We are humbled and gratified by the response over the last year to Higher Bracket's concept. We will continue to drive hard to exceed our subscriber's expectations and provide the top employers in Canada with uncluttered access to the best talent in the country.
Selected subscriber's thoughts:
"The information was great. I printed it out and will try and follow up on all your suggestions. The market is not only tough and who you know but it is hard to get the right people who can even understand your potential and your resume."
Gary B. Toronto ON
"Hi Monique, thanks for all your help. Your site is fantastic, My job search was losing steam, but I have had 3 very good interviews from postings on HigherBracket.ca and I anticipate one going to offer at the end of this week. Where were you guys 3 years ago!"
Gary L. Vancouver BC
"I just wanted to let you know that HigherBracket "rocks!" By utilizing your services, I just landed my new executive job.
Thank-you HigherBracket for helping make my career dreams come true.
I would also like to commend HigherBracket for the excellent customer service that I have experienced! The experience I have had with your service has been first rate! Everything has run smoothly for me and I have already recommended your services to some of my colleagues who are looking to move their careers forward."
Janice M. Oakville ON
"Thank you for your website, I have spent hours on the net trying to find a few jobs to apply to. I think one afternoon on your site is worth about 3 or 4 days aimlessly wandering about cyberspace! What a time saver."
Liz G. Hamilton ON
"Thanks Monique, your help ensuring that my resume got through to (name withheld) was really appreciated. You have a great service, and I know of 3 others that have signed up on my recommendation."
Tracy M. North Vancouver BC
"What a fabulous resource your website is! I have recently found a director of finance position with (company withheld) through higherbracket.ca. Before finding your site, I was very frustrated going to several sites per day and still not coming up with opportunities that fit my experience level. I could not believe how many opportunities you have. I will refer you to my colleagues with pleasure."
Trish D. Calgary AB
"I do want to thank you for your great web site. I have told many people about your site including some outplacement agencies so they can pass it on to their clients. Your newsletter articles were helpful with interviews, resume writing etc. In addition many articles kept my self esteem high and kept me motivated to push myself.
I will continue to promote this site both to candidates and potential employers. Please keep up the great work."
James T. Kirkland QC
"The higher bracket jobs are difficult to find so having your service available is a great advantage to job seekers."
Susan W. Brampton ON
"Thanks for answering my questions so promptly Monique, I can see now why Higher Bracket elevates my resume in the eyes of the recruiter, and I agree that the access to Canadian executive jobs that you provide is unavailable elsewhere else."
Jeremy V. North York ON
"I have just landed a Director of Sales position that I found on higher bracket and I wanted to let you know how great your site is. I am very glad this type of service is available in Canada."
David H. Calgary AB
"you have a great system that offers some great opportunities for us all out here. I'm sure I will use you again when the time comes.
Thank you again."
Barry C. Toronto ON
"I Just wanted to say thank you for the feedback on my resume. I found the input to be frank and insightful.
Appreciate the service."
Anne M. Toronto ON
"Thank you for the great service. I have landed a new position in Calgary and I anticipate earning significantly more this year than I did last year. Your site was instrumental in my job search!"
Douglas M. Airdrie AB
"The service is a good one. I found my new position through your website. Keep up the excellent work.
Kind regards,"
George M. North York ON
"I would also like to thank you for your website. It has been extremely helpful and informative; I would not hesitate to recommend your web site to other colleagues, very well done.
Thank you again."
Tony S. Bolton ON
"Monique, many thanks for looking after this account. I am very impressed with the concept of your website and the quality of the information."
Bob G. Montreal QC
"Your services are first class!"
Stuart H.
"Sharon' s (free resume critique) feedback was excellent. I took pride in being able to write a reasonable resume and she pointed out a number of things that I needed to change to better position myself in the market place - it was time well spent."
Michael P.
"Thank you for your message, your website is absolutely great!!"
Rosalyn C.
"I think that your service is a great idea and certainly an excellent time-saver!"
Connie H.
Selected email string:
First email: November 7th
From: Scott M. via shaw.ca
To: Employer Services at HigherBracket.ca
Subject: You charge the people you are trying to solicit ????
Can you say SCAM....
I am a CA looking to re-locate back to Ontario. I've lived and worked in BC for the past 12 years. I find it humorous that an internet company such as yours would try and nickel and dime your perspective client base with these obviously misleading, overstated, irrelevant job postings.
A ligit co. would take the finders fee from the "back end".
Scott M, CA, CPA
Higher Bracket's reply: November 8th
From: Anthony@HigherBracket.ca
To: Scott M. via shaw.ca
Subject: RE: You charge the people you are trying to solicit ????
Good morning Scott,
My employer services group sent me your email and I wanted to thank you for your feedback on HigherBracket.ca... I think.
