ALT-2 Tips for Finding the right Headhunter
I hate headhunters! The real ones in New Guinea are nicer guys than their business cousins. I know I shouldn't blanket every member of one profession as bad, but let's just say that familiar quote from Shakespeare's Henry VI should be "First thing we do, let's kill all the headhunters."
First of all, even a scrupulously honest (it hurts even saying it) headhunter doesn't do it as a free public service. He/she, like anyone else in business, must make a living. There are tools of the trade that cost time and money to acquire: education, keen knowledge of the job market, starting salaries, current openings, anticipated openings and lots of networking to keep active and fresh.
That said, if you can find an honest headhunter (oh, the humanity), you'll most likely have to pay a hefty fee. Considering most people who need headhunters are out of work, paying for the service can be an extra hardship. A typical fee runs from the equivalent of one month's salary on the new job, to as high as four months' pay for an upper-level job. In about 20 percent of the headhunter's service, the hiring company will pay the fee (you should be so lucky). Some headhunters also charge clients for their ongoing search and expenses, but most are on the we-get-paid-when-you-get-the-job basis.
How do you find the right headhunter? My immediate reaction is: you don't need one! Get off your butt and do the thorough research and search for that great job you know you deserve. Do what the headhunter needs to do. Get your resume and other paperwork together in the most efficient way. Check the newspapers and the internet for job listings in your field. Get letters and email out to prospective employers. If you're recently out of college or school, contact the counselors and get references from faculty, former associates and bosses who were impressed by you.
Twist all branches of your personal contact networking: family, friends, work associates, bosses, clergy, people you know already working in the company and whoever else can help you nail that job. If you're willing to work hard and smart at it, you won't need a headhunter.
There are situations where headhunters ... if you can find an honest one ... can be useful. For instance, if you're looking for a high-paying job and don't want to jeopardize your current one, a headhunter can keep your search more confidential. If you want to relocate, a headhunter located in the areas, cities or countries you're considering, will have considerably more knowledge than you do about those sites than you could. It'll cost you, but may be worth the investment if you get the job and salary you want.
How do you find an honest headhunter? The internet has hundreds of websites from the one-guy office to international companies with multiple branches. I wouldn't advise going that route until you've exhausted all others, including your own independent job search. Your best way is to talk with others in your field who've had experiences with headhunters, both positive and negative.
If you belong to a professional association, check with its officials. As previously suggested, tell friends and advisors you're considering one or more specific headhunters. In addition to, or if you don't have any personal connections, try asking the question on the internet. You could get some interesting answers, and maybe one or two that can be useful in your job search. Remember, however, by putting your situation on the internet, you may be exposing your plans and personal information to people and organizations you'd rather keep out of it.
Qualified headhunters have their uses in appropriate job hunting situation. It is up to you to make the right choice about finding the right one for your purpose, or get up, get out and do the search on your own.
