Corporate Headhunters

[W3WN]

15 years ago, I sent resumes around to various companies and agencies trying to find a new job, sensing that layoffs were coming... and then to find a job after they came.

Haven't been actively looking for almost 9 years, since I landed my current job.

About 3 years ago, I start getting emails from one particular placement firm. Headhunter wants to talk to me about a job an hour away... for less pay... for a 6 month contract with option to renew. And no health benefits. I politely declined and asked him to remove me from their database.

I guess I was too polite. Or he didn't bother to follow through.

A couple of days ago, I start getting emails from another headhunter at the same firm. Job in Akron, OH... oh, wait, next email says that it's here in Pittsburgh, HE'S in Akron. Well, part-time... never mind. I email him back, saying "thanks but no thanks". Three times.

Wednesday night, we come home from the ballgame, there's a message on the answering machine. He wants to talk to me about this exciting new career opportunity. I ignore it.

Friday night... another message. Last night, ANOTHER message.

I really don't want to be rude. (And the Boss won't let me, she says I need to work on my manners.) Just in case (you never know what can happen anymore), I don't want to burn a bridge. But this is getting ridiculous.

Any suggestions?

[N8YX]

Sometimes I feel like I'm walking through the jungles of Borneo with all the headhunters I have chasing me.

My response is simple: Diagonal or vertical title increase and a minimum 20% compensation adjustment or GTFO.

And I've had a few serious offers as a result.

[W3WN]

I think your skill set is better (and in higher demand) than mine.

[N8YX]

I think your skill set is better (and in higher demand) than mine.

It's not so much what you do as how you word things. For example...your LinkedIn page: Are you effectively selling yourself as a cutting-edge IT professional (regardless of your specialty) or are you coming across as someone who gets paid to watch the disk platters spin?

[W3WN]

Actually, I don't have a LinkedIn page at all. I'm not trying to sell myself.

At 58, I'm rapidly reaching the point in time where finding a new job, if I ever had to, in IT would be at best difficult. And I'm not looking. I've been with HBI for 8+ years now, almost 9, and I'm very well paid for what I do.

I might give serious consideration if it was a management job, but again, at my age, I'd be shocked if one was offered. My time as an MIS Department head (what would now be called IT) is too far in the past. It would take a HECK of a lot of $$$ for me to even consider it.

And absolutely NOT on a 6 month contract with option to renew. What do I do in 6 months if the company decides to "move in another direction"? I had that happen when I was at All-Clad as a contractor. I replaced someone who'd been there 3 years, and if a contractor survived 6 months, they were usually set (according to the skuttlebut, anyway). At 7 months, I get a call at home informing me that the parent company, in a cost cutting move, decided to terminate ALL contractors across the board, regardless. Just like that. This is NOT a situation I can afford to put myself in again.

[ka4dpo]

If you're happy where you are you might want to call that chair warmer and just tell him to please stop calling. I certainly understand the plight of being in contracted positions. When I worked for the DOD we had a lot of contractors on a whole bunch of programs. A lot of these people were good friends of mine, we had worked together for years and it was really tough when Uncle Sam decided they no longer needed to fund a particular program and a whole lot of people would get laid off and that really hurt. I hope your current company is solid (sounds like it is) so don't let that jack wagon get to you. He's just some clown who gets paid by the phone call and he's going through his rolodex.

Even though I'm retired I have a linkedIn page and a lot of people still use me as a reference. I have recently gotten several job offers from contractors but I have no desire to work anymore and besides, my magic 8 year obsolescence period for retired government weenies is fast approaching. No one want's you after that because statistically all of your important contacts have also retired.

[N8YX]

I plan to keep consulting well past "retirement age". What I do is essentially a hobby that I get paid for, so why not?

[KG4NEL]

Retirement lulz

[NQ6U]

Retirement lulz

I know naught of this “retirement” thing of which they speak.

[K0RGR]

Having been 'retired' at 58, I would say that if you can hang onto the job you've got, by all means do so. The year I was 'retired' nearly all of the 'retirees' were 58 and senior level engineers like me. Imagine that.

Financially, I am very, very fortunate. I did the math, and determined that with my pension and Social Security, I would still be bringing home about the same as I was when working, so there has been no panic. I have had some physical issues for a long time that would make going to work difficult at best. Now, I think I'm going to wait until I turn 66 before I start looking, just to avoid any issues with Social Security. I wish I lived in a state where they don't tax SS benefits, and that may be in the future. My wife is still working and plans to for another 10-15 years, and she has great health insurance. I don't really know what's going to happen when I hit Medicare age, but I think things may get even better, as I will get a supplemental plan through my old employer.

But, if I had not been laid off at 58, I'd have worked at least a couple more years, which would have been good for the finances.

I guess I would try to talk to the headhunter directly, and let him know that you are still happily employed and wish to stay that way.