Being Headhunted

There is a natural assumption that an individual who has been headhunted for an executive position must be someone who has the skills, knowledge and expertise required to enable them to command a large salary. In general, individuals must be earning at least £30,000 before they are considered eligible for headhunting but that is as far as the restrictions go. If you fall into that pay bracket, you have a good chance of being headhunted as long as you take charge of your career effectively.

Maximise your chances

Probably the best way of getting yourself noticed by Headhunters is to earn yourself a good reputation for achievement and success in your current role. Participating in industry-specific events, such as meetings or conferences, is an effective way of establishing a network of business contacts as is joining relevant industry bodies. The more people that know about you, the more chance you have of being targeted by those who recruit executive candidates.

Executive recruitment agencies

Invaluable help, information and advice on the headhunting process can be obtained from specialist executive recruitment consultants and agencies. Carry out research to find out which ones have the most experience in your industry sector and initiate contact with them. You will need to work closely with them so it is important that you develop strong relationships with your Headhunter and that they understand exactly the role you are looking for and the salary you expect to command. You should provide them with an up-to-date CV highlighting your key skills and experiences and detailing your academic and professional qualifications. It is also important that you keep your Headhunter updated with any changes in either your requirements or your CV.

The role of Headhunters

The Headhunter is responsible for contacting potential employers on your behalf and for informing you of any suitable vacancies. To enable them to promote you effectively, and to sell particular companies and roles to you, it is essential that you have provided them with detailed and accurate information on both your career ambitions and what you have to offer companies.

The Headhunter will be responsible for liaising between you and potential employers and they will be the ones who provide you with the information you need to make a decision on whether a vacancy is suitable for you or not. If not, you must tell the Headhunter the exact reasons why you are rejecting the position so that they can use this information to tailor their search in the future. It is also important that you do not burn your bridges with your Headhunter by being unprofessional. If, however, the vacancy is just what you are looking for, your CV will be forwarded to the company after which you may or may not be invited for interview. The Headhunter is responsible for finding out the reasons why you were not offered an interview and for providing advice and feedback that may help to improve your chance of success in the future. A Headhunter is extremely experienced and the feedback that they provide should be taken on board.

Secure your own future

If you are successful in reaching the interview stage, it is up to you to sell yourself and there are a number of articles available on this website to advise you on how to conduct yourself in an interview situation. The Headhunter will be involved in any negotiations in the event of a job offer to ensure that your expectations are fulfilled. Once you have settled into your new position, you can expect to hear from the Headhunter again. They will want to make sure that you are happy in your position and it could be to your advantage to maintain a strong relationship with them as you may require their assistance in the future.

Although the Headhunter is there to help you throughout your job search, you have control of your own future and it is your responsibility to ensure that you optimise your chances of success by developing strong relationships with industry professionals and your Headhunter.