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.