Should I Use a Headhunter?
Dear Alex: I’ve been told to use a headhunter for my job search, but no headhunters are calling me. Should I look for one, and how?
In general, I don’t think headhunters are that helpful for candidates in their twenties with minimal job experience. However, if you have highly specialized expertise or a rare skill set that’s in demand (for example, you are a database designer), a headhunter may be able to help you find the right position.
How can you choose a headhunter who will work effectively for you? If you are seeking employment in a specific industry, consider using a headhunter who works in that industry. If you belong to a professional association they may be able to provide a list of recruiters. Use recruiting online directories to generate a list of recruiters. The Recruiters Online database is searchable by over 150 specialties, as well as by location and keyword. Jobfactory also has listings by career field, while i-Recruit.com has a directory of recruiters listed by specialty and by location.
Tagged as career planning, headhunter,
job hunting, recruiter.
Alexandra Levit
Alexandra Levit’s goal is to help people find meaningful jobs - quickly and simply - and to succeed beyond measure once they get there. A former nationally syndicated columnist for the Wall Street Journal and a current contributor for Fortune and Metro US, Alexandra has authored several books, including the bestselling They Don't Teach Corporate in College, How'd You Score That Gig?, Success for Hire, MillennialTweet, and New Job, New You. Her book on the top myths of business success is due out from Penguin/Berkley in the fall of 2011. Since serving as a member of Business Roundtable's Springboard Project, which advised the Obama administration on current workplace issues, Alexandra produced the critically acclaimed JobSTART 101 (www.jobstart101.org), a free online course that better prepares college students and graduates for the challenges of the workplace. She is a frequent national media spokesperson and has been featured in thousands of outlets including the New York Times, USA Today, National Public Radio, ABC News, Fox News, CNBC, the Associated Press, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan. In 2010, she was named Money Magazine's Online Career Expert of the Year and the author of one of Forbes' best websites for women. Known as one of the premiere spokespeople of her generation, Alexandra regularly speaks at conferences, universities, and corporations around the world including the American Society for Training and Development, Campbell's Soup, McDonalds, and Whirlpool — on issues facing modern employees such as how to communicate effectively between generations.
