Headhunting - A Guide To The Sport
The most flattering way to get a new job is to be headhunted. Besides the boost to your ego, you may get more money and work for a company that recognises and values your skills and achievements.
Headhunters and Recruitment Consultants are used by employers to find exactly the person they need. They are all paid a commission to match the right candidate to a job vacancy.
Although headhunting is still a new concept to a lot of people in Britain, it is accepted practice in America to look for the sort of candidates who would benefit your company and approach them through a Headhunting or Executive Search company. Headhunting for senior roles has also been commonplace for many years but the advent of online CV databases has now enabled recruiters to target candidates directly, often using similar techniques.
There are now many firms that specialise in procuring desired candidates for their clients. On this page we discuss some basic methods to help you improve your chances of being headhunted.
How to get noticed by a headhunter
You could be spotted in your current role. This can happen in any industry, whatever level you work at from call centre operative to senior management level. Talent spotting is not reserved exclusively for reality TV. Your skills and talents can be recognised in any job, at any time. You may be asked to form a new department, shoulder more responsibility or a friend at a rival store may ask you to join them. You must be ready for every opportunity so always have your CV up to date.
You can also make yourself available to recruiters in a number of ways. The most effective is to select a suitable online CV database and add your CV. This will enable headhunters and recruiters to view your CV and contact you to discuss new opportunities. Many large internet job boards also operate CV database services and they are generally easy to use.
Be aware that most CV databases charge a subscription fee to recruiters in order to view CVs. For this reason it is important to either target which website(s) you use very carefully or to add your CV to as many sites as possible. Don't forget that many large companies also have access to such databases and may come across your CV when searching for potential candidates!
There are many ways that you can improve your chances of being selected by a firm who desperately wants YOU.
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Approach headhunting, executive search or recruitment consultancy companies yourself be proactive
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Be ready and on the lookout for opportunities. If you are engaged in your environment you will impress others
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Improve your knowledge base. Become more involved in your career, learn as much as you can
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Always seek to gain recognition of your knowledge by writing papers or leading key projects
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Improve your networking skills and stay in touch with your contacts, both work related and personal
Executive Search / Recruitment Agencies
Care must be taken to get the best out of a relationship with an executive search company or a recruitment agency. Here are some tips to help you.
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Keep in mind that the client is paying a professional, to find suitable candidates. Headhunters are not there just to help you find a job; they are ultimately working for their client and their commission, so keep this in your mind
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Be honest about yourself, your experience, skills and qualifications. If you lie you could be found out and dismissed. Some companies are now employing CV verification services to make sure that all details are correct
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Keep all appointments and return any calls promptly; always keep in touch with them. Be proactive, be memorable
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Listen to what you are being asked to do, if you are unsure about anything that you have been told, always check
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Always check that you have all of the correct details for any appointments or interviews, including directions
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Do your research before any interviews, you can check www.ft.com to see if the company is listed, also look online
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Get up to speed on current events, especially if they are industry related and also be prepared to talk about them
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Think about any job offer carefully, ensure that it matches the job specification that you were provided
- Do not be afraid to ask your consultant for help and their views on how you should answer tough interview questions
