Definition of Head Hunter
A headhunter, or recruiter, is a professional consultant or internal employee tasked with attracting job applicants. Headhunters can offer more value to companies than human resource managers when it comes to recruiting, because their specialized knowledge of the industry, company and specific job allows them to find and select the candidate who is most perfectly suited.
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Duties
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A headhunter's main job is to locate and recruit high-quality talent that fits well with the open positions. Accomplishing this task requires extensive research and sharp negotiating skills.
Headhunters must thoroughly understand their clients' culture, mission, operating philosophy, industry and structure. They must fully comprehend the requirements of each open position, including the personality types and experience backgrounds best suited to the job.
After attracting prospective employees, headhunters are often required to negotiate salary levels, benefits packages, and additional incentives such as hiring bonuses and relocation assistance.
Types
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Headhunters work in a wide range of industries and recruit for positions at various levels. Some headhunters specialize in executive recruitment, seeking top-performing candidates for the highest positions within a firm. Some specialize in particular industries, such as health care, while others specialize in specific positions, such as technical support.
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Requirements
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A bachelor's degree in a business field is required for most headhunter positions, as the job requires in-depth knowledge of how companies function internally, as well as a mastery of the sales process. According to Total Jobs, industry experience is an important factor in selecting a candidate so he will understand clients' working environments.
Aside from formal qualifications, personality profiles must be considered as well. Headhunting is essentially a sales position and requires much the same skill set as other high-dollar sales positions, such as insurance or automobile sales.
Salary
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According to MyPursuit, headhunters can earn between $30,000 and $85,000 per year, depending on their experience and the level of employees they recruit. A large number of headhunters are paid commissions in addition to flat fees, making it possible for top performers to earn significantly more than average.
Potential
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As such a specialized position, a headhunter job may not lend itself well to internal advancement. Experienced headhunters may, however, be qualified for higher roles in human resource management or sales, which can eventually lead up to an executive position. A good deal of experienced headhunters have opened their own small businesses to move to the next level by leveraging their reputation and industry contacts.
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References
Resources
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