Head Hunting firms

[jiacinto]

What are the good ones? And how do they work?

[Abe Linkman]

1. I can tell you all you want to know about them.

What kind of job are you looking for?

You can reach me at scorpiosees@hotmail


Are you looking for a similar position to what you have? Different industry? Career change? Unsure?

I'm not a recruiter. I'm a job hunter's consultant, and that is why I can tell you anything you want to know about retained search or contingency search firms.

[jiacinto]

2. I just sent you an email

nt

[Demobrat]

3. I have gotten several jobs through recruiters

but my industry is small and very incestuous (advertising), so specifics would be worthless to you. But whatever you do, don't give anybody any money. Reputable headhunters are paid by employers, not employees.

[Abe Linkman]

7. Do you know the names of any hhters who are paid by job hunters?

"Reputable headhunters are paid by employers, not employees."

Years ago, I knew of several firms that "sold" jobs, but they were entry level positions. In the past 10+ years, I've never heard of a "headhunter" who is paid by a job hunter.

Where did you hear about a "headhunter" that charges job hunters?

Thanks.

P.S. I personally know people who have gotten significantly higher compensation packages when they were hired directly, because the 30% recruitment fee didn't have to be paid, so they bargained for a better offer, and got it. The employer still came out ahead, versus paying a recruiter fee.

[mhr]

4. Maybe you are asking the wrong question?

There is no such thing as a good Head Hunter.

Head Hunters work either on a contingent or non-contingent basis.

A contingent search is one where the head hunter gets paid once a person is placed.

A non-contingent (retained) search is one where the head hunter is paid regardless of placement. In other words, if the candidate search turns up no candidates, the head hunter is still paid.

In today's market, most searches are contingent. Essentially this makes most placement firms nothing more than body shops. The companies have very specific criteria that need to be met before the head hunter will ever forward you for consideration.

The head hunter acts as a filter and sifts through thousands of resumes to find a needle in a haystack. If your resume does not meet all criteria, most likely it will be dismissed immediately. In this way, head hunters are not your friends.

Non-contingent searches are usually reserved for executive positions only. Most people will never qualify for consideration for these jobs because the job requirements are so strict. Regardless, the head hunter will not give you the time of day unless you have the proper pedigree.

To sum up, a head hunter is only a friend when you can help him make a buck. Otherwise expect no sympathy or support.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

10. Head hunters are paid by their client companies...

...and, quite properly, that's where their allegiance lies.

They're not supposed to be the candidate's "friend" but most of the really good ones will help you if they can. That's why they stay in business during recessions...people that they've helped remember who they are regardless of whether or not they've gotten a job through that head hunter's efforts.

Likewise, when clients change companies they will contact the good recruiters when they have positions that have to be filled.

Additionally, when clients are paying large sums of money to a recruiter, they do expect that recruiter to forward candidates with the required job skills. A recruiter cannot afford to refer candidates that fall short of the requirements because that client will start looking for a recruiter that can.

[mhr]

11. Don't Apologize For the System

I was merely telling it like it is.

Despite good skills and experience, I have found search firms useless because I do not fit into any easily defined categories.

MBA
BSEE
Commercial Pilot
Veteran ( US Naval Officer )

I have now been unemployed for 38 months!

Your mileage may vary.

[xJlM]

5. I've got a list of about fifty

If you're in injection molding or machine trades. Probably not much help, eh? I'm laid off right now, but I'm getting some important stuff done, so I'm not unhappy with it (yet). But the last I heard, things are not going really well for any trades in America right now. I hope it lasts long enough to fuck Bush like it did his poppy, but America needs to get back to work, me included.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

6. There are different types of recruiting firms...

...and this is a general discussion about how they work:

Executive Search Firms: These firms are the Mercedes of the recruiting world. Client companies seek the assistance of these firms when they need a REAL heavy hitter like a CEO, CFO, etc. Typically, the fee paid to one of thise firms is 33 and 1/3 percent of a first year's base salary divided into three monthly installments. Fees for these efforts can easily reach into the mid-six-figures based on the base compensation to be paid to the successful candidate.

Retained Recruiting Firms: These firms are paid a certain retainer fee upfront by the client company to help them find an individual with specific skills and abilities. The remainder of the fee will be paid to the recruiting firm after the successful candidate reports for work to the client company.

Contingency Firms: These recruiting firms are paid only if their client company hires one of the firm's candidates. A typical fee paid by the client company to the recruiting firm is anywhere from 15-35% of a starting base salary.

Contracting Firms: These firms place their candidates with the client company on a contractual basis. The client company pays the recruiting firm an hourly rate that is loaded with the candidate's hourly fee, admin costs, etc. Depending on the skill of the candidate involved and the work to be done, contracting fees can range anywhere from $25-$500 per hour.

Firms that require the candidate to pay them for their services: For a fee paid by the canididate, these firms promise you that they will HELP you find your next job (resume prep, interviewing skills, dressing properly for interviews), but they guarantee you nothing in return. Finding your next job is YOUR responsibility if you use one of these firms.

[KG]

8. if your looking for work. work the internet

post your resume all over the net. put an e-mail address on it. use a 'functional' resume. use your keywords in the first couple paragraphs. go to the state employment centers. devote at least 2 hrs a day to it.

http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/

http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker

www.monster.com

http://www.jobsearch.org/FL

http://findjobs.careers.flipdog.com/

if you're just out of school, you might not be 'headhunter' material yet.

[kodi]

9. jackie, he's right these are the best, ...also here.....

http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Employment_and_Work/Careers_and_Jobs/Jobs/

it has 100s of sites.

ps: glad you are taking my earlier advice about head hunters.

[davsand]

12. There is a difference between headhunters and employment agencies.

I don't know about other states, but in Illinios you have to have a state license to work for an employment agency. Anybody that wants to make the calls and do the schmoozing can be a headhunter or Recruiter. Headhunters can not change the applicant for the job unless they hold a state license (at least in Illinois).

A long time ago, in a different mindset, I was a headhunter. I made good money, but it is very high pressure work. It is straight commission, and you are selling a product you have no control on. If you set a guy up on an interview and he goes in wearing a wrinkled shirt and crappy slacks you can be out a lot of time and energy.

I had guys refuse job offers that they swore they'd kill for, and I had it happen that companies screwed me by hiring an applicant for a job other than the one the applicant went out on--and thus I didn't get paid.

I'm not defending the system--in fact I'll never use a headhunter, personally--but I can tell you that a headhunter CAN work a miracle if they see money in it. If you have a skill that is in demand, or if you have an academic background that is stellar, they can help a lot. Barring that, you are probably gonna do better networking with the other folks who do your job for other companies.

Just my two cents.

Laura

[GregW]

13. None.

Over 80% of jobs are found through networking ... headhunters/recruiters account for a small percentage.

(Disclaimer: I have used a retained recruiter to take me to my past two jobs - VP and Director. The higher up the food chain you go, the more they are useful. But ... BIG BUT ... most jobs are found through networking)