How To Handle Headhunters (Executive Recruiters)
March 20th, 2006We hate to use the name headhunters rather than recruiters, because Mark never liked that term when it was applied to him. But it’s a pretty common nickname for a group that is playing an increasingly important role in career management today. The World is Flat has taught us that no job is safe (note even fast food order takers!). Companies are no longer taking responsibility for your career. Tom Peters believes in a Brand Called “You”. Your career and its transitions are IN YOUR HANDS. You can’t call yourself a smart manager if you don’t know how to create the right relationship with recruiters in your industry.
Over the next two shows, we’ll tell you EXACTLY how to handle it when a recruiter calls you. There’s a right way to do this, and over NINETY PERCENT of managers fail at miserably. It’s not hard, and we lay it all out here. We’ll tell you some basic things you need to know about recruiters, the guidelines for the first call, and the key questions to ask THEM. As well, we share how to actually address their specific request, and then how to maintain a relationship with them after the call if you care to.
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March 22nd, 2006 at 12:22 am
Hey guys - just listening this show on headhunting and found it quite timely.
I recently received an email from an ex-manager of my current employer asking to “catch up for coffee” - he’s a good guy, I hadn’t seen him for awhile, so I went. I didn’t really have any preconvieved notion this would turn out to be a head-hunting operation but as I sat waiting for him at the local Starbucks the thought crossed my mind.
Sure enough, after a brief “so hows the office? this is what I’ve been up to” conversation came the innocent enquiry of “so we’re looking to expand and grow - and I thought of you…”.
Normally it’d would have been taken positively, and whilst it was in this instance, I also had a sense of “this startup might be onto a good thing, but they sound technically disorientated” - which in and of itself might be a good thing for me - to be able to bring some order and process to a fledgling organisation.
The conversation however came to an abrupt uncomfortable silence as I was asked “so what do you think? Interested?” Now, I’m not one that takes change easily, if asked a year ago I would likely said yes instantly but now - my current job has turned itself around and the company is a good place to work, and once again enjoyable. So even thou I’m not currently in the market, I’m also no longer in the headspace of wanting to walk.
I had no response for him, I wasn’t about to say yes, but I also hadn’t had any time to even think about it. Even after telling him this an uncomfortable silence remained for 3-4 minutes as thou we were both waiting for someone to somehow end the meeting.
Now, I’m not actually sure what I’m asking you guys, maybe its a generic question on the best ways to actually deal with these kinds of situations where you can’t just say “no thanks ” and hangup on them. I’ve not heard back from the guy and nor have I folllowed it up yet.
Anyway, look forward to the next show…
March 22nd, 2006 at 10:11 am
may i give you feed back .
if yes, then read on.
if no, read later.
thanks for your shows. I’ve discovered you only 2 days ago, and you give good advice, good exemple ( I ‘ve haven’t listened all your shows yet, only 3).
May i suggest that you speak (only some times) a little bit slower.
the web is international, and i’m sure many listeners are not fluent in english.
For my self, i’m french and some words are unknonw to me.
thanks you very much
eric
March 23rd, 2006 at 9:28 am
Mark,
I copied your post over to the forums and responded there. We have a lot of smart folks on the forums and I’m sure your question will get some additional attention. Here’s the link to the forum post.
regards,
Mike
March 23rd, 2006 at 9:30 am
Eric,
Good point! We appreciate our international audience and being native English speakers, we need to keep the language challenge better in mind.
thanks!
Mike
March 25th, 2006 at 12:12 am
I listened to this podcast as soon as it came out and reflected on how poorly I’d dealt with recruiters in the past. It provided me with some fresh insight both from a networking standpoint and on seeing a recruiters call as the “first interview”. Yesterday I received a suprise call from a recruiter so the timing was perfect.
Thanks for providing a great resource.
March 25th, 2006 at 10:36 pm
[…] I’m a longtime listener to the Manager Tools Podcasts, and they are great (even for non-managers). Their most recent episode is a great one for us jobseekers. In this episode, they cover the topic of executive recruiters/”headhunters” and how to deal with them. […]
March 28th, 2006 at 2:58 am
Nicholas-
Glad it was so helpful AND well timed. Frankly, it’s little stuff like this that irritates Mike and I, that so little knowledge can make such a huge difference. It’s not like anyone’s been teaching this stuff anywhere.
