"Getting Offers Out of The Blue? What You Need to Know Before You Commit to an Interview"
The Business of Furniture - 5/3/17 Edition
Stephen Says Column




Dear Stephen:

I really like my job. I have been in sales at a major manufacturer for about four years. The position is well compensated and has benefits and everything else that makes a job good. Although I am not the most senior person here, I love the product I sell. I like my boss and most of my colleagues, too. Still, it seems like every other day I get a message through my LinkedIn from a headhunter or a competitor about a new position that someone thinks I'd be perfect for. Sometimes these people even call me directly on my work phone about other jobs (I know it seems insane, but people actually do that!).

Even the dealers and A&D firms I call on tell me about other companies that are hiring and tell me that hiring managers have told them to offer me interviews. I never really know what the money is like in these new positions, but, like I said, I like my job, so I don't ask. So far, I have not even been tempted to interview. Is my career libido low? My wife tells me I should at least check out some of these opportunities, but so far nothing has drawn me. What do you recommend happily employed people do when they get these calls?

Headhunter Heartbreaker
 


If they start talking numbers that you like hearing, by all means, keep them talking.


Dear Heartbreaker,

The best time to interview for jobs is when you do not have to interview for jobs. If you're lucky enough to be sought after, these opportunities can be golden even if you don't cash them in. Interviewing without the pressure of unemployment allows you to hear about the position with an open mind. It also allows you to compare your offer to your current job and figure out how much you would be worth on the open market.

With all that said, there is no use in wasting your time with unserious suitors. Think of yourself like the popular girl in high school who everyone wants to date — if you're going to dump Brad, you better be sure that Devin will offer you more. If someone is calling you out of the blue, and they want to talk about a position for you, don't just say "yes" immediately. Here is your script:

"Thank you for the call. I am very flattered. I am very happy where I am working now and not looking to change jobs. My current base is $XXX, and my W2, for 2017 will be XXX. In order for me to even consider this position I would need a 20 percent increase on my base salary and a guarantee of an overall increase of 10 to 15 percent on my total annual income. Can you offer that? What is the base salary alone for this position?

There is your Viscusi Career Coaching, free of charge this time. Use my script; it will help. If you're happy with your job, and they can't promise a 20 percent increase on your base salary, don't waste your time. And please do not be enticed with tricks about increasing your "total compensation." They want you. You have the leverage. No 20 percent base salary increase, no interview. Got it? If they can't tell you immediately how much money they have for the position, either they're lying or they're disorganized. Stay put!

The beauty of liking your job is that to get you to change jobs these companies need to throw a whole lot your way. Make sure they know it.

If they start talking numbers that you like hearing, by all means, keep them talking. The next recession is just around the corner, so any position that would increase your base salary is definitely worth paying attention to. You may still decide to stay put, and that's fine, but if your question is when should you interview, the answer is when they tell you they'll bump your base higher than Willie Nelson on a summer afternoon.

The onus is on you to ask about the salary increase, though, not on the headhunter or company offering you the position. They want to get you in the door and win you over; you don't want to make that easy for them. Why does Devin want to date the popular girl? That's right, because she plays hard to get. Ask about the salary first or do not go on the interview. I love your phrase "career libido" by the way, and I'll steal it! But don't let it get you down. Now, if your wife is complaining about another type of low libido, maybe you should be worried, but don't let her stress you out about this. Often an interview is a waste of your valuable time. There is no need to sit with these people just to say you did.

Stephen
 

You can send your workplace questions to Stephen at: StephenSays@bellow.press
Questions selected to be answered, will appear in this column. Please use the Subject: Stephen Says for all emails.
Stephen Viscusi is a bestselling author, television personality, and CEO of The Viscusi Group,
global executive recruiters located in New York.
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