is it fare to get a bidding war started

[samantha_wong]

Hi,
Some candidates secure job offers from 2 companies and get the companies to bid higher and higher for them. I think this is unethical. Eg. getting both DBS and OCBC to make offers to you, then approach each of them by turns and say "can you do better? I have another offer."
I think such practicals should be banned. What do other say?

I think it's fair and square that companies should pay for what they think a candidate is worth.

Having said that, I think this kind of strategy works only for those higher level staff that are being recruited.

Entry-level staff, management trainees, and other junior ranks - I seriously doubt there will be any 'bidding' war. The banks have fixed salary scales for such lower or entry ranks, and a candidate just have to either take up the offer or leave it.

dont see anything wrong with that. it's a free market and this is one of the practices that will ensure competitive offers of wages. it is a known fact that most companies seek to suppress remuneration packages (to maximise profit) and job seekers are already at a disadvantage for a lack of a transparent environment.

at the end of the day, the company could walk away if they feel that the candidate is not worth a 'higher bid'. that is also the risk that the candidate bears. it's par for the course and i dont see any ethical issues arising at all.

In 1997, Mckinsey & Co coined this term, the "War for talents". If you are a talent and is of great market value to these companies, it is a fair and square game to snatch their talent.

[Intercontinental]

Nothing wrong. Wonderful if you can get that.