Comments on: This and That: Best bets for a bull market and more…

By: MDJ

MDJ — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:57:39 +0000

A little late, but thanks for the link!

By: Gail

Gail — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:35:07 +0000

Thanks for he mention CC. g

By: Phil S

Phil S — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:23:46 +0000

Hi CC. I personally think it is better that they went about asking that question the way they did… I can demonstrate the track record that I had before and they know where I’m coming from. Also, I don’t really know what I “want” per se, as money talks so the more the better – but I’m open to entertaining to what they have to offer. Again, that’s still getting a bit ahead of the situation. They now have 13 candidates to consider and we need to know as a baseline whether they are interested in my skills and knowledge compared to the other candidates before we figure out what they’re willing to pay for it.

By: Canadian Capitalist

Canadian Capitalist — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:26:39 +0000

@Michael: The Earl Jones clients could have avoided trouble by running a background check. I understand he was operating outside the regulatory framework.

@DGI: Thanks for posting the Buffett Partnership letters. It makes for some interesting reading.

@Phil: It sounds like your potential employer really intended to find out your salary expectations for the position you were interviewed for. If so, they could have asked that directly, instead of asking for your salary in the previous position.

@FM: According to reports, Earl Jones was operating outside the regulatory framework. No amount of rules and regulations can prevent frauds like this. It is up to clients to check their advisor’s background.

By: Thicken My Wallet

Thicken My Wallet — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:39:58 +0000

Thanks for the link. Have a good weekend!

By: Finance Matters

Finance Matters — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:37:12 +0000

I don’t quite understand how these “advisors” get the money in their hands. I work through my MFDA and Insurance licenses through my firm and my MGA . When placing business for clients, whether it’s GIC’s or mutual/seg funds etc., never does a client write a cheque to me, my firm or my MGA. The funds go directly to the institution where the investment id held.

By: Phil S

Phil S — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:31:10 +0000

I personally don’t see any problems with disclosing my past compensation during an interview. Just last week, I was in an interview and was asked that very same question. The interviewer stated that they can’t match it with the current position being offered. I have no problems with that, it creates an open discussion about compensation.

I was still called for a second interview despite the mutually acknowledged difference in compensation and should I get so far as to receive an offer, I am open to looking at the offer. It doesn’t mean that I have to accept it and it doesn’t mean that I can’t bring it up as a conversation piece in a future discussion, such as talking about whether they may be interested in bringing me in as a contract employee instead.

My previous employer paid for some time to talk to a career counselor and she said that you need to always negotiate from a position of strength. So, I’m to wait to see if they decide that they want me in particular before we get into the nitty gritty on compensation. But being open about it allows us to have an understanding of each other before we get into that discussion.

By: Phil S

Phil S — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:07:18 +0000

The starter home versus once-and-done discussion is an interesting one. I think the general consensus in that blog is that it’s different for everybody and varies depending upon your personal situation.

For me personally, my employment situation has always been on very shaky ground. So for me, the starter home concept (actually a condo) gives me more peace of mind because I can’t handle a 10+ yr mortgage hanging over my head. My current home is the second place I’ve bought (in totally different cities, proving my point) and in both cases, I’ve stuck with a 5-yr variable rate mortgage with the flexibility to let me pay it off in 3 yrs because that’s the most debt that I’m comfortable with due to my employment situation…

By: Preet

Preet — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:58:34 +0000

Thanks for the link CC – have a great weekend!

By: Dividend Growth Investor

Dividend Growth Investor — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:00:41 +0000

Thanks for the link love CC. I did enjoy Buffett’s January 1962 letter to partners, where he discussed his strategies that enabled him to make his first million.

Have a nice weekend!