Top Seven Tips for Being Headhunted

Be visible - that means working in well-respected companies. Headhunters will not be hunting in second-rate organizations; their clients do not want headhunters to present candidates from them and rarely consider candidates from 'independent consultants'.
Be outstanding at what you do and leverage your success. Be your own best PR. Speak at public events, be quoted in trade/national press - be the industry expert and the one people consult. Reputation is key.
Be well regarded (not necessarily liked) by everyone you come into contact with. Don't make enemies. Headhunters may use your colleagues or employees as a source and may even take notice of what your former PA says about how you conduct yourself.
Be easy to identify - have a sensible title ('VP' or 'Director' does not help headhunters at all), be prominent on the web/annual report. Make sure the trail leads to your door!
Prime your PA not to filter out headhunter calls. He/she should be working for you, not your organization.
Go to the headhunters! If they can't find you and don't know you, they can't headhunt you. Do you know who the top headhunters are in your space? If you don't know them, they almost certainly don't know you. Call them up and introduce yourself - you then have thirty seconds to make the right impression. Be a friend and give help and information when it is needed (you scratch my back ...). Feed them industry gossip.
Once you have been approached there is still a long way to go; you still have to impress the headhunter. This is a buyers' market (i.e. client, not candidate driven); never forget they have a choice: Invest in your own personal brand and be prepared to differentiate yourself.

Career Planning Job Search Solutions Free Stuff Contact Us		with FutureVisions^SM creating sustainable results in growth and performance Be visible - that means working in well-respected companies. Headhunters will not be hunting in second-rate organizations; their clients do not want headhunters to present candidates from them and rarely consider candidates from 'independent consultants'. Be outstanding at what you do and leverage your success. Be your own best PR. Speak at public events, be quoted in trade/national press - be the industry expert and the one people consult. Reputation is key. Be well regarded (not necessarily liked) by everyone you come into contact with. Don't make enemies. Headhunters may use your colleagues or employees as a source and may even take notice of what your former PA says about how you conduct yourself. Be easy to identify - have a sensible title ('VP' or 'Director' does not help headhunters at all), be prominent on the web/annual report. Make sure the trail leads to your door! Prime your PA not to filter out headhunter calls. He/she should be working for you, not your organization. Go to the headhunters! If they can't find you and don't know you, they can't headhunt you. Do you know who the top headhunters are in your space? If you don't know them, they almost certainly don't know you. Call them up and introduce yourself - you then have thirty seconds to make the right impression. Be a friend and give help and information when it is needed (you scratch my back ...). Feed them industry gossip. Once you have been approached there is still a long way to go; you still have to impress the headhunter. This is a buyers' market (i.e. client, not candidate driven); never forget they have a choice: Invest in your own personal brand and be prepared to differentiate yourself.
		 For a list of the top 10 mistakes send an email to bs@futurevisions.org with "MWS JobSearch Top 10 Mistakes" in the subject and nothing in the body  For support in your transition, work with Dianna!