Let me begin with a story. A new kind of a story. It isn't a pointed story but a generic one and a lesson to learn from. And here goes.

"... I should curse myself for that thinking. The very same thinking of applying for a job posting in some dumb website. After applying and unaware of having submitted one, I get a call from some consultant who doesn't has his own website and says that he is looking for people interested in the technology I was looking for and thus, I ended up mailing my resume. The voice was quite eased, casual in tone and extremely friendly at the beginning, just like you enter into a 5-star restaurant and the waiter/bill man greets with a smile and you're unaware of the price list shock thereafter. And so, believing the tone and the confidence he invoked, I blindly mailed. An experienced profile, who has seen a bit of professionalism and an etiquette of high standards and manners. Being the global company I worked in, those teachings should be praised as they taught me how to behave with customers and people in a very friendly and calm manner. Now I hope this converts into a "resume" of a professional and if it hasn't please tell me so that I could change it back to "Curriculum Vitae" ~ a tag used for freshly passed out job seekers, or basically, inexperienced candidates.

Getting back, this same consultant shoots back about the salary needs and the amount of interest to work. The pressure that was put in that two-minute call was so immense as if I was sanctioning the next financial policy of a country and I don't know the after effects of it; to the fact that I'd be held responsible for the drastic effects oozing out. I was completely oblivious to the fact about how the job consulting industry works in a country away from mine and was quite new to such experiences since my work was in a single organization and I was not looking for any opportunities elsewhere. Henceforth, I agreed to his terms and got my scheduled appointment of interview. But now, things got haywire. I forget to wake up due to extreme exhaustion on the previous day and the location to be met was a place which takes a minimum of two full hours of journey time. And now, this fellow calls up and starts abusing about my unprofessional behavior. I admitted that it was my mistake, which it truly was, but just as I wanted to inform this person, his abuses became intolerable.

This fellow now starts getting personal, gets on to my upbringing and his occurrence of things extremely personal which, no one actually never listens but to curse my circumstances, I had to, after cooling him down and telling him not to repeat them. I quickly apologized, called the company's HR, rescheduled my interview time and had a discussion with them. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised about the way they treated me and was equally sad for the language, this consultant spoke in. Being a consultant itself proves that you want to live life on your own but one cannot buy the fact that you get the authority of abusing people who are actually standing on their little fingers just to bag the job and somehow, control their personal commitments. I admit that it was my mistake and apologized but the way of abusing itself proves who is professional here.

Now, more things have happened. After the interview, I call up this fellow and he calmly says that he would get back to me after checking with the company people. His answers were quite trustworthy but I couldn't take them as I'd seen people back home not responding professionally if rejected or anything of the matter. Curious of the fact, I called up the company to know my status. They inform me to check with my "agent" and would be in touch with him. This agent now comes to know about this and blasts again with a full-on lecture about the company culture and what not. Being the most professional in my company and having no such complaints ever in my life, this was like a taken-aback statement.

Since, I wanted a higher salary, I hinted him about my other ongoing job interviews and the confidence I had from them. Now, this fellow comes back with another pressure to choose between me and another candidate who is ready to work even for free. What should I do now? Cancel the ongoing process or budge to his demands and admit that I'm ready to work for any offered salary?"

The story appears quite visible to you. Isn't it? Especially for people who're unknown of such experiences. Also, there might a high probability that it would've happened to anyone around. Looks like our story fellow is quite an adventurous person who takes risks, learns mistakes and then mends them and finally, moves on. So, going further, some points for people who are striving for jobs via consultants:

1. Be frank. They are linkers to the companies and can put in their own voice of opinion into your profile as the company people believe them more. So, better have an honest appearance.

2. They are powerful enough. Especially the senior cadre. Never mess with them. Never! You'll learn your lesson quite hard in that if you attempt to risk.

3. They know the job market. So you either seek advice from them if no one appears in your circles or if you do not know how the system works if this is your first job. After a few inputs and ideas, you're on your own. No one will guide you after. Not even your instinct!

4. Be polite to them even though you don't like the behavior from their side. Yes! They are quite expecting, more than the companies themselves, so you better buck up in this regard.

5. They sometimes pressurize you quite hard to take a decision. It's your call to sound it professional, rather to say a Yes/No or just get onto the learning wagon and getting the chapter tougher.

6. Never treat them as your friend. Never! They are chains after all, giving you a job opportunity thereby connecting people. It'd be foolish on your part to assume friendliness and a lopsided attitude towards you.

7. Don't tell them hazy scenarios. This one will take your breath for a moment if you're not aware of them as this post stands mainly on this fact. They might assume on their part, but not from your side, as they have a job position to close and thousands would be applying for them. And they assume things very randomly, so you better be clear of your objectives.

8. Keep your salary expectations either in market range and confirm your attendance if you don't want to reveal or tell them a straight figure. Period. It was stupid on the storyteller's behalf that he assumed the company would offer him in a way based on experience. After all, you want a job for yourself and the bottom-line is to earn money. It is okay if you don't get further than getting into an argument with your consultant to "flex" options.

9. "Even though you might smell good now, after two hours people might come towards you and give a nasty look based on your sweaty shirt. Be aware of this minor fact" - as told by the protagonist, the consultant.

10. Be ready for big lectures if the consultant is in a very senior position. About company cultures and perfumed footwear. You might not buy this even though you're right in your attire and attitude but your circumstances are not that green enough for you to argue.

11. The consultant is your single point of contact. That's it! Never dare to call the company people even if you left your laptop during the interview in their meeting rooms or anything you need from them to be responded. Everything has to go through this contact. Every little information! The consultants are professionals, so rest assured, you will be informed of any outcomes.

12. You'll have an upper hand if your experience is *relevant* to the position applied. Only then the salary payment shoots up. Just because you've experience/exposure to that industry doesn't mean that you can be tagged similar to the ones who've worked in those fields in the same duration as you've worked for. They stand an upper hand, for obvious reasons.

13. Never speak about your offers unless you have hard copies of their conformance. This is the most trickiest part while negotiating salaries as the ball is in your court and you have the full authority to swing if you've been found as a valid candidate. Otherwise, shut your mouth, literally and accept what he says and think it over, if negotiations are in progress. Never give the chance to snatch the ball and make yourself suffer for your expectations.

14. To end this, demand what you feel. Only if, you've done the interviews right and you know you'd be called for an offer discussion. Just that, demand. It's their headache to communicate to the companies whether they'll buy this or not. Not yours. Don't worry about your image. Nobody else cares either.

Apart from those basic points, remember one simple thing. Always. "If the consultant is rude/abusive and is unprofessional, irrelevant to his seniority or whatever, and he demands the exact opposite of it, then he is not worth of your precious time. Period." Move on. There are more to help you out.

P.S: The story is entirely hypothetical. Any such incidents or occurrences in real life are meant to be understood as pure co-incidence and not connected in any format or part whatsoever.

P.P.S: I don't care whom if it would've referred to in real. If yes, then read the points and get a life!