Leadership

6 Ways to Get the Most From a Headhunter

By CC Holland

Updated on: March 12, 2009 / 12:37 PM EDT / MoneyWatch

If you're in the market for a new job, you might be thinking of contacting a recruiter. Here's what you need to know to make the most of the relationship.

1. First and foremost, keep in mind that a headhunter doesn't work for you. He or she works for the company looking to fill a position. A headhunter's first responsibility is to that client.

So if one pursues you and sends you on an interview, but you're not hired, don't be surprised if he never calls you again. That's the nature of the business.

2. If a headhunter gets in touch, make sure he's the real deal. How can you tell if your headhunter is legit? He knows who you are, he knows your background, and he called you because, well, you're you. So ask up front: what do you know about me, and who recommended me to you? If he can't answer, hang up.

3. What if headhunters aren't pursuing you at all? While most create their own lists of candidates, there are a few things you can do to get noticed by recruiters:

Ask your colleagues who they key headhunters are in your business, and introduce yourself.
If you're shy about the direct approach, try to get your name out there -- get mentioned in PR collateral or author articles for industry-specific publications and Web sites.
Join a professional organization, attend conferences, use social-media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, and network, network, network.

4. How do you find the right headhunter? It's essential to choose a recruiter who works in your field and knows your industry. If you don't have any leads, take a look at the Directory of Executive Recruiters.

5. Once you land a headhunter, treat the relationship as a friendship first, a business transaction second. Why? Treat him like a human and she'll do the same for you. Don't expect a job opportunity, but leverage his network for leads. Don't pester him with constant updates -- but do keep in touch. You'll never know when his expertise can come in handy, even years down the road.

6. Finally, keep your headhunter in the loop while you're interviewing. Before the interview, ask for (and take) his advice. After the interview, brief your headhunter on how things went, and ask him what he's heard. And accept feedback and suggestions graciously.

(image by oskay via Flickr, CC 2.0)