Jobworksaz.com - Job Seeker Tips

How Headhunters Can Help Your Career
By Joyce Lain Kennedy

Dear Joyce: Can you recommend several excellent recruiting firms -- address, telephone number and e-mail address? -- F.F.

Dear F.F.: Headhunters who chauffeur managers into the nation's top companies are having the worst year in a decade, but light is beginning to break on the horizon, according to "BusinessWeek."

Looking at Next Year Why the "Glimmers of Hope on the Hiring Front," as the magazine headlines its story? This is the time of year when companies plan next year's budgets and reckon with the need to hire employees for their fresh initiatives, as well as trade in weak links for top talent -- especially talent that can boost sales and cut expenses.

Honchos in Demand For clues to the high-end jobs that recruiters' clients still want to fill, search on "The Eleven Hottest Jobs in a Down Economy" on the Web site of recruiters Christian & Timbers.

Red-carpet Intros As a reader recently reported in this space, some companies that are flooded with résumés are refusing to pay a headhunter's fee. That means it's possible to find yourself at a disadvantage if you come with a price tag and your competition doesn't.

Although not universally true, contingency search firms are most often used for junior- and mid-level managers. Retained firms typically hire on to fill high-level positions.

Contingency firms are placement-oriented, focusing chiefly on job seekers who are actively hunting for new employment. Retained firms traditionally go after potential candidates who are not in the active job market (the jargon is "passive" candidates).

Seeking pay for performance, contingency firms may be more proactive in finding a new position for you while retained firms' ears will pick up only if they have a search for your type of job and see you as a prime prospect. Superior talent stays in the databases of both types of recruiters.

Retained firms ordinarily present two to four candidates to the client, being highly selective in who makes the short-list.

Contingency firms usually don't have exclusive agreements with clients, and you can assume you'll be among a larger group of prospects presented.

In targeting recruiters, zero in on those who fill jobs in your industry, function and salary range, no matter where they are. Although some recruiting firms tend to work regionally, a firm in Denver may have assignments in Chicago.

Finding Recruiters Both print and online directories make locating search firms easier than ever.

The Directory of Executive Recruiters is the original and most comprehensive annual paper directory. Its Executive Agent online product will, for $99, send your résumé and cover letter to a list of both contingency and retained recruiters that fit your search criteria (function, industry, salary range). You may or may not receive telephone calls from the search firms. No guarantees are made, but the company enjoys a good reputation.

Online free recruiter directories include Oya's; Recruiters Online Network; Recruiter's Network; Riley Guide Directories of Recruiting Firms.

Send career questions for possible use in this column to Joyce Lain Kennedy at Box 368, Cardiff, CA 92007, or e-mail her at jlk@sunfeatures.com. Sorry, the volume of mail makes personal replies impossible.