What do Headhunters do? The answer depends on which recruiter or agency you ask, but they are usually defined as recruiters who focus on highly specialized jobs and leadership positions. We’ll break down what the term means to us as a Professional Headhunting firm and what we can do for you. Before dispelling rumors, we polled our professional network on how they think Headhunters spend the majority of each day at work.
Those who answered “Calling Candidates” weren’t far off! Like most professionals, meetings are part of our workday, and we do send LinkedIn connection requests. However, we spend a significant portion of each day directly reaching out to and screening candidates.
What our Headhunters do:
What our Headhunters don’t do (common myths):
We do fill specialized roles for companies.
Internal hiring teams and recruiters who don’t offer specialized Headhunting may have a tough time filling certain roles. This is particularly true for filling leadership positions. Headhunters are equipped with the industry expertise and exclusive connections necessary to identify and recruit these specialized candidates. Some Headhunters work on a contingent basis (you don’t pay until you make the hire), while others charge an up-front retainer fee.
We do conduct confidential hiring searches.
Outsourcing your company’s recruiting process to Headhunters helps ensure that your search stays confidential. If you are seeking a replacement, this allows you to do so discreetly. Confidentiality is paramount when hiring a replacement executive, helping teams stay at ease during the process.
We do find candidates through strategic searches.
We start our strategic search process by building a well-rounded understanding of your company and the role(s) you need to fill. A traditional recruiter may send you candidates solely based on the skills and experience listed on resumes. As Headhunters, we take sourcing and screening further by delivering candidates who are a strong match for your company’s culture, ideals, and goals.
We do find exclusive opportunities for candidates.
In addition to helping companies hire, we are proud to help many specialized candidates who approach us find their next position. If we don't have a current opportunity for a job seeker, we may keep their information on file in case we find a strong fit for them in the future. A common thread between the roles Headhunters place is that they almost always involve walking on carpet. For candidates who work in industrial or retail environments, a more traditional employment agency may be able to help them find their next opportunity.
We do provide post-placement support.
If your company hires one of our candidates, we can help with things like onboarding and salary negotiation. Afterward, we’ll check in regularly to see how we can help with your hiring needs as they evolve. Whether your organization is expanding, restructuring, or you need hiring advice, we stay on top of your needs and present you with tailored solutions. Discover how support after the hire can help your company grow.
We don’t write resumes and cover letters.
It's a common misconception that Headhunters and recruiters write resumes and cover letters on behalf of candidates. We may optimize a candidate’s resume or remove personal information before sending it to a company, but we don’t offer this as a service. When it comes to cover letters, we may not even need to send one to a company. We typically present our candidates through conversations with hiring managers, offering a more direct approach than submitting documents online.
We don’t fill out job applications on behalf of candidates.
If you’re seeking a job, working with a Headhunter means approaching the application process in a personal way. Rather than looking for applications to submit your information to, we are already working with companies that are hiring. While you can apply to select jobs on our website, we still connect with you directly and present your information to employers directly.
We don’t make entry-level placements.
Headhunters look for highly experienced candidates who may not even be searching for their next job yet. Companies enlist us to fill roles with very specific requirements that entry-level candidates typically don’t meet. Some recruiters can help entry-level job seekers if their background lines up with the requirements for an open position, but Headhunters are tasked with positions that tend to be more challenging for employers to fill.
Is working with a headhunter right for you?
If you’re looking to fill Executive or other specialized positions at your company, we would love to learn how we can help. If you’re a leader or experienced professional seeking your next role, we would love to connect with you as well. Feel free to reach out to us online or call us at 651-383-2020.