| Do you get calls at work from third party recruiters | | | | - Length of time it's been open |
| (AKA Headhunters) telling you they have the | | | | - Travel requirements, if any |
| greatest career opportunity. Maybe you laugh at | | | | Find out about the recruiter. Ask about his/her |
| them, or at the very least don't take them seriously. | | | | experience - do they specialize in your industry? How |
| No matter what your opinion of them, Headhunters | | | | long has their office been in business? Are they a |
| can be a valuable resource in getting you your next | | | | part of a large network of recruiters? |
| job. | | | | Set up ground rules for contact. If you decide to |
| Many times you'll be contacted by a recruiter when | | | | work with this third party recruiter, let him/her know |
| you're not considering a career change. You might be | | | | if you can be contacted at work or if you prefer |
| very content with your current employer. That's | | | | receiving calls on your cell phone. Can they call you |
| good; however, what the recruiter might be offering | | | | during business hours? Can he/she email you at work, |
| is a career opportunity that's better than the one | | | | or should they use your personal email address? Be |
| you currently have. The next time a recruiter calls, | | | | clear as to how you want to be contacted. Since you |
| don't be so quick to get them off the phone. The | | | | might not be unhappy in your current position, you |
| few minutes you invest in a conversation could turn | | | | wouldn't want your current employer to know you're |
| into a great job for you. | | | | working with a recruiter. |
| So what should you do the next time a third party | | | | Ask about the process. If you decide to move |
| recruiter calls you at work? Here are a few | | | | forward, what will be expected of you? What role |
| suggestions. | | | | does the recruiter play in the process? Is there |
| Find out as many details as you can about the | | | | anyone else who will be involved? Finding out about |
| company. Chances are pretty good the recruiter | | | | the process in the beginning will help to prevent any |
| won't tell you the name of the company, at least | | | | miscommunication or misunderstandings going |
| during this first phone call. There are some things you | | | | forward. |
| can find out that will help you decide if it's the type | | | | Control your resume. You should know when your |
| of company you'd like to work for. You might ask | | | | resume is submitted to a company. Ask the recruiter |
| the following questions: | | | | to contact you before a resume is sent out to get |
| - What is the size of the company, in terms of | | | | your permission to do so. |
| revenue, sales, number of employees, number of | | | | Fees/Costs. Are you required to pay any fees for |
| locations, etc? | | | | the recruiter's services? If the answer is yes, don't |
| - What types of products and/or services are | | | | work with them. Reputable third party recruiters are |
| offered by the company? | | | | employer paid and candidates have no financial |
| - Is the company international? | | | | responsibility whatsoever. |
| - How long has the company been in business? | | | | Utilizing the services of a third party recruiter can be |
| - Is it a public or private company? | | | | a big help as you search for your next career |
| Get information about the position. Ask questions to | | | | opportunity. It's your decision whether or not to |
| find out about the role and responsibilities of this | | | | work with a Headhunter. Take your time and ask as |
| position. This might not be the right fit for you in | | | | many questions as you need to so you feel |
| your career. Some points to clarify include: | | | | comfortable with the recruiter and the process. If |
| Job title | | | | you are not completely comfortable about the |
| - Key duties and responsibilities | | | | recruiter, position or the process you can always say |
| - Where the position is located | | | | "no, thanks" (politely, of course) and hang up the |
| - Why the position is available | | | | phone. |