Tips on Getting on Executive Search Radars and Being Headhunted

Having worked in travel recruitment and headhuntingat your job, but if you're unknown outside of your
for some time, I've learned a great deal about theoffice cubicle then you're not going to get that call.
way executive search agencies work. Even if you'reThe best way to do this is to give talks at
not actively looking for work, an enquiring headhunterconferences, write articles for industry publications
call can boost morale or prompt a wage boost byand to be an expert in your field, but you may not
your current employer eager to keep you at thebe at a level where this exposure is possible. Start
firm, and of course if you are looking for work, thensmall - make your presence felt online. Increasingly,
letting headhunters do the legwork will save you anheadhunters and recruiters are using the internet to
awful lot of time and effort. But just how do you gofind talented people whose names, for whatever
about getting noticed by recruitment companiesreason, aren't on the tip of everyone's tongue. There
without speaking to them directly?are a number of places where you can upload your
Be the Best you can BeCV to be searchable, and equally being prominent on
This one may sound like a complete cop-out, but thebusiness social networks like LinkedIn can pay
truth is that headhunters go for the exceptional.dividends. The only downside to this is that the less
Don't ever feel like you have no room to improve,formal social networks like Facebook and MySpace
and try to develop your skills as best you can. It'sare equally searchable - so make sure you maintain a
tempting to think that if you're not at one of the topdegree of professionalism throughout your online
companies in your industry, then you won't fall ontodealings!
the recruiter's radar, but this is actually far from theLet Your Clients Market You
truth - we know that there are skilful, talentedIt stands to reason that to have any hope of getting
workers at smaller companies just as there areheadhunted, you have to have an excellent
overpaid, under skilled people working at the topreputation amongst your clients. Happy clients are
firms. In short, headhunters look everywhere, so dolikely to be vocal about recommending you to others.
your best to stand out no matter what level you'reThe effects of this are two-fold - firstly, more
at.recommendations means word of mouth business for
It's all About Exposureyour company, raising your profile, and secondly
But of course, you can be super-talented and greatdirect word of mouth to headhunters and recruiters.
at your job, but if you're unknown outside of yourBelieve it or not, actually asking for suggestions of
office cubicle then you're not going to get that call.people to target is a big part of the headhunter's
The best way to do this is to give talks atday, and if you can be the first name on the lips of
conferences, write articles for industry publicationsyour clients, you're that bit more likely to get the call
and to be an expert in your field, but you may notfrom an executive search agency.
be at a level where this exposure is possible. StartNetwork as if Your Life Depended On It
small - make your presence felt online. Increasingly,Don't miss an opportunity to get your name known
headhunters and recruiters are using the internet toin your industry. Attend formal and informal events,
find talented people whose names, for whatevernetwork and make contacts. I can't speak for all
reason, aren't on the tip of everyone's tongue. Thereareas, but in my experience of travel recruitment,
are a number of places where you can upload yourthe community quite tight with everyone knowing
CV to be searchable, and equally being prominent oneveryone. Get into that inner circle, and you should
business social networks like LinkedIn can payinstantly feel the benefit from good old fashioned
dividends. The only downside to this is that the less'word of mouth'...
formal social networks like Facebook and MySpaceFollow these tricks and you should find yourself
are equally searchable - so make sure you maintain agetting a few headhunting calls in no time. Remember
degree of professionalism throughout your onlinethat you're under no pressure to accept a new job,
dealings!Having worked in travel recruitment andbut it never hurts to keep your options open!
headhunting for some time, I've learned a great dealLet Your Clients Market You
about the way executive search agencies work.It stands to reason that to have any hope of getting
Even if you're not actively looking for work, anheadhunted, you have to have an excellent
enquiring headhunter call can boost morale or promptreputation amongst your clients. Happy clients are
a wage boost by your current employer eager tolikely to be vocal about recommending you to others.
keep you at the firm, and of course if you areThe effects of this are two-fold - firstly, more
looking for work, then letting headhunters do therecommendations means word of mouth business for
legwork will save you an awful lot of time and effort.your company, raising your profile, and secondly
But just how do you go about getting noticed bydirect word of mouth to headhunters and recruiters.
recruitment companies without speaking to themBelieve it or not, actually asking for suggestions of
directly?people to target is a big part of the headhunter's
Be the Best you can Beday, and if you can be the first name on the lips of
This one may sound like a complete cop-out, but theyour clients, you're that bit more likely to get the call
truth is that headhunters go for the exceptional.from an executive search agency.
Don't ever feel like you have no room to improve,Network as if Your Life Depended On It
and try to develop your skills as best you can. It'sDon't miss an opportunity to get your name known
tempting to think that if you're not at one of the topin your industry. Attend formal and informal events,
companies in your industry, then you won't fall ontonetwork and make contacts. I can't speak for all
the recruiter's radar, but this is actually far from theareas, but in my experience of travel recruitment,
truth - we know that there are skilful, talentedthe community quite tight with everyone knowing
workers at smaller companies just as there areeveryone. Get into that inner circle, and you should
overpaid, under skilled people working at the topinstantly feel the benefit from good old fashioned
firms. In short, headhunters look everywhere, so do'word of mouth'...
your best to stand out no matter what level you'reFollow these tricks and you should find yourself
at.getting a few headhunting calls in no time. Remember
It's all About Exposurethat you're under no pressure to accept a new job,
But of course, you can be super-talented and greatbut it never hurts to keep your options open!