How to Find Headhunters: A Step-By-Step Guide

More than 50 percent of Americans are on the hunt for a new job. Are you one of them?

There are lots of job openings throughout the country right now, but it’s not always easy to find the position that’s right for you. This is where working with a headhunter can come in handy.

Never heard of a headhunter before? Not sure how to find the right one? Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to find a headhunter in your field.

What Is a Headhunter?

A headhunter often works for a third-party agency. Businesses hire these agencies to help them fill particular roles within their company. 

Often, headhunters are looking to fill roles right away. When they’re good at their jobs, they can place candidates very quickly, which is great for both the business and the person seeking employment.

Headhunters get paid after they’ve filled a particular position. This makes them very motivated to find the right candidate and ensure the people they’re placing pair well with the company’s values and goals.

Benefits of Working With a Headhunter

There are lots of advantages that come with working with a headhunter when you’re trying to find a new job. Some of the greatest benefits they can offer include the following:

  • Headhunters have lots of insider knowledge about your field and know how to make you sound appealing to potential employers
  • Working with a headhunter can give you access to a larger professional network, which can lead to more opportunities in the future
  • Headhunters are highly motivated and can help you get paired with the right employer right away

If any of these advantages sound good to you, it’s likely that you’ll benefit from teaming up with a headhunter as part of your search for a new and better position.

How to Find a Headhunter

You’re ready to work with a headhunter, but you might also be concerned about how you can get paired up with the right one. Here are some tips that will help you ensure you’re working with a good headhunter:

Update Your Resume

Before you begin reaching out to headhunters, it’s a good idea to make sure your resume is up to date. Supplying them with an outdated or poorly constructed resume makes their job a lot harder and can lead to you getting passed over for jobs for which you are one hundred percent qualified.

Sit down and take a look at your resume. Update it to include your most recent jobs if needed. Be sure to check for formatting and grammatical errors, too.

Update Your Social Media Profiles

Remember, in 2020, your social media profiles act as an extension of your resume. This is especially true of your LinkedIn profile.

Take a look at all of your social media platforms and ask yourself what they say about you as a candidate for a particular job. Do they demonstrate your abilities and value as an employee? Do they show that you’re an interesting and well-rounded person?

If you’re not happy with the way your social media profiles look, spend some time sprucing them up. Change your profile picture to something that looks professional and shows you in your best light. Update your personal information so that it contains keywords that are relevant to the types of jobs for which you’re applying.

Research Local Agencies

Now, you’re ready to reach out to headhunters. Do some research to learn about the headhunting agencies in your area. You can also look into independent headhunters who might be using sites like LinkedIn, as well as recruitment sites, to find people to place with their clients.

When you’re searching for an agency or individual headhunter, pay attention to the types of positions they specialize in filling. Do they seem like they have the knowledge and experience necessary to place you with the right company? 

You may want to check reviews and testimonials, too. This helps you to get an idea of how good they are at their job and how satisfied their clients seem afterward.

Reach Out

Once you have a shortlist of potential headhunting candidates, reach out to them. Most headhunters are very responsive to emails, phone calls, and social media messages, so there’s a good chance you’ll get a response back right away.

Send them a polite, friendly message letting them know that you’re looking for a new job and are interested in working with them. Include some information about yourself (not too much, as their time is limited) and let them know what makes you a great employee. Make sure they know the best way and time to reach you to respond to your message as well. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Follow Up

In many cases, headhunters are very responsive and can get positioned filled quickly once they have your resume and information. Don’t be afraid to follow up with them, though.

Sometimes, things get lost in the shuffle. Giving them a gentle nudge will help them stay focused on pairing you with a great company.

Following up also shows the headhunter that you have a genuine interest in finding a new position. It lets them know that you’re serious about your job search and are eager to start working.

When you’re following up, remember to be polite. You’ll have a much easier time getting the outcome you want if you remain professional.

Find a Great Headhunter Today

Working with a headhunter can help you find a new job more easily and ensure you’re paired with the right company. Now that you know how to find a headhunter in your field, it’s time to start your search.

Follow the guidelines listed above and you’ll have no trouble finding a great headhunter. You’ll be working your dream job before you know it!

Do you want to learn more about landing a great position or perhaps creating the perfect job for yourself if nothing seems like a good fit? If so, visit the Business section of our site today for some additional resources.

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