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Why I started MacTalent |
If you have ever been unemployed, or unhappy in your current job, you know how hard it is to find another job. Combing the classifieds every week for jobs. Mailing out resumes "blind" to faceless HR people at companies who never respond. It can be heartbreaking. On the other hand, when an Executive Recruiter calls me up and says, "Doug, I have an opportunity that you might be interested in," I get excited! They called me! And I start thinking, how can I get my name known by all the recruiters in the country who specialize in jobs for Macintosh folk? If you are a contract or freelance worker, you know that the hardest job of all is getting that next assignment. And if you're busy working, you have little time to market yourself. Wouldn't it be great if people who need your exact skillset could find you easily? Long story short, I came up with this idea while chatting with my friend Avi at our local Mac User Group meeting. Avi had just completed a 3 week Applescript programming contract. The question is, where can Avi find his next job? As an avid Internet surfer, I knew the web must be the answer. And so I developed this web site. The rest is history... Doug Noble, |
What makes MacTalent different from agencies and recruiters? |
Temp agencies, jobshops and job placement firms provide a valuable service. They do background checks on their employment pool, take care of payroll, and usually can fill positions quickly. And if you are seeking employment in their price range, it won't hurt to sign up with them, too. BUT... Temp agencies typically mark up your rates by at least 10%, and often as much as 20 - 25%. So if you are being paid $25/hour, the employers is paying the agency $100 - $250 per WEEK. Executive recruiters often get as much as 20% of your first year's salary. Which the employer has to pay. MacTalent is different. More like the "Jobs Wanted" section of the classifieds, but on a nationwide scale. MacTalent lets you advertise yourself directly to employers. There are no agency or placement fees to be paid. You may even be able to negotiate a higher rate/salary. |
How do employers benefit? |
Some employers seldom use temporary agencies or recruiters because of the cost. So they love MacTalent's FREE database. If your talents are what they're after, employers can contact you directly. Another downside of temp agencies (from some employer's perspective) is that temp-to-permanent contracts specify a minimum period at their marked up rate. When you work directly for the employer, it's easier and less costly for them to deal directly with you. |
Why does MacTalent charge me a fee? |
So we can present your talents to employers for free. This draws more employers. And that's what MacTalent is all about. It's a new concept, marketing your talents to a wide audience for a low fee, a small fraction of your first paycheck or project. Other recruiting web sites charge employers and recruiters upwards of $5000 per year to search their database of resumes. MacTalent is free to them to search! |
Can Temp Agencies and Recruiters find me in MacTalent? |
Yes, definitely! We consider temp agencies and recruiting firms to be our friends. They are free to search our database and contact you with opportunities. And we promote MacTalent to them as another way to find the people they need. So, by listing on MacTalent, you are giving yourself greater exposure to the job market. And that CAN'T be bad! |
Should I mail my resume to recruiters? |
Contrary to public perception, Executive Recruiters, also known as headhunters, don't usually do anything with "blind" resumes they receive. (Obviously they do read resumes from people they have contacted!) Recruiters work for employers; they are given a search assignment, possibly on a retainer. If they are successful in locating and placing an individual in a job, they get anthing from 20-35% of the first year's salary as a reward. It's good to build a relationship with recruiters that work in your career area and industry, but don't rely on them to actively work for you to find you a job. See our articleTips For Dealing With Recruiters for more information. |
What about career-marketing firms? |
There are many so called career-marketing or career counseling firms that claim to provide you with a personalized job-search plan, resume-writing assistance and career counseling - and even to find you a great, high paying job! Some of these firms charge large fees, $2000 - $4000 or more. They claim access to the large "unadvertised job pool". An article in the Wall Street Journal "Managing Your Career" column by Tony Lee a few years back indicated that many clients of these firms are dissatisfied and have not been offered positions in spite of paying large up-front fees. From my conversations with recruiters, this holds just as true today. So, while only a small percentage of career counseling firms are dishonest, buyer beware! People who are out of work are very vulnerable and become easy prey to scam artists. The more the firm claims to be able to do for you, the more cautious you should be! "Out placement" firms paid for by employers may offer some value, but my advice is, save your own hard earned dollars for paying the rent or mortgage! |