USING HEADHUNTERS

Headhunters, are they worth the time and effort? There are many thoughts on the subject and 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 fortune with them overall in Christian Career Circle, but not all networking groups would agree that they are effective.

Headhunters often specialize in certain industries, and if they have a good network with HR and Hiring Managers they can be worth it.

HOW DO THEY WORK?

Usually headhunters are in contact with companies that are hiring and have an idea what they are looking for. A good one will get to know you and will try to match your skills to a job opening that he/she has in their database. Their role is to find a match for the job, and if they are to be successful and stay in business they need to make good matches for the client and the company seeking a worker or they will not be in business very long. 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.

Many headhunters cross all occupational lines and recruit jobs for a variety of job seekers and are not necessarily specializing in headhunting for a select field.

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 his/her field of expertise. Other headhunters can be career counselors or coaches and can also be former job placement officers who have worked in employment/temp services.

HEADHUTERS DIFFER FROM RECRUITMENT SPECIALISTS – who are hired by a company to find persons to interview for job openings in their firm. Contract employees are usually hired in this manner. Headhunters usually get to know you and try to create a match between your skills and a company. GOOD ONES stay in touch with you though you may want to call them frequently to see how they are doing and to 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

*HR managers 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 I COULD CONSIDER?

Christian Career Circle is developing a list of ones our alums have had success with.

It would be wise to ask members of other networking groups who they would or are using. Because one individual has found one that 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 persons working in your field and with co-workers who may have an opinion on them.

ANOTHER SOURCE OF JOB SEARCHING is using a fax service who faxes your resume to companies in given locations. We have one alum who has used a company called www.jobsbyfax and liked the results. There is a charge for the service of about $135.00 for sending out 1,000 faxes and if you do not get a job from it they will re-fax your resume for free. Certainly this is another consideration for you to consider and an additional way of getting your resume to employers.

Bob Raikes, NCCC Coordinator of SHM Christian Career Circle