Best Practices When Working With A Headhunter – 7 Tips For Candidates

Searching for a new opportunity is exhausting, but the good news is you don’t have to go through it all alone. An effective headhunter who specialises in your sector or location can make this process exciting and stress-free.

Here’s 7 tips for finding, selecting, and getting the most out such an important relationship;

?1. Find an industry or location specific headhunter

LinkedIn search

Every competent headhunter is on LinkedIn – fact. Use the search bar and put in the word “headhunter” alongside your specific sector or location (For example, "Headhunter North West"). Always make sure you choose your desired country.

Use your network

Proficient headhunters should have already reached out to you in some way, or at least made themselves visible to you. Never-the-less, you can ask old managers, close work friends, colleagues you meet at trade shows/exhibitions, or even your old HR department!

2. Interview the headhunter

Professional athletes, celebrities, musicians, etc have an agent to represent them professionally. These professionals are careful to select someone who understands their needs and goals. Think of your headhunter as an agent who can provide guidance, consultation, and can also present your skill-set effectively in front of the right people.

Ask about the headhunters background, tenure in the industry, contacts, their process in identifying opportunities, references/referrals, and ask colleagues whether they have heard about this specific representative.

3. Be selective

As with any industry, not all headhunters are credible. From the questions you ask, you will begin to develop a good idea of the headhunter’s capabilities. You can also judge the headhunter’s competence by the quality of their questioning. It’s their job to gather useful information, so they can advise you correctly and present you efficiently.

Choose the person you feel most comfortable with and begin developing your relationship.

 4. Be honest, open, and direct

Be upfront about your job history, compensation history, experience, and your next role expectations. Be prepared to provide professional references or recommendations, or better yet, supply them alongside your CV before you're asked for them. Additionally, if you are not clear and direct with what you’re looking for in your next role, that can hurt you too. The more accurate the information you provide, the better the Headhunter can operate on your behalf. Don’t worry about confidentiality, if you’ve selected your headhunter properly, then all communication is protected.

 5. Trust & Engage

Here’s a brief look at what a good Headhunter will do for you;

Understand your experience, goals, & requirements, present you to their list of clients and suitable organisations, organise interviews/meetings, prepare you for each interview, debrief with you and your interviewers, overcome client concerns, negotiate remuneration on your behalf, consult on employment contracts, and help with your induction.

An experienced headhunter will have expertise in each of the above processes and will have specific & helpful information no one else can provide you with. Trust in them and listen to their advice.

6. Develop a long-term relationship

Unfortunately, headhunters are not always successful. They are subjected to economic changes and difficult markets. Sometimes it’s not possible to facilitate your dream career change. For this reason, you should always consider the future when developing a relationship. A headhunter can quickly turn into a good colleague who can support you throughout your entire career and facilitate multiple career changes for you over a period of decades. Not only that, but they can be a great source of referral exchanges, general advice, and market specific information.

7. Consider the Headhunter’s reach and client base

Try to understand who your headhunter has relationships with and which clients he will cover and present you to. If your selected headhunter only covers a certain corner of sector niche, then it might be productive to engage 2 headhunters who cover different clients. If your headhunter covers all of the market you are applicable for, then it is unproductive to engage with more than one. Having your CV presented multiple times can cause legal issues and reduce your chances.

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About Me (Victoria Campbell)

I'm a Headhunter within the North West, helping companies and candidates across Blackpool, Preston, Blackburn, Liverpool, and surrounding areas. I've worked in this sector for over 17 years and have knowledge/opportunities in all business divisions. (HR, Operations, Sales, Finance & Accounts, Senior Management, Logistics, and much more)

To work with me or simply become acquainted, please contact as below;

[email protected]

07528689758

www.ferrisslater.com