Start Making That Move

People are constantly on a lookout for greater opportunities to level up, widen their network, explore more significant roles and partner with remarkable individuals or companies.

And what better way to gain access to all that, than getting yourself connected to a headhunter - the epicentre of all things career-related! A great headhunter can take you places and help you move up to the next rung (and maybe even rungs) of your career ladder. But the key lies in knowing how to get the most of your relationship with your headhunter so that he or she can be that go-to person and help you build a successful career. 

Read on and I'll share with you some tips towards building a relationship with your headhunter so that they'll be your brand new BFF! 

First Contact: Do we really have to meet up in person?

Having been at this for more than a decade, I have often heard from candidates that they do not want to meet with headhunters. They usually prefer to talk over the phone and find out what jobs available and of course the salary. Some of the more cautious ones may request for an email with information on job descriptions. 

You might think that a brief overview of the job via a phone conversation may give you enough information for you to make a decision, but meeting with a headhunter to talk it through can make a major difference. Trust me when I say that 10-minute would not suffice. Go set up a meeting with your headhunter because you'll be able to gather a lot more information and clarity on the role. The finer details that are crucial to your decision making can only be sifted through after an in-depth conversation with your headhunter.

Would you trust a headhunter whom you have never met to represent you for a potential job vacancy and to make the right recommendations for you?

Timing: I'm currently not on a lookout for a new role, should I still bother meeting with a headhunter? 

When it comes to opportunities, it's rarely ever going to be a 'right place, right time' sort of situation. More often than not, it just happens when you least expect it. We must always be in the stage of preparedness, ready to pounce on opportunities when they pass us by. Therefore, relationship building is key to the preparation stage which will then lead to opportunities.

Most people tend to consider meeting up with a headhunter only when they feel its time to make a move. The unfortunate thing in doing so is that it could be borne out of desperation. Whether an unhappy work relationship with your colleague, a toxic environment, changes in company structure or other challenges that reared its head, making you look around desperately for an exit.

However, it may be interesting for you to note that a headhunter typically handles (on average) a pool of 300 to 500 candidates. And the client who is paying a fee to hire someone will only want to see the top 20% of the talent pool. So, wouldn't it make sense that you could possibly be in the first batch of people that your headhunter looks to because you're someone who's happy and doing well in your current role versus the guy who's miserable at his job and looking to make a quick exit? 

The Relationship: So, you've met up with your headhunter, what’s next?

Check in every couple of months to share with them about your recent progress so you'll be their top of the mind recall when they're putting together their Hot List. 

Catch up with them at the beginning of the year to learn about the latest trends in your industry, what are companies looking for, who are out looking to hire. And then, after your annual performance review, have a meet up again to share potential your potential moves and progression within the company. talk through the pros and cons and even suggestions for salary negotiation.

Set your own schedule and most importantly, work with your headhunter on career planning with questions such as 'Where do you want to be within the company in 12 months?', 'How should I get there?' and 'What are the other options available in the market?'. Also, talk to them about your career progression by identifying the challenges you have faced and how you dealt with them. 

With the constant contact that you have with your headhunter, you'll find yourself being highly attuned to the market shifts and demands and would be able to act quickly when an opportunity presents itself. 

The Right One: Which headhunter(s) should I connect with?

With a packed schedule filled with endless to-do lists, it can be quite a daunting task to meet with every single headhunter who calls you. So, how do you choose which headhunter(s) to connect and maintain a relationship with? Well, my suggestion is based on an all-time, age-old, every situation rule - Trust Your Heart. When you have a gut feeling about something, and decide to go with your instinct, you'll soon realise that you can discern which headhunter only wants to sell you a job and close the deal versus the who actually has your best interest at heart and will make recommendations based on what could possibly be good for you. 

It really is all about the heart.

Why do I say this? There was once, a candidate of mine called me late at night because he could nut make up his mind about whether or not to make the move. His exact word, "If I wasn't your candidate today but a close friend or relative, would you still ask me to go?" At that moment, I paused, took a step back to reconsider all the options for him and I said confidently, "Yes...Go for it.". Simply because I truly believed in my heart that it was a good move for him. We ended the call and he took the offer. 

That was 6 years ago, today, he's happy, still working for that company and has been promoted several times since. And yes, we still meet for coffee regularly. ;o) 

The Content: What should I disclose to my headhunter?

Making a good impression goes beyond sharing your positive traits and capabilities, it also includes your weaknesses, how you've grown and what you've learnt. Always remember that withholding information is akin to lying, so always be completely honest with your headhunter because both your credibility and reputation are at stake.

It's the same as how you should be honest with your doctor regarding your health condition and medical history so that he can make the best possible treatment for you. It is important for your headhunter to be fully aware of your background, character, skills and experiences to make the best recommendations for you.

Share with them beyond what is stated in your CV. Tell them more about yourself, who you are as a person and anything that has shaped your beliefs, values, behaviours and perspectives. Knowing such information helps your headhunter know you as an individual and not a page of historical data. Also, don't be afraid to ask the same about your headhunter. In doing so, you both get to know each other better - they would be able to suggest roles that are a great match for you would have a better idea of whether you trust them and would go with the suggestions they make. 

In a nutshell, don't view your relationship with a headhunter as purely transactional or as an 'agent' whose sole responsibility is to send you a list of available positions from time to time. Instead, connect with your them the way you would with a friend. Be smart, sincere and make the most out of the relationship by partnering them to map out your career and support you as you progress.

In this issue, our Practice Leader from Hong Kong shares her thoughts on some common misconceptions when working with headhunters and some valuable takeaways to make the most out of your relationship with them. 

Keen to explore new career opportunities in Accounting and Finance field in Malaysia? Get in touch with me via LinkedIn or email at [email protected].