Why using a headhunter is a no brainer

First, let's get the stigma out of the way. Gone are the days when "headhunter" conjures up images of tricky insincere used car salesman types. The term has lost its stigma - and we now also refer to these folks as professional or executive recruiters. A positive twist on what many employers and prospective employees would arguably say is the best investment they could ever make.

So, as a prospective employee, what are the benefits of using a headhunter? Well, there are a few things to consider to getting you on the right path.

What about general recruitment firms? Many large companies hire recruitment firms on retainer to recruit the best person for an open position. The firm is paid for the search whether the opening is actually filled or not. On the other hand, contingency recruiters work on numbers and are motivated by payment for actual placements. These days highly ethical, skilled, contingency firms step toe to toe with retained search firms. Sounds good so far, but not terribly exciting or appealing.

And then, there are job boards. You may say, now we're talking. Some say you get the best results here - and there are well over 200 of these in Australia alone. Though, for the seeker it may not be as easy as it seems and unaided can take months.

For instance, on a typical Monday, the peak day for job search, literally hundreds of thousands of people are job searching online talent sites. On that same day, thousands of corporate recruiters are sifting through millions of profiles and resumes.

Others say online job boards are simply ineffective. Often, postings are out of date or the job ads are fake and simply used to fish for available talent.

But wait! Somebody must be benefiting from these job boards. Well, apparently an impressive 72% of professional recruiters used job boards for sourcing purposes in 2008.

And still others prefer personal referrals, word of mouth. Going that route can be effective if you're well connected and have a strong network.

Bottom line - effective job searching, via job boards or otherwise, takes skill and effort and for the average person can be daunting and time intensive. For the average company it takes savvy and skill to determine what the right approach is and then to thoroughly understand how to effectively maximise the various media - traditional, social or job board sites - even word of mouth. Recruiting firms can simplify the process, as they are skilled on both sides of the hiring process.

Ok, so where does that leave us with our opening line - why is using a headhunter a no brainer?

• There is no cost to the job seeker and recruiters minimise and focus your efforts. Recruiters work on your behalf. Acquaint the recruiter with your skills and preferences. And, you can also get a feel for the recruiter.
• Recruiters pound the pavement for you. Good recruiters know how to quickly navigate job boards, have professional connections with human resources managers and as your agent will sell your skills directly to decision-makers.
• Recruiters can negotiate the best salary. For a variety of reasons (including reputation), recruiters are motivated to obtain a salary based on what the market will bear. And, they have a good sense of how far to push on this important point.
• A recruiter can help you improve your interview skills. It's part of their pay-back. Recruiters have a good feel for the types of questions you will face in interviews with various employers.
• A large percentage of jobs are unpublished or "hidden". In addition to public competitive processes, working with a headhunter is potentially one of the few ways you’ll have access to this hidden job market.
• Recruiters join forces. Recruiters do cooperate. If a recruiter doesn’t have the ideal position for you, another recruiter might. After all, the primary driver is to get you a job and make the employer happy. This way, all parties win.
• Protect your confidentiality. In the new era of social media, it's more difficult to conduct stealth manoeuvres when you're searching for a new job, especially if your resume is posted on job boards. Don't burn bridges unless absolutely necessary.

Admittedly, working with a headhunter is not what many of us are used to. But regardless of whether you're a newbie to the workplace or a seasoned veteran, going the recruiter route can be a great option to finding that next great job. Why not free yourself from the impersonal and, at times, grueling traditional and online job search?

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