| Once upon a time, head hunters were no more than | | | | every interview, both with the client and with the |
| common cannibals. Some people still view them that | | | | prospect. It's a busy job. |
| way, but executive recruiters are a vital link in a chain | | | | Does the Internet Make Life Easier Or Harder For |
| that keeps major enterprises functioning well. | | | | Head Hunters |
| The top positions at any organization dictate the | | | | Q: So how does the Internet make life easier for an |
| fortunes of the company, the shareholders and the | | | | executive recruiter? |
| employees ... and often the communities in which | | | | A: Now you have online communities and bulletin |
| they are located. A good executive head hunter can | | | | boards, such as Monster.com, where you can place |
| ensure that new company executives have the skills | | | | ads for positions. This makes it somewhat easier to |
| required for the position and the challenges ahead. He | | | | cast one's net. Directories like ours help head hunters |
| can also ensure that the right executive is chosen, | | | | attract clients, so they can spend more recruiting and |
| one whose style will flourish in the specific | | | | less time on business development. |
| environment of that company. | | | | Q: Don't online bulletin boards and directories just |
| However, modern executive recruiters face | | | | mean the head hunter has to spend more time in |
| challenges to be effective. I caught up with Esther | | | | more places? |
| Barzel, co-owner of the Directory of Executive | | | | A: Yes and no. Online resources are more easily |
| Recruiters and Head Hunters Site. | | | | searched than, say, paper. Our recruiter directory |
| Q: What are the main challenges of executive head | | | | gives employers the chance to search by geography |
| hunters in today's business climate? | | | | or by vocation, or by the type of position. This |
| A: To start with, the geographic net has become | | | | means they can find a recruiter that specializes in |
| much wider. A head hunter in , say, New York City | | | | pharmaceutical sales, or who specializes in accounting, |
| or Toronto, can no longer rely on finding the right | | | | or whatever field. The head hunter spends less time |
| candidate right in town. In fact, the ideal candidate | | | | answering questions from people who will never be |
| might be just minutes away by Internet, but he | | | | their clients. |
| might be located in another country or even on | | | | Q: And I assume it works both ways? |
| another continent. We are looking at a new breed of | | | | A: Yes, the recruiter gets resumes from only those |
| executive recruiter. | | | | people who are likely candidates for the types of |
| Executive Recruiter in the Internet Age | | | | positions he works on. The pharmaceutical recruiter, |
| Q: The Internet should make his job easier, right? | | | | for example will not get a resume from someone |
| A: Yes...and no. He has to post requirements in more | | | | whose background is in aeronautical engineering. |
| places and sift through more potential candidates to | | | | Q: Wow, that's a mouthful. I don't know if I could |
| find the jewel he seeks. So his workload has actually | | | | even repeat that. |
| increased. | | | | A: Many executive recruiters could not repeat it, |
| Q: Plus, I presume, he still faces the challenges of | | | | either. So the Internet is making it easier for them to |
| yesteryear? | | | | receive resumes targeted to their field of expertise, |
| A: That's right. He still has to make contact with | | | | saving them time...not to mention overexertion of |
| potential candidates, conduct preliminary interviews, | | | | their tongues. |
| set up meetings with the company, attend to minute | | | | On that humorous note, we thank Esther for taking |
| details, brief the interviewer, etc. | | | | the time to explain how the Internet is making life |
| Q: What about follow-up? | | | | both more complex and easier for executive |
| A: Yes, there is, of course, follow-up required after | | | | recruiters and head hunters. |