Archive for the 'Readers’ Forum' Category


HR Wags The Dog

Monday, May 21st, 2012

In the May 21, 2012 Ask The Headhunter Newsletter, an executive who’s about to be interviewed by another executive wants to know why HR is sticking its nose into the process: You are going to love this. (NOT!) I was contacted by an ex-colleague to ask if I’d be interested in the position of Regional [...]


Another Top-10 Stupid Interview Question: “Tell us all about yourself!”

Monday, May 14th, 2012

In the May 15, 2012 Ask The Headhunter Newsletter, a job hunter comes up with a good way to deal with one of the Top-10 Stupid Interview Questions: I’m looking at positions as an intermediate- or senior-level software developer, and I’m trying to think of new ways to tackle the famous open-ended interview question. Here’s [...]


How to Boost Your Salary Quickly and Often

Monday, May 7th, 2012

In the May 8, 2012 Ask The Headhunter Newsletter, we’re covering something different: A wild story… From The Headhunter Files People seem to enjoy hearing some of the stranger stories from The Headhunter Files. I usually share these only in my live presentations and workshops, but I think it’s time to go public. Rather than [...]


Can an employer charge you for quitting?

Monday, April 30th, 2012

In the May 1, 2012 Ask The Headhunter Newsletter, an employer is out $6,000 when a new hire found through an agency jumps ship after 15 days. Can the employer charge the next employee for quitting? We recently hired an employee using an agency through which he was temping for us. We paid the temp [...]


Open Mic: What’s your problem?

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

Every week in the Ask The Headhunter Newsletter I answer one question from a reader in the traditional Q&A format. From time to time, we have an “open mic,” where you pose the questions on the fly here on the blog. This week, I will do my best to answer any and all questions you [...]


My boss is a liar

Monday, April 16th, 2012

In the April 17, 2012 Ask The Headhunter Newsletter, a reader laments that the boss — uh — doesn’t tell the truth: My boss lies about the availability of projects, about giving bonuses, and about promised help. I suppose the high road is the best and I should keep quiet, but I hate giving into [...]


How long does the headhunter control me?

Monday, April 9th, 2012

In the April 10, 2012 Ask The Headhunter Newsletter, a job hunter asks how to cut the cord to a headhunter: If a recruiter gives a company your resume, how long are you tied to that recruiter concerning that company? For several reasons, I recently lost what I consider to be a great opportunity with [...]


Don’t Get Hired, Get Acquired: Audio from Cornell workshop

Monday, April 2nd, 2012

The April 3, 2012 Ask The Headhunter Newsletter is a SPECIAL AUDIO EDITION. (This is no April Fool!) On Sunday, April 1, I conducted a workshop for a group of Executive MBAs at Cornell’s Johnson School of Management. (These guys attend the EMBA program on weekends!) The topic was the differences between applying for a [...]


Business Cards: What do Asians know?

Monday, March 26th, 2012

In the March 27, 2012 Ask The Headhunter Newsletter, a business owner defends business cards: I just read an article in the L.A. Times that says Passing out business cards is quickly becoming passe. Instead, I’m supposed to “bump” my phone with someone else’s to trade contact information. If cards are optional, then so are [...]


Should I disclose my salary history?

Monday, March 19th, 2012

In the March 20, 2012 Ask The Headhunter Newsletter, a reader worries that disclosing salary history to an employer is not a good idea… What’s the best way to deal with an interviewer who wants to know my salary history and salary requirements? While I know employers always ask this, I feel it takes away [...]