Comments (2)

By rashley, June 14, 2009 4:33 pm

What does ‘overqualified’ really mean?

Few comments by employers are as demoralizing to candidates than, “We like you but you are overqualified for this job.” Read why employers tell you you are overqualified and what you can do about it.

READ MORE.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Comments (0)

By admin, October 17, 2008 9:33 am

I didn’t eat the dog food. My counsel to $100,000+ candidates has long been to negotiate a higher base in lieu of stock. Yet I found myself shaking my head in disgust last week. A company for whom I accepted partial payment ( six years ago, for recruiting fees) in shares finally had a liquidity event…with a 20 to 1 reverse split. My six figure options are now three figures.

Early stage companies trade on the wishful thinking for enthusiastic employees. Most people believe it won’t happen to them; or they have protected shares. When a liquidity event occurs, all bets are off. Whatever it takes to make the deal is what happens. I have seen technology leaders invest 90 hour weeks for years in hopes of a huge Microsoft-style reward devastated when the actual return on their life’s investment is a few thousand dollars.

And some companies, large public companies, offset base or reduce raises because they award stock options yearly. Employees are expected to liquidate those stocks and consider them as income rather than a perk or retirement investment.

There are very few truly great outcomes these days for accepting shares instead of cash. Wherever possible, take the money, invest it on your own and be relieved that you don’t have all your eggs in one basket. To have both your income and your investments in one place is rarely a winning proposition, just ask your financial advisor. Don’t have one? All $100,000+ earners need a financial advisor because it isn’t how much you make, it is how much you keep.

For more job search support, click on the buttons on the left.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites