The Internet economy, which grew out of a distinctly technological revolution, turns out to be all about people. The bits and pieces and codes and courtesies that underlie the ‘net have been commoditized. The task at hand is filling desks with the “right” names, paying them with stock options — the Monopoly money of e-business — and figuring out how to make a few bucks in the process.
But polished candidates are hard to find, and the bidding on key players has risen sharply. That’s where the recruiters come in. The truth is, few people working in the Internet business haven’t felt empowered by the explosive growth of Internet stock prices. It has led job seekers to routinely demand salaries of US$50,000-plus for entry-level slots, not including stock options. Recruiters spend time putting muzzles on candidates to save money for their clients.
It’s no secret that having an Internet job can be good for one’s r
