5 Tips for Winning Over an Executive Headhunter or Management Recruiter

Many job seekers are overwhelmed with fear at the prospect of seeking a new professional position on their own. That’s why many people hope to hang their hats on executive headhunter connections to seek them out in their continual (endless?) quest for the ultimate trophy career.

To win over a reliable executive headhunter, a job seeker has to plan his attack. A well-connected executive recruiter will not hire just anyone in a suit. You have to build a strong foundation long before you make contact.

Just like animal hunting needs supplies, recruiter hunting also requires strategy and supplies. Here are five tips to successfully capture the prize: the services of an executive recruiter.

Do your homework

The savvy job seeker should be well armed with knowledge, not only about their interests and skills, but also about the headhunter’s interests and specialties. Yes, it helps to approach a headhunter who understands your field and has built connections, because there’s very little need for chemical engineers in an accounting firm (although chemical manufacturers have been forced to let accountants into their sanctuaries, But that is another story ).

At the same time, an executive management recruiter has no interest in your skills, even if you’ve won dozens of awards for the French pastries you’ve created.

Of course, it helps to get acquainted with the labor market. That’s the executive recruiter’s job, but it’s also yours.

You’ll also get a lot more if you’ve assessed your own skills, not just your desired job. If you clearly aren’t qualified for what he’s looking for, he won’t sell himself to the headhunter. And if you can’t sell yourself to the headhunter, he or she won’t bother trying to sell you to anyone else.

Identify reputable executive recruiters and head hunters

Unfortunately, in the 21st century there are a growing number of scammers and scammers who have injected themselves into the business of recruiters and executive hunters. Therefore, as you begin your search for a bona fide, qualified executive recruiter, it is vital that you ask.

Before you approach an executive headhunter, find out as much as you can about their operations, track record, and experience from as many freelance resources as you can access. Be sure to find other men or women who have used your services. Find out who has actually landed jobs for other people, before you put your career in the hands of a charlatan.

Prepare for a strong resume

OK. so this might be obvious. But it is not always done. Prepare a professional resume before contacting the executive headhunters on your list. Your resume is your business card and will determine whether the recruiter will want to let you waste his secretary’s time.

Align strong references

Before knocking on headhunters’ doors, make sure you have a list of professional references handy.

Just as you’ll want to know the ins and outs of any executive recruiter you approach, these professionals will also want to know a lot about you. They will want to be able to contact your references, men and women who can back up your career aspirations with solid testimonials about your past accomplishments, your character, your abilities, and even your weaknesses as well.

Be sure to ask each reference for permission ahead of time, so they don’t get caught off guard and say something like, “okay, um, let me see, uh…you called for who?”

Schedule a one-on-one Head Hunter meeting

Finally, when you have all your ducks lined up, you’re ready to meet the executive headhunter who will give you the ultimate trophy run. Of course, it’s helpful to choose more than one recruiter, and it’s also helpful to schedule a meeting at your convenience.

There you go. You’re ready to go executive headhunting. Job hunting couldn’t be more fun unless it came with a cherry on top and a complimentary subscription to Laugh magazine. Happy hunting.