Working with Headhunters

??Want to know how powerful your headhunter (and/or recruiter) really is???

?? You already know your only access to some roles are only through the headhunter or a few recruiters representing the employer. But that's not where it ends...

Before expanding on that point, let's first state another obvious fact: not all headhunters/recruiters are equal. As in any industry, you have star performers and very mediocre (or downright terrible) performers. I can't speak for all recruiters, but I can speak for those who are consistently working to elevate the level of service; who are committed to help businesses solve the people-problem and to help people find that workplace where they can flourish.

Getting back to the influence the headhunter carries: it's probably more than you realise. Because a true headhunter:

• has done extensive upfront work to delve into culture match with the organisation, the team, the leadership
• can't do that job themselves but they understand what the client needs in attitude, in acumen, in skillset for someone to come and solve the problems that this job needs to solve for them
• will do the same for candidates - understand what can work and what won't fit at all

It goes WAYYYYYY beyond just qualification, years of experience and industry match!

And through all this they work to facilitate and negotiate something that can work well for both sides. It's a bit of an art IMHO?

?? Here's the big thing I want to say today: you can choose to work WITH your headhunter/recruiter or AGAINST them; you can make it work for you or shoot yourself in the foot...Even if you don't get the offer on this role, they way you work with them keeps the door open for future or shuts it faster than you can imagine.

So how do you work well with a headhunter?

??If you promise to send the info - CV/resume, copies of qualifications, payslip, references - do so, and when you say you will. If you tell me you'll send it by tomorrow morning and 2 days later still nothing, I'm making a mental note that reliability might be a problem here, so I'll prioritise other candidates. Yes, unexpected stuff happens and you get busy, but then send me a note to let me know so I can manage it. Remember at the end of the search clients most often ask me who I would recommend - if you repeatedly 'dropped the ball' I won't want them to appoint you because I don't know if you will do the same once in the job.

?? Don't lie - about anything. Criminal record, bad credit history, other roles you are interviewing for, salary, where you worked. One lie is enough to get you scrapped off the books. Again it is too risky for me to place you in a position not knowing what else you might have lied about - I'm not willing to stake my reputation or my clients' business on that.

The opposite is true too - when employers change the goalposts on a search more than once I'm not comfortable risking a good candidate's future on shifting sands, because it will be impossible for anyone to succeed there. I'm not talking about small refinements as we work, but major changes.

?? I can't make you a better candidate than you are, but I can help you to present yourself and the value you can bring clearly. But if you don't work with me and take my advice my hands are tied. So if I ask to send me additional info on key successes/projects/contributions, or send you tutorials on how to prepare for the interview please do what you must.

?? I can't do your preparation and research for you. I can give you context, inside info, culture and role fit, but the homework on the company is your responsibility. Rather be over-prepared than under-prepared; you have one opportunity to make your mark and get through to the next step. Don't take it for granted and watch for over-confidence.

?? I can't create a job for you. I work on opportunities companies have available, so please don't be offended if I cannot help you or others you refer to me right now. Personally I try to help as much as I can - even if I can't place someone I can often help them with advice and tutorials on CV, LinkedIn profiles, interview prep.

So let's rather work together and raise the standard across the industry. You cannot make others 'do the right thing' (i.e. act professionally), but you can choose to do so regardless of their actions and so sow the seeds for your own future.