I understand the reaction you have had based on the fact that we are turning the entire job board business model upside down. This isn't my or my team's first foray into this arena either. The problem is that the current business model does not work for executive jobs. There is a reason that you cannot find the majority of the jobs that we have on HigherBracket on the big boards. Recruiters and corporate HR managers are loathe to post highly sought after $100K plus opportunities on open to the public boards because they return too many unqualified responses. I don't just mean a few either, place a $185K posting for a VP of sales in Toronto on Canada's biggest general board and you will get about 3000 resumes.
So the value proposition is clear to the recruiter... we don't charge them to post their six figure opportunities with us, and we give them qualified response, so they post lots of jobs with us. We are by a large margin the largest executive job board in Canada.
So what is the value to the job seeker? We have the jobs, no fluff, just thousands of jobs all in one place. The fee that we charge keeps out those who do not belong hunting in this bracket. Because recruiters get only qualified response, (in our previous example they may get 18 to 25 resumes) they keep giving us the jobs.
We are a media company, we do not take "finders fees" as we prefer to leave the recruiting business to the professionals. We will continue to grow at a staggering 18% per month by concentrating on providing the best possible value we can to those who subscribe to our services.
We wish you all the best in your re-location, I doubt that my diatribe has done much to sway your strong opinions, but check back in a year and we will still be here, still providing value to our subscriber base.
Sincerely,
Anthony Kaul
Scott's Reply: November 8th
To: Anthony Kaul
From: Scott M. via shaw.ca
Subject: RE: You charge the people you are trying to solicit ????
Dear Anthony,
I wanted to thank you for taking the time to write. I respect someone that will stand up to my occasional ranting. I have a couple of questions regarding your business model, some points I have difficulty getting my head around.
First, I appreciate that a high salaried position in Toronto would generate far too many unqualified responses. I would not disagree with the figures you have quoted. But, how does your website weed out the unqualified. for the nominal price of a Starbuck's my gardener (if I had one) could have access to your website. I don't understand how this creates a hurdle to the unqualified. Have you not just pushed the burden of separating the "wheat from the chaff" from the shoulders of the recruiter, onto HigherBracket.ca
Second, you do not charge the recruiter, and the fee charged to the applicant is nominal - so obviously (revenue speaking), I'm missing something here.
Congrats on the growth rate. That is impressive. I appreciate you taking the time to write, no need to reply. I actually feel guilty wasting your time.
Scott
Higher Bracket's Reply: November 8th
From: Anthony Kaul
To: Scott M. via shaw.ca
Subject: RE: You charge the people you are trying to solicit ????
Good evening Scott,
Good points all. Regarding the $34 bucks as a barrier to entry I am quite confident that it would work even if it was $5.00. The psychology of a $40K earner when they blitz 50 jobs on a big board like Monster or Workopolis is similar to the psychology of purchasing lottery tickets. The reward is great and the risk is negligible. In the back of the unqualified's mind is the thought that as it only takes me 45 seconds so why not. If we asked them to pay a user fee then the sensible side of the brain kicks in and says "hey, I am not even remotely qualified for this VP position, and I could buy a coffee at Starbuck's with the cash."
Hiring Managers have been using barriers to entry for years, some tactics like the hand written cover letter are well known, any hoop you can put the applicant through cuts response, and the idea is that if you want the job bad enough you will... "deliver by mail only" (even if there is no postal code and you have to look it up) or write a cover letter in your best cursive.
On the implied question of how we keep the lights on with only $34 a throw and no ad revenue coming from the recruiters, it is a matter of scale and renewal. The average executive job search in Canada is estimated to take one month for every $10K over $50K in salary. (I know what you are thinking, and I don't know who makes this stuff up either?) What I do know is that the average subscriber stays for longer than a few months so their enterprise value is greater than the initial $34.00. As we are not the flashiest website in the world, they must stay because they find value here.
Hope this finds you well.
Anthony
Scott's Reply: November 18th
To: Anthony Kaul
From: Scott M. via shaw.ca
Subject: RE: You charge the people you are trying to solicit ????
Hi Anthony:
I've been out of town most of this week and am just now, relaxing at home. Earlier this evening, I signed up on your website. I feel that you have earned a 2 - 3 month review.
I appreciate your newsletter and welcome receiving future issues.
Thank you.
Scott
Further Communication From Scott: December 17th
To: Anthony Kaul
From: Scott M. via shaw.ca
Subject: RE: Just touching base.
Hi Anthony:
Thanks for keeping tab's on me. I've scanned your website 2 or 3 times, but have not had a chance to update my resume. It's one of those jobs I leave for the weekend and when the weekend rolls around - it's the last thing I want to do.
I will definitely forward my resume (for free resume assessment) once it is in 'working order'.
I can honestly say that your website looks like it will provide value to my future job search. Especially, considering that I am not adverse to moving. It provides one location, where I can find a fair number of interesting positions.
Thanks
Scott
Further Communication From Scott: January 18th
To: Member Services at HigherBracket.ca
From: Scott M. via shaw.ca
Subject: Credit card stmnt
Hi:
I've been intending to write to you over the week. Can I convert this January payment into a 6 month payment?
Thanks - like the service.
Scott.