Headhunters
A headhunter should only contact you as part of a search assignment that they are conducting.
These assignments are by their nature looking for the difficult-to-find candidates, and would normally happen as a result of :-
- Failed advertised campaigns
- Extreme urgency, generally caused by a critical resignation
- A need for discretion, either to avoid any bad publicity or to protect expansion plans and new market direction
- Insufficient or non-existent HR resource
- A desire to cover all possible recruitment options
If contacted by any headhunter our advice to you is :-
- Listen and take full contact details
- Arrange a telephone appointment at a mutually convenient time
- Pre-plan your questions
- Allow yourself at least 24 hours to think about the proposition
- If you follow it up then ensure that you follow the agreed timescales and you maintain contact with the consultant.
When we at .31.71 search for candidates, then we will, in the first instance, create a target list of suitably qualified individuals.
On initial contact we are looking for motive(s) more than appropriate skills. We will not tell you the client or the salary. We will give you an idea on title and location and then we will explain, briefly, the essence of the role and the skill sets we are searching for.
If that is not you then we will tell you so, We will then politely ask if we can keep your contact details for future reference and we will reciprocate. Most importantly we will ask you for referrals. Our attitude on this is quite straightforward. The chances are that your name has been referred to us, not as someone who is looking for another "job" or desperate to leave their present company but as someone who may have the skills required and/or are significant players in the sector within which we are recruiting.
There is a strong correlation between referring others and being referred.
Indeed we pride ourselves on our contacts within the electrical industry and our relationships with individuals, who switch from potential candidate to client and vice versa. Our understanding of our markets through regular business discussions maintains our credibility and ensures our success.
