Does a Headhunter Help Find a Better Job?
Looking for a job in a slow economy can be tough. If you've had little luck finding work on your own, you may be wondering whether it's time to enlist the help of a headhunter. Headhunters' work is a lot like a recruiter, except they are not usually employees of any one company. Rather, they have an extensive network of companies and business leaders for whom they find qualified employees.
Other People Are Reading
-
Role
-
The headhunter is sort of like a matchmaker. His job is to match their client companies with the best candidates for the jobs they have open. Thus, when you enlist the help of a headhunter, he will examine his list of client companies and open positions to see if you are a good fit for any in his arsenal.
Benefits
-
The advantage of working with a headhunter is that he typically has contacts within many organizations, and may have the scoop on open positions or those about to become open, even if they are not advertised in newspaper classifieds or job boards. Thus, he may find you a better job than you could find on your own.
-
Reasons
-
Headhunters are essentially relationship-builders. They find key people within organizations and develop deep relationships, so that those people will turn to them when they need help filling positions. Of course, you could do the same on your own, but building such relationships takes time and energy, which you may not have if you're already busy working elsewhere or filling out applications and going on job interviews.
Process
-
Once you identify the headhunter for whom you want to work, you'll have to explain the kind of job you're looking for and why you're uniquely qualified for that type of job. Then, keep in touch. A common mistake people make is to contact recruiters once and then simply wait to hear back, said Brad Remillard, who founded the American Association of Senior Executives, in a 2008 Orange County Register article. After all, headhunters are only human, and they will forget about you if you don't make it a point to stay on their minds.
Considerations
-
Stay away from anyone who bills himself as a headhunter but asks you for money up front. Companies, not individuals, typically pay headhunters. Also, remember that headhunters usually get paid by companies only after making a placement, so headhunters anxious to earn a payment fee may recommend you for a position for which you are not a great fit, and in which you may ultimately be unhappy.
-
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
