It’s not every day I’m contacted by CEO’s of companies that wants to hire me, but when it do happen, they usually have done their research before contacting me. However, this person, who will rename nameless, didn’t do any research about me and offered me a position as a Senior Developer for their company. Which would have been awesome, if I was a developer. Which I’m not. I’m a designer, I only design, never code unless it’s to replace elements in a document or website.

So I sent a friendly reply back, kindly explaining that I was a designer only and didn’t code unless it was basic HTML/CSS, and even that’s a longshot to be honest.

The day after I got a reply saying he was sorry and that he didn’t do his research before contacting me and withdrew his offer of a Senior Developer role in his office. Needless to say, I replied back saying he had nothing to be sorry about and that it’s easy to miss this type of information, as I have been very vague of mentioning it on my website. But in all fairness, it would have taken 2 minutes to figure out that I’m a designer only and not a developer, but I never mentioned that.

A couple of days ago I received another email from another CEO for another Swedish company who wanted to meet me. This person, who also will remain nameless, did his research to a certain degree (at least is seem so) and didn’t offer me a job without meeting me or looking at my previous work. But we did schedule a lunch meeting to get to know each other, which is more than okay and it’s perfectly welcome. That way there’s no strings attached and there’s no pressure for either of us. If the CEO that contacted me a couple of days ago reads this, thank you for contacting me and I look forward to our lunch on monday.

If the CEO from a few weeks ago reads this, thank you for contacting me but please, do an extensive research before headhunting someone a job at a Senior position within your company, you will sound a lot more professional and not as desperate. You didn’t even ask for work samples or a meeting, you just offered me a job on the spot without meeting me in person. That reeks of desperation in my opinion. I could easily have been dishonest and said I was a fantastic developer and I wanted the job. Would you have hired me on the spot as well?

Lucky for you I’m an honest person who always tell the truth.

The moral behind this is that if you’re a CEO or a company who’s headhunting people for a position in your company, do a quick research and contact the person for a meeting to size him/her up before offering a him/her a position. Especially a Senior position.

Don’t sound desperate and tell the person you’re contacting you found his or her work fantastic and that you want to meet to discuss a couple of things. Don’t mention a job until you’ve met the person, that way both parties can avoid any confusion. Ask for a friendly meeting with no strings attached, that way you both can have a relaxed and great meeting.

Ask questions like: What’s your experience? How long have you worked with what you do today? And last but not least. Would you be interested if I offered you an opportunity to work with us?

You don’t have to take my advice if you don’t want to, but whatever you do, don’t be desperate and offer the person a Senior position without asking for a meeting first.