How to own your professional worth

How to own your professional worth

I received a call from a recruitment firm recently for a position as a content writer with one of their clients. When the caller asked me how much money I expect in order to accept the position, she was completely taken aback when I told her I won’t move for less than a 100 per cent pay hike. Scornfully she asks me “Can you tell me why you expect that kind of money?”

We’ve all been through experiences like this I’m sure, where recruiters belittle our expectations and ridicule our goals. And often we let them, because most of us don’t believe we have a right to ask, no demand, a substantial pay hike. I’ve even had a recruiter tell me I had better lower my expectations because no one is going to pay me so much. Honestly, at the time, I didn’t know what to say.

For many recruiters it is part of their ‘responsibility’ to shortlist as many qualified candidates for as little money as possible. This means it’s up to me to stand up for myself and defend my professional worth.

So what should I have said to these recruiters? Should I have lost my temper or made a cutting remark? No.

I should have explained exactly what I bring to the table saying, “Well, I’m sure that you can find candidates for half the amount of money that I’m expecting, but what your client will be compromising on is both quantity and quality. I can produce impeccable work in half the amount of time that most other writers can, which means that my boss won’t have to spend hours editing my work, and he will also receive twice the amount of work from me than if he hired someone else.”

That statement is not offensive to either the recruiter or the client, but clearly conveys the message that I won’t be compromising on my worth as a professional. The trick is to be confident not fat-headed.

Sure, if I had lowered my salary expectations like the recruiter had suggested I’m sure more interviews would be coming my way. But that would come at the cost of less money, self-respect and overall job satisfaction – a very steep price to pay.

Have you had similar experiences with recruitment teams? Or has it been completely to the contrary? If you have, how did you handle it?

Deepak Shah

Senior Marketing and Brand Management professional.

10 年

You have to build and understand your own value in the job market. If you do not know or push your worth, do not expect a head hunter to do that for you. He/she earns commission from the client and not you. Organizations assess the value and thus price a position and not the individual who will occupy that position. Extra maybe given to an exceptional candidate.

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Mahesh Laxman

Independent consultant

10 年

An absolutely right way to go about your professional career growth !.. if you have the confidence to deliver good work, there's no need to compromise on your expectations !

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Philip George

Associate Vice President - Marketing & Sales

10 年

Professional worth of a person increases with expertise and experience in the given subject, backed by assignments and organizations one has worked in. Considering the limited availability... there is always scope for a really good person to keep growing vertically in both job and remuneration . No reason to compromise... unless it is for a specific reason. Good approach Leah..

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Anne Sakharia

Faculty - English

10 年

As someone who worked in executive resourcing I can tell you that it does often work when you refuse to lower your expectations. Confidence in a non-cocky form and good work are among the many desirable qualities sought after.

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Breecher Copy Writing Solutions

Marketing Directors: Build Your Audience, Attract New Readers, Make More Sales

10 年

Good for you Leah for standing up for your self worth and being specific about how you did it. You are truly worth what you believe you are worth if you can deliver the goods. Your above statement indicates that you can.

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