USING HEADHUNTERS

Headhunters - Are they worth the time and effort? There are many thoughts on the subject and the following are a few. If you get one that really works for you, they can be well worth the time. We have had some good luck with them overall in Christian Career Circle, but not all networking groups would agree that they are effective.

HOW DO THEY WORK? - Headhunters often specialize in certain industries, and if they have a good network with Human Resource Departments and hiring managers, they can be useful. However, there are many headhunters who cross all occupational lines and recruit jobs for a variety of job seekers and are not necessarily specializing in a select field.

Typically, headhunters are in contact with companies who are hiring and have an idea what those companies are looking for. Their role is to find a match for the job. In order to be successful and stay in business, they need to make good matches for the client and the company seeking a worker. A GOOD HEADHUNTER WILL GET YOUR RESUME OUT TO FIRMS and will not sit back and wait for one to just cross his/her desk. That is the trick - to find a headhunter who will actually work for you.

HOW DOES ONE BECOME A HEADHUNTER? - Often, they have worked in a given field and have developed a working relationship with firms who hire workers in their field of expertise. Other headhunters can be career counselors or coaches and can also be former job placement officers who have worked in employment and/or temporary agencies.

HEADHUNTERS DIFFER FROM RECRUITMENT SPECIALISTS - Recruitment Specialists are hired by a company to find people to interview for job openings in their firm. Contract employees are usually hired in this manner. Headhunters will get to know you and try to match your skills to a job opening that he/she has in their database. Good ones will stay in touch with you. However, you may want to call them frequently to see how they are doing and let them know you are still job searching.

WHO PAYS HEADHUNTERS? - They are either on retainers (you pay) or on a contingency contract (they get paid by the company once you are employed). There are good, mediocre, and bad headhunters. A good one is worth their weight in gold. Not only can they get you a job, but can put you onto a better one even if you are working, as they stay in touch with you.

HOW DO YOU FIND A GOOD HEADHUNTER? - There are several ways you can locate good, responsible headhunters:

● Ask people in the networking groups that you attend.

● Ask peers, friends, and former co-workers who they would recommend.

● Gatekeepers at firms you visit would have some ideas of good ones.

● Human Resource Directors also would have a list of those they prefer.

● If you belong to Linkedin or other networking web groups, you can do a search for headhunters and get a list. These people may or may not be connected to your group. If they are, it could be helpful, as you are in touch with some of the same people.

● Personnel you meet at job fairs also would have knowledge of headhunters and might have recommendations.

WHO MIGHT HAVE A LIST OF ONES YOU COULD CONSIDER? - Christian Career Circle is developing a list of ones which our alums have had success with. It would be wise to ask members of other networking groups who they would use or are using. Just because one person has found a headhunter who works well for them, does not mean that everyone will have the same success. You will get varied reports on different headhunters.

It is your call on whether to use a headhunter or not. Ask around as you talk with people working in your field and with co-workers who may have an opinion on them.