Getting On The Headhunter’s Radar

As an executive search professional, I am often asked how to get the attention of people in my field who are working on VP and Chief level positions for clients.

One area to make clear is that executive search professionals are similar to realtors who look for the listing. “Headhunters” or executive search professionals work for companies and companies engage these professionals to find niche talent. Executive Search professionals are not in business to find people jobs. They are working on the company behalf to find that niche executive, just like finding the “needle in the haystack.”

I know this will sound self-serving but Headhunters want to engage with people who are valuable to them during the specific search project they are working on.

Now that you have that understanding, here is how I would attempt to form a long lasting relationship with a Headhunter:

1) Make sure the executive search professional works in your career sector. Once you understand if they do, take the executive search professional out for a brief coffee and offer your resume for a future fit. Seeing you as a candidate makes your resume come to life.

2) Be available to offer names that could be potential fits for future search projects. Tell the executive search professional that you would enjoy being on their list of go-to resources for referring top talents within your sector.

3) Ask for help and a professional opinion from an executive search professional. Recently a person I placed in a an executive position years ago was changing jobs and asked for my opinion on how to develop a win-win strategy of negotiating his new offer package. I was honored that this executive used my experience to help him. I bet he will use my firm’s services in the next job he is in.

4) Check in at least on a yearly basis with the executive search professional. Keep in front of him or her. You never know if tomorrow the right opportunity for you will surface. Stay on their radar.

Remember that this is a give and take, long term relationship. People who have helped me in the past are going to be helped by me throughout their long career. All they have to do is ask.

2017-07-15T02:06:02-05:00By sbalistreri|Austin Executive Search Firms, Candidate Communication|

“As a search committee member, we selected Sal's firm to help us with a key CEO search. They made the process painless both for the candidates and our search committee. We made the right choice and Sal's team delivered.”

Michael Bennett, Head of the APRO Search Committee, APRO Search Committee

“Sal specializes in executive search and has delivered some outstanding results for Silvercar. He has assembled a great team and they conduct searches the way it should be done – from scratch! He understands the importance of not only finding the right skill set, but also finding the right cultural match. He does his homework before he starts and does it well. Sal has jumped through hoops for me and delivered great results. He provides personalized service from start to finish and won’t stop until you are satisfied. I highly recommend that you consider Sal and his team for your next search.”

Kay Stroman, Former Chief Administrative Officer, Silvercar

“Sal was definitely a huge asset in our recruiting efforts. He spent a lot of time getting to know our culture and understanding the values that were essential to the makeup of of our team. Sal is a great partner and I certainly recommend him and his firm to anyone looking to recruit a great team. You will not be disappointed!”

Craig Taylor, Former CEO, Cirrus Systems

“Sal clearly understands the culture of the client and clearly understands the REAL person behind the candidate. This allows him to best match clients and candidates because he sees beyond their words and understands their real talents and value systems. Sal also has the ability to present a candidate because he is committed to her/him and their talents and values they could bring to the job. He is even MORE committed to the client’s analysis of the candidate so that he learns from any rejection of a candidate in order to fine-tune the search for the next better candidate.”

Vickey Thayer Kleinsmith, Former Vice President Human Resources, Lozier Corporation

“I appreciate the fact that Sal takes not only the job requirements into account, but he also considers culture and “fit”. These are rare and valuable traits for a recruiter and that is one of the many reasons that we love working with Sal.”

Debbie Mitchell, President/CEO, Velocity Credit Union

“Sal is able to communicate our company culture and organic growth strategy and along with his high level of responsiveness, is a great partner to work with.”

Karen Ganzlin, Former Chief Human Resources Officer, TD Ameritrade

"Sal and his team are awesome partners in our success. His team has taken the time to become part of our team so that they understand the "fit" component of our hiring process that includes the mission, vision and values and most importantly, our culture."

Scotte Hudsmith, Chairman & CEO , Specialized Dental Partners

“Consider Sal if you need a recruiter for key management positions and C-Level searches. Sal is very focused on finding the right person for the right position. He produces solid candidates across a variety of industries and will personally work with his clients to help them achieve success in hiring. He is a seasoned expert, well networked and very responsive.”

Kurt Halvorson, President, Imprimis, LLC

“Sal and his team offered a great process with a very good long term result for Lozier. It was a process made easy for our team to meet all the candidates in a short period of time and come to a conclusion.”

Sheri Andrews, Co-Chair, Lozier Corporation

“Sal is one of those rare business executives who truly believes in the power of ‘doing well by doing good.’ He is generous to a fault with his time and his network. He spends his professional capital to help others in his community with no eye towards personal gain.”

Cat Nawawi, President, The Highland Group

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