How to Work With Executive Recruiters
The Wall Street Journal
May 13, 2009, 12:50 PM ET
Many employers hire executive recruiters to help them fill their most senior and highest-paying positions. Developing relationships with headhunters can be advantageous, as they may then think to contact you whenever they land a search assignment that matches your background. But don’t wait until you’re ready to change jobs to get to know recruiters. Like with most relationships, building good ones can take time. Here are some tips for getting started:
Offer to help. If a recruiter contacts you about a position you aren’t interested in, suggest other professionals you know who might. Chances are you’ll curry favor with both parties as a result.
Tell the truth. Don’t exaggerate your credentials or accomplishments. Many recruiters check job hunters’ backgrounds thoroughly and a lie that’s discovered could hurt your reputation with a search professional, as well as his or her clients.
Be sure. Offer yourself as a candidate to recruiters only if you’re serious about wanting to change jobs. Carefully assess your situation first, because if you turn down an interview invite or back out on a job offer that a recruiter helped you obtain, he or she may no longer be willing to work with you.
Offer boundaries. Some job hunters say they’ll take any position when they don’t really mean it. Let recruiters know if certain industries, employers or geographic areas are off limits. But also keep in mind that the narrower your search parameters, the fewer options you’ll likely have to consider.
Provide references. Include three names—and their contact information—when you send recruiters your résumé. These can be former bosses, colleagues or people you managed. The effort can help bolster a recruiter’s desire to represent you to his or her clients.
Ask smart questions. If a recruiter approaches you about a career opportunity, show you’re job-search savvy by inquiring about the size of the employer, its culture, the competencies needed for the position and whether you’re the first candidate to be considered. Also request a copy of the job’s specifications. This will signal to the recruiter that you are somebody who understands the bigger picture and is digging deep to understand what the job is all about.
Explain your rejections. For jobs that aren’t a good match, let recruiters know why. This will allow them to clear up any false impressions you or they might have, and help them gain a better understanding of what you prefer.
Stay involved. Check in with recruiters about once every two months to stay on their radar. But if they’ve set you up with an interview, give them feedback on how it went within a few days. Meanwhile, act as your recruiter’s assistant by researching companies and offering him or her a list of ones you consider a strong fit.