Lets HEADHUNT AND NETWORK !!!!

Whenever we think about headhunting the below thoughts come in our minds :

• How to be effective in headhunting
• Different ways of Headhunting and networking.

There is a saying that Knowledge is a process of piling up facts; wisdom lies in their simplification." Hence “simplify” and “apply” Knowledge.

Why and When do we need to Headhunt :

1.Quality of CVs – Conversion Ratio is higher !

2.Niche Skills requirements – When requirement is very specific !

3.When competition is stiff with multiple vendors !

4. Lead time is less !

5.Recruiting Database is not up-to mark!

6.To target candidates who otherwise may not apply !

To be a good Headhunter you need to have the following TRAITS :

• Knowledge
• Common Sense in abundance
• Perseverance
• Organized
• Creative
• Good Networking skills
• Confident

Now let's elaborate more on some important TRAITS:

Knowledge:You need a thorough understanding of your Client’s Requirement, their Business and Industry. Also understanding the culture of your client is of immense important when it comes to People. You also need to understand their Methodology and Processes. Once the Homework is done the next step is to TARGET COMPANIES who operate in the similar lines.

Common Sense : Are you tapping the right industry, the right people at the right time at the right place? Are you able to introduce yourself in a right manner ? Are you using the right words while making these calls and are you closing the conversation at the right time and able to ask right and to-the-point ? Do this Math on a Note Pad...Make your own script and then

Organised : Document the relevant details after every call you make.Important names and nos. etc. Document the research findings for future reference and retrieve the information whenever needed.

Good Networking Skills: Establish relationships with other professionals. Join Associations /Groups , talk to new people, talk to people you know, and to people they know. In case, you cannot network openly do it with with discretion, but do NETWORK !Remember, just because you've interacted with someone once does not mean that you're networking job is done. You must keep the communication open on a continual basis. 

Perseverance : We are told that talent creates its own opportunities. But it sometimes seems that, intense desire creates not only its own opportunities, but its own talents.

Challenges and Threats :

1. Threat of getting through wrong people who may not be looking for a change and might escalate.
2. Risk of getting into rude and awkward situations.
3. Getting escalated to one of the existing client managers.

There are risks involved in whatever we do...but as the saying by Leo Burnett goes " When you reach for the stars, you may not quite get them, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either ".

Engagement has to be human, because people trust people more than brands. " YOUR NETWORK IS YOUR NET WORTH "

Please feel free to add / comment, if I missed any important information !

Happy Reading !

Best Regards

Himanshu Prasad