A Headhunter-What?
A headhunter recruits employees for an employer. Companies engage headhunters to uncover candidates who satisfy job criteria. Headhunters, often known as executive recruiters, do executive searches. Headhunters might gather applicants for particular openings or seek talent from rivals’ personnel. Employers use headhunters when hiring is urgent, and they can’t locate the proper individual.
Understanding Headhunters
Many hiring managers, HR workers, and internal recruitment experts are responsible for finding and recruiting job applicants. Some companies use employment agencies or executive search organizations. Headhunters are third-party professionals that recruit for a hiring organization.
Hire a headhunter to fill high-paying or skill-required positions. Firm headhunters search multinational enterprises for outstanding personnel. Additionally, anyone may contact headhunters to submit a resume or apply for a position for which they seek talent. Internet technologies, like social media and job boards, promote headhunting on several levels.
How Headhunters Earn
Headhunters receive payment only when they place a candidate. Independent, third-party recruiters are generally compensated contingently, meaning they only get payment if their applicant is hired. Fees often range from 20% to 30% of a new hire’s first-year compensation. Headhunters serve the employer; hence, they favor them above the candidate.
Anyone can become a headhunter or recruiter without a license. Low-quality recruiters compete with those with vast customer and prospect networks. They may resemble unwanted emails, calls, or LinkedIn requests.
What to Look for in a Headhunter
The quality and helpfulness of headhunters vary. Some traits to seek for and avoid:
- A professional headhunter will approach you, knowing your abilities and expertise match a vacancy.
- A headhunter asking for your prior or present income is suspicious. Instead, they should inform you of the wage range of the opportunity upon contacting you and ask whether it fits.
- Unprepared headhunters may skip background research and conduct interviews on the spot during phone interviews.
- Professional headhunters are accessible and professional in their communication. A red flag is a headhunter who is unpleasant, demanding, challenging to contact, or doesn’t react to communications.
- An intelligent head hunter will keep in touch with you, especially if you’re a solid prospect, to keep you in their applicant pool.
Key Takeaways
- Employers use headhunters, or executive recruiters, to find candidates for available positions.
- Contingency headhunters get commissions only when they place a candidate.
- A good headhunter won’t inquire about your present or former compensation, so state your desired range.
