Agent speak

danielanthony · 22 Mar 2016 at 16:15

Hi

I've always had a bit of trouble reading in-between the lines, high functioning autism apparently. So, I got this message on LinkedIn just now:

Hi Daniel,
A could solutions company are in urgent need of an experienced OpenStack Technical Lead / Architect, The first task will be to lead their OpenStack migration project. They are an exciting company to work for, can you recommend anyone who may be worth talking to?
Regards

I currently work in OpenStack engineering rather than pre-sales architecture. Is this guy asking me if I think I'm suitable, or really asking me to do his job for him and suggest a suitable candidate? This isn't the first message of this type I've received but usually I just ignore them, this time, I want to know what GD thinks....

Burnsy2023 · 22 Mar 2016 at 16:26

It's certainly not clear - I'm not sure either. Leaning towards recommendation rather than job offer though.

dowie · 22 Mar 2016 at 16:34

danielanthony said:
. Is this guy asking me if I think I'm suitable, or really asking me to do his job for him and suggest a suitable candidate?

the latter logically includes the former

Are you a suitable candidate?

If you are suitable then perhaps speak to him if you're interested in a new job.

Else

Do you know a friend who might be suitable? If you want to do a friend a favour then speak to him(and if you want to earn some money then ask him if there is a referral payment!).

Otherwise ignore/decline/block.

GinG · 22 Mar 2016 at 16:35

Send one back and ask what % commission he pays for client recommendations

tom_e · 22 Mar 2016 at 16:38

Almost all messages I seem to get from recruiters are worded vaguely similar to this although they are normally prefaced with something along the lines of "If this opportunity is unsuitable or you are not interested" then they give it the please pass on to anyone you may know.

danielanthony · 22 Mar 2016 at 17:55

90% of the agent messages I get are clear e.g. Would YOU be looking to move into xyz position?

It's just that 10% are of this type of non-offer message, and if not directed at benefitting me, why should I bother even replying? No mention of a referral bonus!

dowie · 22 Mar 2016 at 18:50

danielanthony said:
why should I bother even replying?

dowie said:
Are you a suitable candidate?

If you are suitable then perhaps speak to him if you're interested in a new job.

wesimmo · 22 Mar 2016 at 19:10

If said recruitment firm have a relationship with your current company, or would like to do business with them, they'll likely not want to put a direct approach to you in writing, but if you were to happen to suggest yourself, hey, what can they do about it?

Or as said above, there is often a referral fee in it for you, and as you're in the field you may well know someone appropriate. Given they'll likely be working on a ridiculous % of the placed candidate's salary, there's plenty of money left in it for the recruitment firm even if they chuck you a few hundred for a referral.

llamadal · 24 Mar 2016 at 08:20

It's just another way of finding out if your interested, very common.

If you are, just say you are and get more details or if it's not for you, find out if they do a decent referral fee if you think you know someone who might be a good fit.