A Job Seeker's Guide to Being Headhunted by Executive Recruiters

If you're working in a senior management position, chances are you've heard of a recruitment technique called headhunting. Many businesses employ headhunting firms (or executive recruitment firms) to fill open positions in higher management.

Connecting with a headhunter or an executive recruiter is vital to finding new career opportunities that allow you to move up the career ladder. In this article, we discuss what an executive recruiter is, how they differ from regular recruiters, how to increase your chances of getting headhunted, and what to do once executive recruiters contact you.

What is an executive recruiter?

An executive recruiter, also known as a headhunter, is a recruitment professional specializing in sourcing talents for top-level positions within an organization. Executive recruiters are essential for companies looking to fill senior-level and C-level positions that are likely to dictate the overall direction of their organization.

Headhunters work by sourcing qualified candidates for executive roles, conducting extensive interviews and screening during the executive search process, and negotiating compensation packages for successful candidates.

How is an executive recruiter different from a regular recruiter?

While both professionals specialize in sourcing talent to fill open roles, executive recruiters focus mainly on finding the right candidate for C-suite, VP, and upper management positions rather than entry-level roles.

During the hiring process, executive recruiters leverage their network and other tools to find the most suitable talent. In comparison, regular recruiters often rely on traditional recruitment tactics, such as posting job ads and sifting through submitted resumes, to identify potential candidates.

In addition, executive recruiters often have a specific domain competence and specialize in a certain niche, industry, business function, or seniority level.

How is an executive recruiter different from a human resources professional?

Executive recruiters, and recruiters in general, are focused on attracting, selecting, screening, and hiring candidates for open positions within their organization or for a client company.

Human resources teams can also hire talents. However, their responsibilities focus on managing the entire employee lifecycle, from onboarding to offboarding. If the company offers training programs, it's the HR team's job to implement the program.

In addition, HR teams are responsible for managing employee compensation and payroll, as well as ensuring the organization is compliant with all labor laws and regulations.

Can contacting an executive recruiter help you advance your career?

Before contacting an executive recruiter or an executive search partner, it is important to understand that they do not help people find jobs. Recruiters from executive search firms partner with clients to find the talents that meet their requirements. However, it's ultimately the client who decides whom to hire for the open position. Additionally, your chances of being a qualified candidate for the position are slim unless the executive recruiter contacts you first.

That being said, there are several things you can do to increase your chances of being headhunted by executive recruiters.

1. Expand your network

Networking can give you a competitive advantage over other job seekers in the market. In fact, research suggests that between 70% to 80% of job openings are not posted or advertised publicly. A survey also found that more than 80% of jobs are filled through personal contacts.

Making meaningful connections with people in the same field or industry can help you discover more opportunities and be considered for open roles in the future. One of the easiest ways to network is by attending professional events and conferences, joining online communities, and utilizing your school's alumni networks.

2. Adjust your resume

Keeping your resume up-to-date is essential if you want to remain competitive. However, customizing your resume to the posting requirements and leadership profile may work better in your favor as you'll likely be more noticeable than candidates with generic resumes.

To achieve this, identify key phrases from the job description and incorporate them into your resume. You should also focus on emphasizing skills, qualifications, and measurable accomplishments.

3. Maintain an online presence

As the job market continues to grow competitive, having an online presence can make a big difference. To achieve this, ensure your online profiles professionally reflect your work experience and qualifications, keeping them up-to-date. It also helps to share or publish content related to your career or industry that you think could be of interest.

4. Keep on top of industry news

Staying on top of the latest news and trends in your industry can not only help you find relevant job postings but can also make you especially attractive to employers and recruiters. In fact, it could be the difference between landing an interview or not.

To learn of the latest developments, be sure to follow credible publications related to your profession. You can also follow companies you are interested in to stay informed of what's happening in their world—from new product launches to internships and job opportunities.

5. Connect with recruitment agencies

An executive search firm might have access to a role filled exclusively by them, which is why connecting with them should not be overlooked. When networking, make sure to include executive recruitment agencies and headhunters in your circle. Doing so will significantly increase your chances of finding and being considered for a role that suits your skills and qualifications.

What should you do when an executive recruiter reaches out to you?

When a recruiter reaches out, it indicates their interest in your skills or experience. However, there are a number of reasons why recruiters would contact you, apart from possibly screening you as a potential candidate for a certain role. If a recruiter contacts you, it could also mean:

• They are creating new positions. When recruiters contact you, it could be that they are researching the credentials of professionals in a role similar to the one they are looking to create. In some cases, they may also be generating a list of potential candidates to reach out to once the need to fill the new position arises.
• They want to learn more about you. Recruiters sometimes contact candidates with the aim of learning more about their experience and qualifications, even if they're not filling a role at the moment. Most often, recruiters scout for talents with the goal of finding a reserve candidate for important positions to ensure someone fills the role quickly should the previous employee leave.

When a recruiter contacts you with the intention of screening whether you're qualified for the role, there are a few things you can do to be shortlisted for the position or to establish a professional relationship that could open doors to more opportunities in the future.

1. Be respectful.

First and foremost, be respectful. When speaking with the recruiter, make sure to convey your interest while still maintaining professionalism, even if you're only talking through email. Recruiters consider not only a person's qualifications but also their work ethic and personality during the screening process.

If you believe you're not qualified for the role, you can still express gratitude for being considered for the role. However, decline any invitation to discuss the position further. This helps you maintain your professional reputation and professional relationship, both of which could benefit you in the future when you are actively searching for a new position.

2. Be honest.

Apart from respect, honesty also reinforces trust between you and the executive recruiter. During the screening process, the recruiter would likely ask about your employment history, credentials, knowledge, and goals. It is important to answer all questions honestly and tell them you don't know the answer to a certain question if that is the case.

Being honest and transparent during the screening process shows respect and maintains your integrity.

3. Ask questions about the company or the position

In most cases, recruiters would allow you to ask your own questions at the end of the interview. When this happens, try to gather more information about the recruiter's executive search firm, their client, and other details about the position. Example questions may include:

• What is the company's culture?
• What are the company's core values?
• How soon would you need to fill the position?
• What would my work schedule look like?
• Does the position include a benefits package? If so, what are the details of that package?
• What daily responsibilities should I expect?

4. Make a decision.

When the recruiter comes back to you with a job offer, you should take time to consider each detail carefully before giving them a response. If you decide to decline the offer, provide the reasons for doing so.

If you're declining because of a low salary, consider negotiating with the hiring company first. Some recruiters are also willing to negotiate the salary on your behalf.

5. Give your current employer notice.

If you decide to accept the position, it's time to give your current employer at least two weeks' notice before leaving. This gives them some time to find someone to fill your position.