That’s why we’re here - and when we get notes like yours, it makes it all worth it.
Stay in touch and let us know how we do in the future.
It’s a privilege to do this for you,
Mark
March 28th, 2006 at 4:19 am
Through the years, I have learned two vital things about recruiters. First, just as you mentioned, I may need them someday so I’m not losing their contact information. Secondly, believe it or not, sometimes, when others (that don’t “like” my management style are recruited and) are asked the infamous ” do you know anyone else that might be looking” question, my name pops up. Sending a recruiter to my manager because I dream of him leaving the company? Hmmmm??? Wouldn’t that say more about me than my manager? Anyway, haven’t yet gotten through the latest podcast but couldn’t resist commenting.
August 18th, 2006 at 9:33 am
I’ve listened to your “Your Resume Stinks!” podcast and your headhunters podcasts several times. While I’ve been meaning to update my resume for years I just never seemed to finish it. I used your model and liked what I saw so much that I’ve decided to enter the job search market. I love my job. I love management. organizing teams, setting and achieving goals, even more so now that I have manager-tools tips and techniques. And I want more than I my current employer will be able to offer me. I need to move on. I’m in no hurry and can take plenty of time to find the right opportunity and right fit for me.
The problem is I live overseas. Hence I never get cold calls from headhunters and do not have an existing relationship with anyone like that who can help me in my job search. How do I find a good “headhunter” so I can begin to develop a relationship?
Peggy
August 20th, 2006 at 11:51 pm
Peggy-
We have a cast coming up to address reaching out to headhunters, and one about international slots as well. It may be 4-6 weeks, but it will address both issues.
Also… do others know what you want? This forum might be a good place to dip a toe in the water, if you are so inclined.
Mark
September 18th, 2006 at 1:52 pm
Mark,
I’m not sure what you mean. I could be inclined to dip a toe in the water but I’m not sure what are you suggesting?
The quick and dirty resume: Currently working in international development in management, have a strong financial background, over 20 years experience, and foreign language capacity. I’m looking for an organization that has a true mission and goals and has a solid management structure (of which I am part) with the capacity to achieve those goals.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Peggy
September 19th, 2006 at 9:05 pm
Peggy-
Send me a private message if you like, and tell me more.
Thanks,
Mark
December 23rd, 2006 at 12:23 am
Mark or Michael,
I love your podcasts - they’ve been phenomenally helpful. I’ve shared your website with both other managers as well as direct reports. The podcasts help us all find a common foundation for moving forward as an organization.
On the particular subject of executive recruiters - do you have one in the Dallas area specializing in IT Executives that you would recommend?
Thanks in advance for your time and help,
Christie
March 17th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Mark & Michael, thanks for the great content.
Any recommendations for recovering a botched introduction with a recruiter that i was refered to? After listening to the podcasts (from the archives), I did just about everything poorly at first contact. Net- (for the High-Ds)- try to recover or start clean with someone unknown?
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:20 am
DTaylor-
Sure! Just call him back and apologize and ask to start over. Tell him you’ve had a mentor share with you how important relationships with recruiters are, and recognize now your stupidity.
Listen to the cast again, then how to apologize, and pick up the phone.
No worries!
Mark
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Thanks Mark. I’m stunned by the valuable content (perhaps invaluable) you guys are providing, and have shared with friends and colleagues. Thanks so much. Drew
March 22nd, 2007 at 1:37 pm
drew-
Our pleasure. One of our goals is “stunned.” Thanks for sharing.
Mark
June 4th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Mark & Michael,
I thought you might want to take a look at this post on /.:
http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/05/31/1333256&threshold=2
I’m really amazed at how misguided the advice is, and also how inflamed many people become about recruiters.
Of course, now that I’ve listened to your podcast, I’ll have relationships with the recruiters and I’ll just laugh at those people that can’t figure out why they have trouble either finding jobs or good hires.
Thanks for you podcasts!
- Steve
June 4th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Steve-
Yes, the ranting is fairly common for the tech community. I can think of ten polite, professional ways that those folks could handle this situation…but the tenor of that debate makes it not worth it.
Oh well. Lucky us.
Mark