The quest to find decent, honest work is often not as thrilling as it may seem. In fact, the search for a job is probably best characterized by sleepless nights and days that stretch out from here to eternity.
Fortunately, you do not need to fumble around helplessly in the dark while looking for employment. Thanks to the wealth of online resources (the Internet is the gift that keeps on giving), finding and applying for a job has never been easier.
However, while browsing LinkedIn or Glassdoor is certainly easier than scouring the classifieds section of your local newspaper, you will still have to put in a little elbow grease. But there is no reason that you need to do it alone. Keep reading below to see how a headhunter can help you.
What is a Headhunter?
Put simply, a headhunter is a professional talent-seeker contracted by a company to find suitable candidates for a specific job. Think of them as middlemen between you (and others like you) and potential employers.
Headhunters are typically called in whenever a company needs to fill a position quickly. As such, they need to be able to navigate a large network of contacts efficiently and have a keen eye for detail.
Occasionally, headhunters will approach individuals who are already employed to convince them to join another company. This is commonly referred to as “poaching.”
Why should you work with a headhunter?
Headhunters play an integral role in ensuring a company’s success by recommending suitable candidates – the right people for the right jobs, as it were. This often permits them access to company information not generally available to the public, including upcoming vacancies.
This brings us to the first benefit of working with a headhunter – they will get you the facetime you need with a potential employer as soon as a position opens up.
Additionally, the professional reputation of a headhunter relies on their ability to broker a fruitful working relationship between companies and candidates. As such, they become equally as invested in a candidate’s success as the candidate themselves. They will provide pre-interview coaching, tips on presenting yourself, and insight into what qualities you should highlight. They are also known to sing their candidates’ praises to potential employers.
How can you get in contact with a headhunter?
You do not find a headhunter – a headhunter finds you.
At least, that is what most people believe. But the truth is, while actually finding a headhunter can be a tricky ordeal, there are many different ways in which you can make it easier for them to find you.
Step One: Establish Your Presence
The power of social media and networking cannot be understated, and it is not a bad idea to wield some of it yourself.
You can start by creating a LinkedIn profile. This process is fairly simple, but you should take the time to ensure that it is well-optimized and appealing to outside viewers.
Once your profile has been perfected, head over to the dashboard, navigate to the “Career Interest” section, and change your status to “Actively Applying.” This will let headhunters know that you are open to offers.
Step Two: Ask Around for a Referral
If you have a decent network of associates already, you can ask them to refer you to a headhunter they may have worked with in the past. Often, the list of headhunters you put together will come up short, but that is okay – the first rule that anybody looking for employment should follow is always to make personal connections.
Reach out to the headhunters you have been referred to. If they do not have anything for you at this moment, do not be quick to drop them. Check in with them periodically to see if they have any offers available.
Step Three: Consult With Agencies
LinkedIn allows you to view a list of positions within any given company. This is an invaluable tool because it allows you to determine whether or not a company has an internal headhunter or recruiter. All you need to do is go over to the “Employees” tab, then search either “talent” or “recruit,” and you will find what you are looking for.
If, however, you have no specific company in mind and are interested in a much broader field, you can turn to a headhunting agency that will be able to help you find a job well-suited to your individual tastes and abilities.
Conclusion
Working with a headhunter can be a refreshing experience, not least of all because of the amount of work they put in to ensure your success (and, in turn, to secure their own). Hopefully, this guide has given you some idea of how to find one and how to work together to pave the way to a bright future.
