I'm writing this not just as a recruiter, but as someone who genuinely wants to see talented professionals succeed. What happened this week reminded me why maintaining professional relationships and keeping conversations open can literally change your life—and why burning bridges might be the most expensive mistake you're making in your career.
The €30,000 Wake-Up Call
A role I'm currently working on in Cyprus's competitive fintech sector started with a €50,000 per year budget. After several weeks of searching for the right seniority level, we couldn't find the perfect match within that range. Then something beautiful happened: the client came back to me and said, "Ok, we'll go to €80,000 if you can bring us the right person."
That's a €30,000 per year difference. Let that sink in.
That's a life-changing raise for most people. That's a new mortgage, school fees covered, breathing room for your family, or the financial freedom to pursue goals you've been putting on hold. That's the kind of opportunity that transforms not just your bank account, but your entire life trajectory.
But here's the part that keeps me up at night.
The Missed Connections
When I initially reached out to candidates at the €50,000 level, the responses were disheartening. Most simply ignored my messages. Others gave flat-out rejections without even engaging in a conversation. They made assumptions that the number I quoted was final, non-negotiable, set in stone.
They didn't ask questions about the role's potential for growth. They didn't inquire about the company's trajectory or future opportunities. They didn't share what they would need to consider making a move. They just disappeared.
So when the budget increased significantly, I had no one to call back. These talented professionals had no idea what they'd just missed—and I had no way to reach them with the news that could have changed their careers.
The Reality of Recruitment Budgets
Here's what many candidates don't understand about how recruitment really works, especially in Cyprus's dynamic business environment where companies are scaling rapidly across fintech, iGaming, and technology sectors: budgets are fluid.
As recruiters, we don't always control the initial budget. Companies often start conservative, testing the market to see what's available. But when the right talent is scarce—which it often is in our specialized sectors—smart employers adjust their expectations and their budgets accordingly.
What we do control is the shortlist. We control who gets called when new opportunities arise, when budgets increase, or when similar roles become available. We control who gets remembered when the next perfect opportunity comes along.
When you burn a bridge by ghosting, shutting down conversations, or refusing to engage unless every detail is already "perfect," you're not just declining that one opportunity. You're removing yourself from future consideration entirely.
The Art of Staying in the Conversation
I'm not suggesting you should accept roles that don't meet your requirements. I'm not asking you to compromise your worth or settle for less than you deserve. What I'm advocating for is something much simpler and infinitely more powerful: keeping the conversation alive.
When an opportunity doesn't initially meet your expectations, instead of disappearing, try this approach:
"Thank you for thinking of me. While the current package doesn't align with my requirements, I'd be interested in discussing roles in the €X range, or opportunities with Y benefits, or positions that offer Z growth potential."
This tells me exactly what you need. It keeps you on my radar for future opportunities. It shows you're professional, thoughtful, and open to dialogue.
Building Relationships, Not Just Chasing Numbers
The recruitment industry in Cyprus is smaller than you might think, especially within specialized sectors. The recruiter you dismiss today might be the person who calls you next month with your dream role. The opportunity you brush off without consideration might lead to a conversation about a better position.
At SMO Careers, we've built our reputation on trust-first relationships with both clients and candidates. We remember the professionals who engage thoughtfully, even when the immediate opportunity isn't perfect. We fight harder for candidates who've shown us respect and professionalism, even in situations where we couldn't immediately meet their needs.
We've seen countless examples of candidates who stayed engaged with us landing roles that exceeded their initial expectations—sometimes with the same clients who started with lower budgets, sometimes with entirely different opportunities that arose because we knew exactly what they were looking for.
The Long Game Approach
Your career isn't built on single opportunities—it's built on relationships, reputation, and being positioned for the right moment when it arrives. In Cyprus's competitive talent market, where demand for skilled professionals in fintech, iGaming, technology, and accounting continues to outpace supply, maintaining positive relationships with recruitment partners isn't just smart—it's essential.
The candidate who graciously declines but stays connected is the first person I call when a similar role opens with a better package. The professional who takes time to explain their requirements becomes someone I actively think about when new opportunities arise.
The Bottom Line
You never know who's fighting for you behind the scenes. You never know when budgets will change, when new roles will open, or when the perfect opportunity will arise. But here's what I can guarantee: we can't fight for people we've lost contact with.
Don't walk away from conversations just because the initial offer isn't perfect. You don't have to say yes to everything, but you should say something. Share your requirements, express your interests, maintain the relationship.
Because somewhere out there, your career-changing opportunity is waiting. And when it arrives, you want to make sure you're still in the conversation.
Ready to explore opportunities that align with your career goals and compensation expectations? At SMO Careers, we believe in building lasting relationships with top talent across Cyprus's thriving fintech, iGaming, technology, and accounting sectors. Visit smo.careers to connect with recruiters who understand your worth and fight for the opportunities you deserve.
