The Headhunter - Getting Job Orders in a Weak Economy

In strong economic times, one of the most lucrativerecession turns the tables-qualified candidates are
and rewarding careers is as an Executive Recruiter.readily found while job orders can become extremely
Recruiters, also known as headhunters, are thosedifficult to secure.
talented individuals matching top performingThis is one of the reasons networking is so
candidates to companies looking to fill a particular jobimportant. If the recruiter has performed their job
opening. What about when the economy isn't sowell all along, they've established many contacts, built
strong? Can job orders still be found?relationships, and continue to cultivate those
The recruiter typically makes sixty to one hundredrelationships. As a result, they are deep inside the
cold calls every day over the phone. Usually, the dayindustry they specialize in and are able to dig out
is divided by marketing calls to develop business, andthose few searches that are waiting in the depths of
recruiting calls to potential candidates. While the goalhiring freezes and holds.
is to secure a contract between the recruiter and aThere are no shortcuts; cold calls still have to be
client company to perform a candidate search--a jobmade and new and existing relationships must be
order, during the client development calls, of majorstrengthened. The ultimate goal and final destination is
importance is networking. Networking is of vitalto get a placement. The little goals that are set to
importance while making the recruiting, or candidatecapture those job orders and to score those
calls as well.placements are the path. The path is strewn with
When times are good, securing a job order ispeople. Get to know those people and the path
relatively easy-a good recruiter can get a few jobbecomes a little straighter; a little shorter; and a lot
orders every week. The toughest part is locating thewider.
right candidate for that position. A rough economy or