothing

I actually just made a post about this, but this seems like a great place to ask as well. I just had my final round of interviews after a 2-month interview process. I believe they went really well. Yesterday, the internal recruiter I’ve been working with emailed me asking if I had availability to chat either yesterday or today, to which I immediately responded with times, then nothing.

I emailed them again this morning with my availability today, which has all passed, and still nothing. What happened? or what is happening? Is any of this good or bad? Thank you!!

I'm sure this is turmoil for you. I'm sorry if this is making you anxious - it would drive me nuts!

I can't answer for what's going on, but it could be many things that aren't bad. They might want to gather details for an offer, tell you about a new timeline, schedule something, etc. It could be bad news, but stay positive until then. You never know if the person the contacted you called in sick, got distracted, etc. - remember they are humans too.

Anything else I can help with while you wait?

Answering "Tell Me About Yourself" Question

I have always struggled a bit with job interviews, and I feel its the first question ''tell me about your self'' that is putting me off. I usually begin with where I live, what I study, what I like to do in my spare time. I feel like the recruiter wants to hear something more.

Do you have any advice on how to answer that question the best?

M22, student

I'd recommend scripting out what to say. It will come in handy throughout your life.

"I am from ____ and have made it my home. In my spare time I enjoy (something active) because ___. I also spend time (volunteering) with __ _____ which has taught me about __. I enjoy (your line of work) because it combines my ability to __ and my passion for _____. I'm really happy to be here today and to have the chance to learn about your company, and how that intersects with my occupation"

PS, if you aren't doing volunteer work, start. Give back.

Salary Negotiation

"How do you respond when the recruiter may ask how much are you making currently? They make it seem like they need the answer NOW. I usually try to hold off, but sometimes my answers don't get them to stop asking. Ideally, I don't want the recruiter to know my pay until I am receiving a job offer.... What is the best response?"

I have two answers for this:

1. If the recruiter is new to recruiting - say less than 18 months, you can hold off. However, it's in your best interest to share that info - they want you to make as much as possible (that benefits them as well) but need accurate information to do so. The recruiter can't likely submit you as a candidate without having your current salary, and your requirements to make a move.

2. If you are early on in your career, say below 5 years, don't be coy. Share what you're making.

"Typically it's like a game of cat and mouse when I'm in this situation. I feel if I share what I'm making, I won't get what I'm targeting. Could this be the case? How would I know if a recruiter is new to recruiting? If I decline to share, what is the worst scenario for the recruiter?"

Your salary history is important to the process. A recruiter will want to work off of accurate information. Just because you say you make $40k/year doesn't mean the recruiter will try and find you a job that offers $39k.

It could mean he/she won't waste your time with anything below $42-45k/year.

Worst case scenario? You demonstrate you are difficult to work with and they move on to someone else.

"I've always been in that mindset that they're fishing for my salary and read on many articles to not disclose salary which ends up you being on the losing end of the negotiation. I always thought that was how it worked since everytime I got off the phone with a recruiter, they almost always ask for my salary and I took that as something I should keep quiet about. I'll keep that in mind then, not sure why many articles put salary fishing as a negative and something to keep to yourself until the end of a job seeking process."

I should clarify something about sharing salary. I think you may be confusing some positions.

Search Firm/Agency/3rd Party Recruiter: Share your salary

Company HR/Internal Recruiter/Hiring Manager: Don't share your salary right away. This is where it is a valuable negotiating tool.

Do the differences above make sense? So, Wells Fargo has its own internal recruiters, and you don't need to tell them your salary. But say, Robert Half Recruiters might be recruiting FOR Wells Fargo because Wells Fargo is their client. It is in your best interest to share salary with that person.

I know it is confusing. The 3rd Party Recruiter (say Robert Half) wants you to make as much as possible (they then make more), so it's to your benefit. The Recruiter/HR at Wells Fargo doesn't have that same motivation.