Working with a Headhunter

Why use a headhunter?

There are many excellent reasons why using a headhunter is much better than applying to a company directly or through a contact who already works there.

An experienced headhunter can guide you through every single step of the interview process and give you a lot more insight into the role and company. A good headhunter will help give you background information on the interviewers that you will be meeting with as well as some information on the types of questions that might be asked. Moreover, as you go through each round, they can let you know where you stand relative to the competition, provide you with feedback and help drive the process along. Last but not least, they can help you negotiate the best salary possible without pricing yourself out of the market.

The drawbacks of applying directly to a company or through a contact who works there is that you are pretty much left on your own. There's no one to guide you through the process or let you know where you stand or how you are doing. There's no one to help you chase the interviwers for feedback and each interview is a shot in the dark, without your knowing who you will be talking to or what they do.

So if you can, don't apply directly to a company. Find out which trusted recruitment agents the company works with and go through them.

You'll find that a good recruiter will add so much value to the job search process that you'll never go it alone again.

How do I know if my headhunter is good?

Not all headhunters are created equal.

Like any other industry, there are good headhunters and there are bad, dare we say inept, headhunters.

To find out if your recruiter is good, ask them the following questions:

 •    How strong is your relationship with the client?

 •    How long have you been working with the client?

 •    Do you have direct relationships with the hiring manager?

 •    How many placements have you made with the client?

 •    How well do you know the industry you are working in?

What do I need to be aware of when working with headhunters?

 •    Make sure you keep track of which recruitment agencies you speak to, and which companies and jobs your resume is

      being sent to.

 •    Ensure that you do not duplicate applications to companies. Duplicate submissions dilute the quality of your candidacy

      and reflects poorly on you as well as the agencies involved.

 •    Make time for interviews and be as accomodating to the interviewers as possible. This shows your sincere interest in

      working for a company.